State University of New York at New Paltz Top Questions

I would tell myself to focus a bit more on school and choose your friends more wisely. As a freshmen, I made some academic choices with some classes, that I could have done otherwise. Other than that, there isn't much that I would warn myself about coming to New Paltz.

TO STUDENTS: Do your research! Find out what kind of scholastic opportunities/programs/classes you are interested in. Look for schools that offer the degree you aim to achieve. Also look into what type of extra-curricular activities, clubs, organizations, student resources, and study abroad programs are offered. YOU make your college experience what it ultimately ends up being! Don't forget to visit the campuses and facilities of the schools on your list-- you might decide immediately you like or dislike the surrounding area, the size of the campus, or the facilities in which you will spend your college career. Talk to other students! Graduates of the school, those currently attending, and other prospective students-- learn about their perspectives, experiences, and beliefs about the school TO PARENTS: Support your child through this hard process- it's dynamic and emotional! Be patient and insightful, offer help and support when you can! Remember though- it's up to your child which school they choose to attend and how successful they are in their education!

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Visit the school, and stay over night if it is possible.

The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is for them to make sure that the parents money and the students time toward /in the school is worth it. A parent should be able to know that their child is safe and that faculty is in their best interest on a personal level to help their child achieve a goal in life. The should be able to know that their child can go to any professor, especially their advisor and speak to them on a 1 - 1 basis and get the help they are searching for. On another note, the advice I would give a student would be to make sure that there are enough extracurricular activites to keep them occupied. It's not good to always overwhelm yourself with work.Make sure to always have some space for relaxation and try to attend stress free events where you can take your mind off of work and socialize with new/different faces. Try to be as involved as possible because not only does it build your resume, but you find out what you are capable of.

I would suggest to take your time and if you are making a decision between a few schools visit them a few times if it is possible. I would also suggest to talk to a few different students to get an idea what other peopl's experiences have been. Spend a lot of time researching and do not just look at the educational aspect, the social aspect is important as well because if you are not going to be happy then why stay there? Take all of the opportunites you can and surround yourself with all different kinds of people because I have not only learned a lot in the classroom but a lot from my peers as well. Above all enjoy yourself while still getting your work done. Time managment is everything and you can have fun and do well in school if you find the right balence.

For parents and students looking for the right college, I believe intuition is more important than careful deliberation. Make a list of standards, such as location, competitiveness, size, etc. Chances are, there will be several schools that live up to those standards. Remember, you can get a great education at a State University too! Give these schools a chance! After coming up with a list of potential choices, go with your gut. The place that feels right is probably the right choice. Go where you feel comfortable, but also inspired and challenged. Once you're there, remember that you will walk away with what you put into the work. Do all of your reading and you will continue to be engaged and inspired. Don't forget to have fun! These are the best years of your life. Don't be afraid to explore, change majors, and change your mind. Finding yourself is part of the experience. Good luck! Also, be assertive when requesting financial aid.

When a prospective student is searching for the best college, he or she should look beyond the popularity of the school, and really search for a school in which he or she would feel most comfortable in. As for getting the most out of ones experience, the fatal flaw would be just studying and partying. Get involved! That does not mean one cannot party, nor should one neglect their studies; yet, the best places to connect and meet people is through getting involved around campus. Sure you meet plenty of people at parties, but the true friends and best ways to make connections is through getting involved. Join a sports team, attend one of the small clubs on campus, plan a school event. One of the greatest things about college is meeting people with the same interests, and making those friends and connections that will last you into your career and beyond. Therefore choose a school that you would most be comfortable at, and when you get there, do everything you possibly can. Those four years will be gone before you know it.

I think the best thing for students to do is to stay overnight at a college. They can go and visit a college during the day with their families but you need to see how the students act when your parents are not around. Make sure the college you want to go to has a variety of majors you may be interested in because 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of college students change their major. Also, find a college that makes you happy regardless of what people say about the school.

Go to the campus. Plan ahead and start the process early. Make connections with the people working at the college, if you can't do this in person, a phone works just fine. Go one semester at a time, and spend more focus semester by semester, and it will fall into a big picture at the end with the most refreshing feelings of great achievment. Never give up on your dream! Here in America a country that news a retvitalized future starts with ambitious students just like us!