South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Top Questions

Finding the right college is important to everyone. I would start off by saying don't settle. Choose the college that you want based on class size, school size, and majors. Give yourself an opportunity to get used to the school too, things are always hard at first. When you do finally choose the college of your choice, don't let it bring you down. Make sure to stick to your academics but to become involved. I wish I was more involved, and when I switch schools to get into my actual career, I will be more involved. Also, don't let the finances worry you either. There are always student loans if you can't afford it right away, and many colleges offer great financial aid and scholarships for students. College is a wonderful experience as long as you let it be, so choose the college that is best for you and make sure you're involved academically and socially and it'll be just as good an experience for you too.

Make sure you are sure about where you want to go. Choose the best for how you are and choose what fits you. And please oh please do not major in art or something like that, it's just a waste of resources so you can work in McDonalds.

Find a college with a good reputation and strong faculty/student interaction. Don't let hard classes get you down, if you don't make it the first time, try again. Chances are there are others in those classes who are struggling too. Also don't get too bogged down with homework, only take as many credits as you can handle comfortably. If it takes you another one, two or three semesters to graduate, so be it, college is not a race. It's okay to change your mind, many students change majors after one or two years of school. Most importantly, make time for yourself and a social life. There will be a time when you will go insane after failing a test or a quiz, and the worst thing you can do is dwell on it. Take some time to hang out with your friends and let it all go for awile. Find an activity that makes you happy and do it as often as possible. And lastly, NEVER skip class and ALWAYS do your homework, even if it isn't graded!

Students need to be able to feel welcome and comfortable at the college. Go to the campus and tour around and see if you feel at home and like the campus. Another thing to look at is the extra-curricular activities, make sure that there are activities that interest you. College is not only about achieving a degree, but also about interacting with fellow students outside of college. Gaining lifelong friends from activities that you both enjoy is an amazing part of college.

Finding the right college can be a difficult process. One of the biggest aids in selecting the college is visiting the different campus' and talking with the professors that the student will be taking courses from. Not only does that help give the general idea of how the character of the campus works, but it also lets the student decide if the area is compatable with his or her personality. Then, once college itself actually starts, one of the best things to do is stay active on campus. It will help make the initial move easier to handle, and it will help the student find others whom he or she can relate to. Also, being active on campus will look great on resumes and help develop a person into a star candidate for future leadership positions. Finally, don't forget to study! Although it's great to be active on campus, GPA still matters to the one's who hire. Overall, find a campus that will be fun and helpful in achieving the dreams of the student. It's a future worth setting up for!

Look into what you want out of college. Don't base your choice on whether or not your friend(s) are going to it. College is about making your life the way you want it. Don't pick a college that dosen't have what you want in life, instead pick one that will. To make the most out of college life, just live it. You need to pay attention, go to class, enjoy college life, and have fun with it.

It is not all about the money, and it may take awhile to find the school that fits you. I'm at my third school in three years. It's not my first choice but it is the best education.