Temple University Top Questions

I would say, try and get involved and explore your area and try out different courses. You can never be sure about everything you may like.

Money is very important in making a decision of which college to attend. The amount of financial aid you are awarded, how much tuition costs, and how much you are able to pay out of pocket or through a loan is crucial to take into account when making this important decision. If a student is not able to afford their tuition, they'll have to get a part time job and somehow balance it with schoolwork, and this is a very delicate process. It is something that not many people ever learn to do, and often negatively affects how well people do in school. Also, it is important to think about what kind of an environment you want to be in. Temple is an urban school, and therefore it is very different than most other universities and is a completely different experience. This will affect not only your experience on campus, but also what off-campus housing is available and how your social life outside of campus will be.

Make friends with upperclassmen, and get to know each teacher you have by talking with them personally during office hours or other convenient (out of class) time.

My advice to parents and/or students trying to find the right colege is understanding exactly what you want out of your college education. For example, I knew that I wanted to be in an urban environment, close to home, and financial aide was also a huge deciding factor. Once you are able to narrow down these factors try to find schools that come close to these requirements you expect. Also, as for making the most of your college experience, don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone - it is the best possible way to learn anything in life; with that being said, join an interesting club, study abroad for a semester and definitely try to complete an internship before graduating. No matter what profession you want to pursue try to get an internship or work related to that field, it will make your decision of entering that profession so much easier; not only wil you know whether or not it is for you, but then you'll also have experience if you do decided to follow that path. Also, once at school don't be afraid to develop relationships with the faculty, they're great resources and help.

Go on as many campus tours as possible, but take everything the tour guide says with a grain of salt. Base your opinion of the school on the way the campus makes you feel. Stand in the middle of campus during a class change and see if you notice anyone you could imagine yourself being friends with based on the way the carry themselves. Smaller schools tend to attract the same kind of people from year to year, so if you only see "dirty hippies" walking around and you're more of the frat/sorority type, you might want to reevaluate that school. Less than half of the college experience occurs within the classroom. Go to class and do the work, but realize it's about more than that. Check out any club or group that even slightly interests you. If you end up hating it, now you know. Take at least one random class that has nothing to do with your major; it will make you a far more interesting person. The way to make the most of your college experience is to simply experience everything you possibly can.

To parents, let your child decide an support them no matter what their decision. I have seen too many kids whose parents forced them to go to a school or into a program that they had no interest in. If they don't want it they won't succeed, and if they tell you that don't try to bully them into making the decision you want by withholding money. And most importantly be supportive, college is expensive, and its hard to concentrate and get good grades when you're worried about having money to buy food. Students, so what you love. Study what makes you happy. Don't obsess about tomoro, but make sure you'll be prepared for it. Study, go to class, and focus on school, but don't forget to have fun. If your school is in a city, explore the city, enjoy the experience. And don't explore like a tourist, go to the small out of the way places that you will never find anywhere else. That way when you graduate you will take not only the knowledge you gained but the experiences you had.

Always make sure to visit your school before confirming, so to make sure that the campus satisifies your need and desires as a student. Check and see if their programs match what you are looking for or had in mind, and check into their financial aid and job opportunities. Once you have chose a school look into their extracurricular activities and find one's that work for you. The more you're involved the more easily it is to meet people and make connections. In your classes try to interact with the other students because later they could be helpful when studying and such.

Visit a lot and make sure what you want most out of the school....that being academics, social life, sports or location. All of these things can greatly impact your time at college. Make sure to always be on top of work, but don't forget time for fun.

Don't stress yourself out too much, college is not all it's cracked up to be, and you don't have to go to college to be successful. However, work hard, study for your SATS, and pick a school where you feel most comfortable at.

Take your time and look for a school that is both the right size and fits your budget.