Troy
My first advice would be to start looking around the sophmore or junior year of high school. My advice would be to select the top ten colleges of their choice. I would have the student pick five that they would enjoy attending, and have the parent pick five that they would most like to see their student attend. After the choosing was done I would ask them to review every single aspect possible for each college and find the one that is suitable for the student. I would advise them to first think about a reasonable price range that would suit them well, and take out the schools that cost more than their price range. After that, I would encourage them to research the rest of the schools; find the best environment, find out what classes are offered, find out how far away from home it is, etc. I would tell them to eliminate the schools less suitable. When the elimination was brought down to the top three schools, I would encourage them to visit each school to get a feel for the most comfortable campus life for the student. Once the visitation is over, the school should be chosen.
James
Get what you desire above any other consideration. Location, values, etc.
Noemi
Try your best to know what you want. Not just as a major, but in housing, financial help, atmosphere, environment, and all. The small things that you think are unimportant do have a great impact in the end. Go to a school that offers you a lot of financial help so that you can concentrate in class, instead of worrying about how to pay the next bill. Go somewhere that fits who you are. Then, embrace it. If your school changes you, accept it. No matter where you go, change will take place.
Matt
Go to different Campus Day events that are offered by most colleges. Have multiple colleges in mind in case you are not accepted to the initial college of your choice. Pray
chantel
I think its really about where the student wants to be. Parents, be sure its a safe environment where your students can grow and be postively influenced. Students don't just go to a school because your parents want you to be there. Make the most of your college experience by getting involved in different actvities, hang out with diffrent kinds of people, do things you wouldn't normally, but most importantly stay true to yourself. Be prepared for a lot of learning, not only academically, but self learning as well. Always reevaluate and make sure where you are makes you happy, just because you are going to school with a big name doesn't mean its where you should be. Your college experience and happiness while you're there is more important than any school name on your diploma.
Cynthia
Try to find a school that works well with you. You don't want to be stuck there for a long period of time and not like it. Go to see the different schools that you are interested in. That way you can get a feel of how the school is.
Larissa
Bend your ear towards God's whisper and follow what He tells you. Listen to the wisdom of the men and women who have already experienced what you have not; they really do know what they are talking about. Don't make decisions based completely on emotion or completely on logic. There should be a balance between the two. Live life to the very fullest and treasure every moment because once it is past, there's no going back in time to relive what you didn't appreciate or grasp the value of the first time. Old habits die hard and especially this one: don't allow yourself to get so caught up in the busyness of life that you forget to live. Savor every moment and exploit every second of your God-given life to further God's glory and eternal kingdom.