Southern Oregon University Top Questions

I would advise myself to take it very seriously and to find a way to stay in school continuously to obtain my bachelor's degree. Taking close to 10 years inbetween receiving my associates degree to starting on my bachlor's degree has been quite an adjustment. It is much easier to do when you can stay in school full-time and not have to work a full-time job or care for children while attending school. I would remind my younger self that I am a role model for my children and having to work, take care of them and attend school means that my entire focus is not always where it should be. I would also advise myself to save all the money I could because at some point you have to pay your student loans.

As Dorothy Parker worte, "Drink and dance and laugh and lie, Love, the reeling midnight through, for tomorrow we shall die! But, alas, we never do." This quote speaks to me in regard to being able to go back into time and to offer myself some advise about college life with the knowlege I now have. I am a soccer player and play on SOU's soccer team. Someone told me not to base my decision solely on the coach or the sport, but to look carefully at the academics. This was helpful advise. At the time I heard it, but did not fully understand it. Now I understand. Education is and should be the focus. Luckily I made a good decision. I would say to myself that there's only so much preparation you can do in choosing the right school. After that, just let go, relax and trust in the process and keep a positive thought and attitude. Believe that you are in the right place for you and stop worrying. Then you will learn to adapt and adjust and enjoy!

If I had the chance to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself, rather emphatically, not to worry so much about going to college. I spent many nights awake, wondering what my room would look like, whether I would meet anyone new or make any friends, whether the professors would be nice, how it would feel to be living on my own a thousand miles away from home. That energy could have been better spent, because the transition actually felt easy and natural. College has provided me with the opportunity to branch out, to choose wonderful friends, to become fully responsible for myself, and to find interests that really do interest me rather than just looking good on an application. It's easy not to become involved with partying if you don't want to. It's refreshing to be some distance from home and to see how much I love my family and which friends at home are worth keeping. It's exciting to take classes with fascinating material that sharpens my mind and makes me think, for once! So, college-bound self, don't worry. Everything will work out. It'll be amazing.

Don't be lazy. Work hard and when you can have fun. Live with your parents longer and don't spend so much money.

I would make sure that the college really is a perfect fit physically, emotionally and financially. All of those do matter because college is a life experience and not to be happy, and paying to be at that instution really sucks and it will make an effect on the students school-work, social life and overall physical happiness. On top of that all it is dissapointing when your not happy but manage to make friends and are not able to return because of the cost or the unhappiness the student will feel if the college/university is not a perfect fit. My advice is to be picky and then once the student gets there is to get involved as much as possible and make friends. College is really a life long experience so enjoy it, but be safe and smart!!

In order to find the right college, it is important to visit the campus. Simply reading an online description or the opinion of a friend, is not the same as getting a first hand feel for the environment of the college or university. You will be spending atleast a year at the school you choose. If you are a more reserved person, you may not want to go to a big sports school or party school, but you wont know until you actually visit the school. By touring the campus and the community, you will have a better understanding of the people you will be working with, living with and becoming friends with. No matter how fancy a school's reputation might be, it is still important to visit the school, so you'll know if you will be happy there. After all, it will be the new place you call home.

Start looking at schools early. Know what the school is looking for, and do not aim too high, for in many cases you will regret this, and have to most likely go to your safety school. Also, as many times as you will hear this at school, Get Involved. It makes your time worthwhile.

To find the right place, look around until you find the place that clicks, that feels right. When you are on the campus, you should feel like you are home. To make the most of your college experience, I know this had been said 100 times but it remains true: get involved! Find something you love doing, and keep doing it! It will make your experience so much richer and more memorable. This year, with NRHH(National Residence Hall Honrary) I have walked all around Ashland, dressed as a ballerina asking for canned food donations, cooked and served pancakes until 2 AM more than once, spent nine hours cutting out and putting up snowflakes, snowmen and other decorations, and I have loved every minute of it. To help the community of SOU and Ashland, while knowing that someone thought I was one the top 1{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of leaders in the Residence Halls, has been y amazing for me. This has led me to pursue more active roles in Residence Hall Leadership. I have just submitted my application to be an RA next year. I feel like I have found my niche. Find something tyou are equally passionate about.

Researching a university is extremely important. I strongly recommend a campus visit before deciding which university is best. Once the student has chosen a school, I suggest living on-campus. The department of Residential Life is dedicated to providing educational and fun programs to further enrich the college experience. I also believe that students should get involved in any extra-curricular clubs he/she finds interesting. In addition to aforementioned suggestions, I must promote studying abroad. I have participated in a summer study abroad program to Germany, and will be going to South Korea with a similar program this summer. Finally, before a final decision is made, know the cost of the school. So many students arrive at college and do not know anything about financial aid. Parents, educate your students about the cost, and students, seek out on-campus resources that are designed to assist with financial aid. College is expensive, get the most out of it.

To help parents and/or students find the right college and make the most of the college experience, I would give them advice about the kind of environment suitable for the individual. In regards to the kind of environment, I mean the location of the college, the types of programs, and the special aspects of individual colleges. The parent and/or student must begin with the area of study or interest, because most colleges have specific programs in which these interests fit. Once the parent and/or student has determined an area of interest, then he or she must focus on the location of the school. The cost of attendence for some colleges increases depending on in or out of state residency, and I would recommend the individual researches all of the costs for their current situation. Once he or she has chosen a college, it is time to make the most of the college experience. I believe college students need to go out of their comfort zone and interact with people from different backgrounds, and get involved with clubs and make as many diverse friends as possible. Like most people say, "These are the best years of your life."

Make sure they preview the college first that way they can get a feel for what kind of environment they will be in. Preview classes and watch teachers teach without making an appointment that way they don't knowingly put on a show for you. Take a look at the food... Have an open mind and prepare yourself to be exposed to new ideas, people, way of thinking, etc. Visit the counseling center and see what kind of help is offered and the health center.

Visiting colleges should be at the top of your priorities list when deciding where to spend the next four years of your life. Touring campuses not only allows you to get a feel for a particular school, but provides the opportunity to learn about and compare services. Before your visit prepare a list of questions you have and a checklist of what you want in a school. These will help you sift through the overwhelming amount of information you are about to receive. Also, though you risk minor embarrassment, it is important to bring a parent or someone else who has been through the college experience with you on your visit. Once you arrive on campus, try to get the fullest experience possible. Take an official tour, sit in on a class, eat in the dining facilities, and explore the surrounding community. Once you are in college, take advantage of free services such as tutoring and get involved immediately. Join a hall council, intra-mural sport, academic or social club. Extra-curricular activities not only open the door to internships and travel opportunities, they help you adjust quicker and make more friends. Live it up. College is an incredible experience.

To me, finding the right college is like buying a new pair of shoes. First, they need to be comfortable. Secondly, you need to be able to wear them with many different outfits and most of all; those shoes need to make you feel important. When deciding on a college, you first need to make sure it has your desired career and if you are undecided make sure they have many career paths that you may be interested in. Then, you need to make sure you are comfortable being that far away or close to home. Finally, you need to feel at home when you are touring the different colleges. If you choose a college that is a complete 360 from where you grew up, you may have difficulty adapting to college life after the excitement of moving out and being on your own wears off. All in all, you need to make sure the college you choose fits you like your favorite pair of shoes. That way, you will have the confidence to make new friends and become a successful college student, making you parents, the proudest parents of all.

I would advise parents and students to consider where the parking is a round campus is. How much the parking permits cost and how safe the vehicles they drive are. Another question to consider, is the benefits that a university offers. Sometimes the benefits out weigh the down sides.

College is not the classes you take in it. College is not economics, but you will learn how the world around you relates to your wallet. College is not about communications, but you will learn to understand and empathize with those you meet. College is not about theater, but you are sure to find love and laughs. College is not about chemistry, but it is about balancing the equation. Your college will not be its class sizes, its tuition costs, its school spirit events, its cafeteria food, or its scantron test sheets. College is learning that when you're hungry, ramen noodles taste as good as anything else; finding that a well-earned four hours of sleep after vanquishing your homework can be more satisfying than sleeping in until noon; realizing that mom and dad were basically always right; and finally, in the eleventh hour, college is the picture coming into focus. It's not about what you want to be when you grow up; it's about the time you have, the person you are and what to do with both. Or, as Mark Twain said, "never let your schooling interfere with your education."

When you or your family is going through the process of finding what school would be the "right" school, start with what is important to you. Look at schools that are well known for the program of the field of study you intend to persue. Given that there are so many schools available, narrow down your choice by location, campus size, programs that you would consider minoring in. Also considering applying to schools in which some of your friends have already inrolled or intend to because it is nice to have someone you know to be nearby when you get homesick your first time away from home.

You should visit the campus while school is in session. Possibly sit in on a class in the field you're interested in. It would be beneficial to spend a day exploring the surrounding area. Ask all the questions you may think of even if you think they are rude or stupid. Make sure you understand the dorm situation you're about to go live in and be prepared to change roommates a few times. Make sure you have a savings account for emergencies and unexpected expenses. Make a budget or actively discuss money management with your young adult/ parents. Visit an academic advisor after your first term and start working on your graduation plan. Make sure to apply for FAFSA and other local scholarship programs as soon as they become available. Visit a financial aid advisor and discuss your funds and loans. Be really careful taking out private loans, a lot of times having a part time job is a better idea. Work during the summer and winter break! Smile a lot and be open to making friends with new people. Join a club and commit some time to socializing with productive people instead of party people. Stay safe.

Finding the right college is one of the most important things you can do. I was not able to have someone give me advice and would have only been so lucky. I have attended four colleges since I graduated from high school. Looking back at my experience, I know it would have been nice to have someone to talk to about how to find the correct fit in a college. My first piece of advice, know what you truely want. It may change through out the course of your education, but if you are true to your self then it is easier to find what you want. My second piece of advice is do not fall short of your goals. If you are waitlisted for the college of your dreams, do not throw your dreams away, it can still happen. To make the most of your college experience, is what I have learned most of all during my transitions. The most important thing to learn, no matter how long it takes, is believe in yourself and do what is true to you. You should also have faith that no matter what is going on, some day it will be okay.

First of all it is best that the student find a place where he or she is comfortable to study and live. It is also very important that they look into the programs available at the college to make sure it fits the student's needs.

Keep your options open cause theres a good place for everybody