Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

I would tell students entering college that finding the right college will not be easy, but you will know it when you have found it. Also, when you do choose a school that you feel is "the school for you", don't assume that things will be perfect right away. Just because you are at the school that you want to be at, that doesn't mean you won't have trouble. There will still be feelings of anxiety or homesickness. I went through it myself. There may be times that you feel you made the wrong choice. So my best advice would be to enjoy college the best you can. Find that balance between studying and social life. Yes, you will be faced with challenges that you have never faced before and and yes, there will be the times when you just want to go home, but enjoy it. You must study and must work hard, but you also have to make time to have fun. That is the only way you will ever get the most out of your college experience.

My best advice to parents and their students is to look at all schools located around you and never to be stuck on one. Check out different schools; ask questions; examine the courses; and see the types of people who attend. Keep your options open to new things during your adventure to finding the perfect college. One should find the campus they feel most comfortable at and find the people they feel most comfortable around. If you find one you like, do not obsess over it - keep it in mind and keep looking. You need a place where you can start to be educated for the career that will be the rest of your life.

My advice would be to make sure you have good time mamangement skills. If you want to have a great social life and a great academic life it is best to balance these to. Make sure to have all your school work done before you go out to get the best college experience. Also, when looking for a college make sure they have a program they are interested in and that you feel comfortable at the school. Ultimately, it is your decision on where you go, not anyone elses -- don't let them decide for you. Also, I would reccomment eating in the dining hall to test out the food and get a feel for the student population before attending the school.

Parents: Don't force your kids to choose what you want. You need to let them grow up and make their own decisions. Only give them advice, don't force your choice on them. Students: Even though in the end, where you go to school is your choice, listen to your parents advice and consider it. This is a hard time for them as well. With that said, never let them force you to go to school where they want you too. Remember, choose wisely, this is the place where you will live, love, and learn for the next four years. I made the wrong choice, make sure you make the right one.

Students: Do not let your parents sway your decision. You will have to live, learn, and attend this school for four years. It is your choice. Parents: Give your students your opinion, but dont push them in any direction. In the end, where they attend school is their decision. Ask questions that are your concern, like Question about Financial. Otherwise, hang back and let your student take the reigns.

Please take a tour of the school in the winter. The campus might feel and look nice in the spring and fall but winter is very different. Also, if possible, try to spend a night there and talk to different types of students. Sitting in on a class or two of different sizes is also a good option. All in all make sure that the choice you make it what is best for the student. They are the one's that are going to have to live and be successful there.

Students need to first take into consideration their own unique personalities. Does the student enjoy large social gatherings, or do they prefer smaller, quieter situations? This will narrow the choice down to a specific campus size, because an individual who does not enjoy large social gatherings will not be happy in a school where they are only considered a number. Next, if the student has an idea of what area they would like to study, even if they do not know the exact major, be sure to find a school which is pronounced in that area. This could be sciences, education, or business, and so on. Finally, tour the campus, talk to the faculty, and students who attend, and get their opinions. To gain the most from the college experience students should be sure to communicate with professors. Professors are only there to help the students learn, and not enough students take advantage of the knowledge which professors have to offer outside of class. You can learn a great deal from friends as well. Students should be open to meeting new people. You can make friends that will last a lifetime in the few years you are in college.

Sometimes the places where you think you would fit in the most and have the best times of you life are not the places you expect them to be. And the same goes for places that you could never in a million years picture yourself being at. The school that I am at now was on the bottom of my list and if I had to go back in time and reapply to schools it would definately be on the top. College is about making new friends, making mistakes, learning new things, having fun, and being independent. It sounds so cliche but college truly is what you make it.

Apply to and visit a lot of schools, you never know where you'll end up going.

I would tell parents and students to first find a college where the student feels the most comfortable. If the school is fantastic but the student feels like they do not belong, he/she will have a difficult time. Second, talk to your financial aid advisor, he or she can have extremely valueble information. Third, don't be afraid to try new things, college is all about finding a niche and an academic passion, go out with friends, join clubs and pursue your interests. Lastly, find a subject you love to study and make it into a career. Professors can be amazing reources to help you in your future. They can open doors to network, graduate schools and research opportunities.