SUNY at Fredonia Top Questions

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As much as the apperance & cost of the college you are interested in affects your decision, your main concern should be what the students think and feel. Before choosing my college i talked to a ton of people i knew from highschool about their favorite things from their college. People take for granted the little things and strictly focus on the degree they are receiving as well as the credibility behind it... which isn't a bad thing to focus on. But what most people loose sight in is the experience. College itself is not just about the grades and the studying, but for those 2-3-4-5(ect) amount of years your attending that school you need to be able to call it "home." Many transfer students decided their previous school was not right for them because they weren't "fitting in" or enjoying themselves. Feeling a sense of belonging is a need that people must meet everyday. Without this, you will hate your college experience. Before settling on a school, set up an overnight visit, socialize with students you pass on the campus, and even find online blogs to discuss the college, it makes all the difference.

Finding a place is minimal to making the college experience work for you. If the student like the campus, regaurdless of the reasons, go for it. I knew my college was right for me when someone held a door open for me, looked me in the eye, and said "Hello." Something I didn't get at other places. For the student, take a chance on everything: Talk to strangers, apply for an RA job, join a recreational floor hockey league, attend one meeting of the college republicans and college democrats, attend free high arts events, take a road trip with people you barely know, rush a fraternity or a sorority with no intention of joining. You never know who you will meet or what you might enjoy. It is so easy now to relax after classes, play video games and watch TV. I wasted two years doing only those things. It will never be this easy to do it again.

For undergraduate, unless you are very capable or have deep pockets, choose a more affordable state school, and if you do well there, then go into a more expensive private school. Find a college that gives you the best feeling upon a visit, the vibes you get from other students there can be a good indicator to what kind of people they are. Check the food and the money provisions, I am poor and hungry right now because I did not plan out completely for that. Look for a school that has a park or body of water near by, I always need a place to go and relax away from the college. People are strange, go where you won't be pressured and can be who you want to be, college is a place to learn more than just schoolwork.

VISIT THE COLLEGE! You can't tell what the college is like until you go and see it for yourself. As soon as you step onto the campus you'll know whether it's for you or not. The way people are interacting, the facilities available, and the general layout has to be comfortable for you. This is where you will make soo many memories, and get the education you want to move onto better things in life. Don't be scared to ask to sit in on a class and meet the professors they can and will give you great advice. Future students don't get upset when your mom asks that "stupid question" because really it's not only an experience for you, but them as well. Believe me that stupid question will seem like it made all the difference when your down to the final two colleges and deciding which one you prefer to attend.

Student: There are two incredibly important things that I can tell you about choosing the right school; A) Choose the one you can see yourself being the happiest at, and B) Don't go there just because your friends are. Believe me, I'm telling you this from the perspective of a student that did just the opposite of these. Your first year will not measure up to what you hope it will be if you do not follow this advice. My first year here was miserable because I expected that living with a friend from high school would be enough to keep me happy. I didn't try to join clubs or meet new people, and that was huge mistake on my part. She went out and had a blast while I bummed around in the dorm. I missed out on so many fun experiences. Another important hint: Don't go crazy with partying. It will ruin your GPA. And lastly, if your dorming, always have plastic ziplock bags, paper towels, and some form of cleaning agent. You'll thank yourself. Parent: Let them have fun. Trust them to make good choices.

To parents, I would say to let your child choose the school they think is right for them. Help them with the decision process, make a pros and cons list, and let them decide. Students, look thoroughly through a book of courses offered, and choose what you think is best. If finances are a problem, all schools help so that you can get the education you want. Also make the best out of college. Study, do your homework, ask for help if you don't understand something... But don't just focus all of your time on your school work. You need to go out and make new friends and have fun, because you could make a new friend that helps you decide or rethink what you want to do with your life, and it could be the best thing for you. Have fun and focus and just be yourself.

Web search a college with different aspects that you're interested, and that gives you a starting point. Take a look at those colleges, taking the cost and location into consideration, and that helps narrow things down a lot. Also, absolutely visit the campus; that can be a definite make or break situation.

As a high school senior, it is really hard to know what you want to do with your life. The best advice I could give, based on my own experience, is to go to a school that has a lot of options (as compared to a school that specializes in a certain field). Even if you think you are 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure that you know what you want to do, you may change your mind somewhere down the road (you might even change your mind several times). Just go in allowing yourself the time to make up your mind...don't put too much pressure on yoruself. Even if you have to stay in college for an extra semester, it's not the end of the world. Also, don't worry too much about having an "ah-ha" moment or finding your "perfect fit"; sometimes it doesn't work out that way. Just pick a college that has a lot of options and activities and is located in the type of environment you enjoy (urban, suburban, rural) and make the best of it. Because when it comes down to it, the college experience is what you make of it.