South Dakota State University Top Questions

Save the money for college in advance so you do not have to borrow when the time comes. Look at many colleges and what they have to offer for what they want you to pay, therefore, you can get the most education for your money.

Find a college that intrigues you both educationally and socially. I say socially because college is a social place. Although college is about getting the best education possible, you have to make your decision depending on whether you think you will enjoy your time there. To get the most of your college experience you need to GET INVOLVED!! There is nothing more important than getting involved. You will meet new people, have a plethora of things to put on your resume, and have a great time!!

When you find a college that you think you like attend it at different times of the week and year. Attend it on a Monday in the Spring to see what classes are like when you may have to walk in sub-zero temperatures. Stay for a weekend starting on a Friday so that you can see what type of social life and weekend events are occuring. See if students use the library, or the fitness centers. Don't be afraidto ask students on the campus what they like or dislike about the campus. Ask questions of facuty on how they like the campus and the community. The most important thing is to make sure you can feel comfortable with the college and the community because you will have to live there for the next for the four or more years. Talk to everyone you can and research the school on how they do in your field of study. Be open to colleges that you may not thinkare great because they may provide the bet education and experience that you may ever have. Live for today, Dream for tomorrow.

Parents should be supportive of their children. I hear of too many parents with expectations that differ from their child's own wishes, and this doesn't help anyone in the long run. Once children are this age, a parent can still guide and advise, but should do so lovingly and not force a certain school or a four-year university in general upon their child. Students, go TO college don't just go THROUGH college. Make the most of your time there because heaven knows you are probably paying for every second of it. You can make the most of your time by meeting people. There are so many great people surrounding you at college, and everyone is looking for friends, so it's easy to make great friendships. The tricks to doing this include: live in the dorms and keep your door open while you are home, talk to the people sitting around you in class, and finally join clubs with purposes you are passionate about. By doing these things, you are certain to meet people in similar situations and with similar interests to yours, so you can easily become lifelong friends!

Visit the campus, if you can see yourself living there (not just studying) then it's the place for you.

Find the perfect distance from home for the student. This often affects whether a student stays at the school or transfers elsewhere. Get involved in student organizations. This creates opportunities to meet people, add experience above classroom work, and even travel. Learn to be outgoing and don't just stick with friends from high school. The open nature a student will develop will reflect positively when he/she graduates and begins interviewing.

Choosing the right college for a student can be very difficult. There are may variables that play a role in this decision. Every college has something to offer its students both in education and socially. After completing four years of college and acquiring a bachelors degree in Construction Management i have the following advice for parents and/or students seeking to find the perfect college. In my opinion there are many factors that attibute to a full rounded educational experience. The first thing to look at is the curriculum offered by the college. The college should offer several courses and curriculums that the student has interest in. This will allow the student to change his or her degree if they so choose. I also believe social oppurtunities are an important factor in this decision. Many college towns offer a variety of activities for students. These activities can make or break the college experience. Social activities will allow the student to get away from the books for a short period of time and "recharge the batteries".

Visit the campuses you are interested in and go with your gut feeling. When you find one that just "feels right" thats the one you should choose.

I would advise students to choose a college that has a variety of options and a great support team. Obviously it is important for the college to have the desired major; however, it would be wise to choose a school that offers a variety of other majors. First of all, students change their minds and staying at the same university makes changes in majors easier. Secondly, students can meet others with diverse interests, and by having many friends, students become more well-rounded. Also, having great professors, advisors, and other on campus support makes the experience a great one! Without a support system, a new student could easily become overwhelmed and be less inclined to return to the same college. Also, as a last piece of advice, choose a school that will fulfill both the parents' and students' desires but that also does not cost an outrageous amount. Loans have to be paid back, and generally the fewer loans a student has, the better off they can be later in life.

Think it through, and don't decide too quickly. But remember: choosing the wrong school isn't the end of the world. And I think most students can adjust to the school they choose. Even if you choose the "wrong" school, it could end up being right. When choosing, focus on the things the school can offer academically. Most schools have similar extra-curiccular activities and student life, but academics can really vary from school to school. And most importantly, if it's not worth praying about; it's not worth worrying about.