Matt
In order to make the most out of the college experience, a number of things need to happen. For the student, they need to understand the importance of what they are doing. College is not high school any more and their success or failure can have large ramifications for the rest of their life. They need to give their studies the appropriate amount of priority so that they do not incur large amounts of debt to themselves and their parents just to fail out of school. Conversely, students also need to recognize that in attending college, they have a support group built in around them. Teachers, councilers and most importantly, other student can be an invaluable resource in dealing with stress, time management, finances and other problems they might run into. For parents, the best thing they can do is stand back and let their child fail or succeed with minimal intervention. If you help too much, the student will never work as hard as they can and will stay relient on their parents. They can ask for help from any number of sources, but the parents should let their child get their own help and solve their own problems.
Asher
Socialize your first year and make friends in your field. Now that Ive graduated all of my friends live in Los Angeles and we all help eachother and have fun together on a weekly basis. They where the key in my education because in my field of study contacts are life. The school prepaired me for this and so the transition after graduating was easier.
Linda
College only lasts for four or five years of your life, so it's best to really buckle down now and work hard while you can. Don't get too distracted by partying or dating; there will be plenty of time for that later. Do your research before choosing a college, but more importantly, just make the best of it while you're there.
Yidi
Don't worry so much. Visit campuses, but don't be overly concerned with all the little things. If it feels right, it probably is. Seriously, relax. Life is too short to spend worrying about all the mistakes you might make -- stressing out causes more mistakes than anything else. Have fun.
Christina
While visiting the college is escential to feeling and understanding the college experience, I would also recommend using the wonders of Facebook to get a little closer to the real deal. Find someone who looks genuine and easy to talk to who has attended your school of choice for a while. Tell them who you are and that you're seriously considering attending the school. Chances are thether they've really enjoyed their experience or not so much, they are most likely going to be completely truthful to you as they can relate to the position you're in at the moment. All college students went through the decision process, so talking to a current student is a good source of truthful advice and information.
Once you've been enrolled I recommend being really friendly and open to everyone, even if that goes against your nature. Networking is a very important especially in an industry where jobs may be a little less than promised. Being openly friendly provides oppoturnities because you never know who can become your future best friend, your future wife or husband, or your future boss!
Cordelia
Make sure that you choose a college that is well certified and knowledgeable in the major that you are planning to pursue. You always want to attend a college that is able to cater your needs of learning in the field that you choose. Research your college choices to find out important information: cost for attendance, financial aid availibility, statistics on graduating seniors with jobs in their field, and school curriculem. You want find which college best suits you and your family. After choosing the right college I encourage students to learn as much as possible while still having good, clean fun by participating in college activities and functions so that you can meet new people while networking. Attending different functions can easily connect you to people in the work industry that affiliate with your field of study who can assist you in which direction to take upon graduation.
Alexandra
As a life altering decision, enrolling in college can be intimidating. The simplest and unstressful process for me was to take it step by step. I began with simple research and looked at several factors such as what programs are offered, tuition cost, population of the student body, and finally what the campus looked like. After looking at several schools, including SCAD and College for Creative Studies, I foudn that distance was the detirmining factor in my choice. Not only was Savannah further than Detroit, but it was also a setting which I have never experienced. I have lived my entire life in and out of Detroit , and found I needed a new environment to let my art explore new boundaries. While I have been at SCAD, boundaries have been explored and trespassed. The atmosphere of students studying in coffee shops and spending nights in their studios gave an ambience of commitment and detirmination. Students and faculty at SCAD are detirmined to succeed, while also enjoying his or her favorite espresso or tea. I am satisfied and very happy with my choice of SCAD and will continue to stay up late in the local coffee shops or in my studio.
Melissa
Pick the college you feel like you would get the most out of, and where you really want to go, no matter what the cost! It will be well worth it!
Mario
The choice to continue one's education after high school is a very important decision that should be determined by several factors. First one must look at economic needs. Can you earn a comfortable level of income with no college education? Can you afford to pay back student loans with your predicted salary after graduation? Another factor to consider when thinking about college is diligence. Is the student patient and diligent enough to stick through their course of study for the entire time. Dropping out of college is an enormous waist of money. The most important factor though would be personal choice. If you really want to get a degree and land your dream job then nothing should stop you, not even financial burdens. In my case, I'm in my last year of school and up until now I was smooth sailing. Now though, I can't balance working part-time and getting my portfolio together. As a result I have to live below my needs and sacrifice comfort only to replace it with the satisfaction that at the end of the year I'll be finished and able to get paid doing something I love.
Lauren
There are so many things to think about when you look for a college; size, location, classes offered... but in the end, if you aren't happy at the school, you won't do well, and you won't have passion for whatever degree you're going for. Make sure that you visit all the campuses of the colleges you apply to in order to get a feel for the atmosphere of the college. If you think the campus is too big, or too cold, or too whatever, there is another college out there that is better. Don't settle for any campus simply for convenience. As far as making the most of your college experience, it's simple. Don't skip classes, make smart decisions concerning drugs and alcohol, get your work in on time, try your best in everything, and have fun. You'll make tons of friends from your classes and dorms, and they will be some of the most important support you will have at college. Just always remember that you're at college to better yourself and learn, but you can find a college where you will love learning.