Rhode Island School of Design Top Questions

What should every freshman at Rhode Island School of Design know before they start?

Sae

Close you eyes and if you could visualize yourself succesful and happy and what you will be doing, than that is the field you belong to. Don'try to go to college because everybody else is going. Pick your own choice with your own standard. HIghshool friends never stay long. Good Luck

Diana

Before choosing a specialist school like RISD, make sure that it's absolutely what you want to do. You will get a great education, but very little diversity when it comes to careers and people. It's important to make sure that you are not too different from the people at the school, as it becomes difficult to make friends. Remember that academics are the most important, but there are variations out of the tier of school that you are able to get into. Out of these schools, consider the social life. As for making the most out of the college experience, I know some people who consider making friends and connections to be more important than their classes, and some people who never leave their studios. I know it's cliche advice to tell people to have fun more in college, but both ways are not necessarily wrong. You can be truly goal focused and work your ass off trying to acheive that goal, but remember that you may be missing out on many great experiences.

Arielle

College is a doorway to your child's future. It gives them experiences they might not have forseen, asks them questions they might have never encountered, and pushes them to work for themselves and prove their worth to society. Students, make the best of your college years. They go by pretty quick. It's important to remember to keep a balance between your social life and your education. Don't be the student who parties too much and doesn't get any work done, but also don't be the student who is always in his/her room studying and never leaving. Make sure you engage with others, share ideas, have fun together, make friends, friends who will be with you for life. In essence, college is your last moment, last breathe in time, until you let it out and join the real world.

Kyle

Choose according to location and your personal feeling about the school.

Rebecca

its really expensive. you will learn a lot and never ever ever sleep

Azur

When picking a college make sure to think of your past, present and future. The location of the school is imporant, if your from Arizona and move some where very cold are you going to be happy? look at the culture of the kids you will be in school with. All schools have things one will like and not like make sure to figure out what is truely important to you now. But keep in mind you are going to school for a reason so alway have your furture in the fore frount of your mind which picking schools.

Kristine

Don't worry so much about the money. Yes, it is expensive, and yes loans suck. But sometimes a school that costs more means that you will earn more after you graduate. You need to take that into account (average alumni starting salary) when considering which option is best. So many people pick a crappier school because it's cheaper - and that might not be true in the long run. The saying of "those schools are just as good" is nonsense, because it is a different environment, with different students, resources, professors, and connections. That said, some expensive schools have an low average first year salary for alumni - so check, don't assume.

Huong

finding out who you are and defining your own terms. finding your purpose in life. the different people you'll meet and how they will impact you. lifelong friends. the desire for knowledge. Have Fun

Amelia

Picking a college that fits your personality is hard to do when all the colleges you look at are trying to sell themselves. The best thing to do is decide on specific qualities you want your school to have so that you can look further than the glossy advertisements that all the schools are sending you. Be involved in the process; decide what size, what location, and what activities you are interested in. Once you are accepted in a school, whether or not it is your first choice, find places and people there that make you feel comfortable. Keep thinking positive. It takes time to settle into a new environment, but if you stick with your choice and keep moving forward, you can take control of the situation. Overall, the best thing to do is to stay positive and stay involved.

Elie

Many college students really don?t have a clear reason for being there other than the fact that they don?t know what else to do yet. They inherit goals from family and peers which aren?t truly their own. Once you know why you?re going to college, imagine your ideal outcome. Let it flow outward from the reason you?re there. Whether you?ve already started college or not, stop and simply write down some attributes of your ideal experience. Describe it in as much detail as you can. Get to know your academic adviser. This is the person who will help you with course conflicts, adding or dropping courses, scheduling of classes for future semesters, deciding on major finaly Get Organized. In high school, the teachers tended to lead you through all the homework and due dates. In college, the professors post the assignments -- often for the entire semester -- and expect you to be prepared. Buy an organizer, a PDA, a big wall calendar -- whatever it takes for you to know when assignments are due.