The University of Alabama Top Questions

Try to find a college that is affordable. I struggle to pay for college and I have to take out student loans. It is important to find a college that is well-known, but also one that will work well with financial needs. The college experience will be better if there are no financial worries.

The first step in finding the right college is to ask yourself what exactly it is you want in a college (i.e. atmosphere, demographics, rankings, extracurricular activities, location, etc.). The next step is to make a list of the potential colleges you are interested in and then research each of them to see if they meet your academic, financial, and social expectations. It is very important to research the financial aid availability because some schools have early deadlines for their finacial aid and scholarship applications. Deadlines are important to keep notice of when applying to college as well. Every year, a student should do their best to stay actively involved on campus by joining clubs, attending sporting events, volunteering, and even joining a social group (such as a greek fraternity/sorority). These activities not only are fun but are also good for networking amongst student peers and alumni. Networking is of major importance when looking for a job after college. Making the most of a college experience is easy as long as you stay involved in activities that are healthy and keep you happy and academically focused. College is the most memorable experience so make it a happy one.

Don't go to college unless you are ready to take it seriously. You are on your own and have to do alot of growing up real fast but collge equips you with life long tools like maturity, responsiblity, and time management. That is the way to be successful, if you can figure out how to manage your time wisely than you will be fine. You also have to become alot more responsible because your mom and dad aren't here anymore to look over your shoulder and make sure you are doing your work, or to make sure that you go to class. If you go to class and manage your time wisely you will succeed.

To parents I would say: the moment that the child is born open a college savings account. My parents never did that and so I went through college just based on financial aid and money from family members. I would suggest finding the right school with the right programs that your child is interested in. Also, its important that parents realize that their "children" are adults now and that they need to make mistakes in order to learn from them in the future. Therefore, don't always come to your child's beck and call whenever they need something, but at the same time dont abandon them. Tell them to get a job when they're in highschool, that way they can have their own money and know how to balance their finances while they're in college. I was never allowed to get a job in highschool, but once I got to college I'd wished I'd had. Also, students need to come with an open mind to college because 9 times out of 10 they're going to be around people that they've probably never encountered before in life. Its best to have an open mind.

The most imprtant thing to do when you are trying to find the right college is to visit the college itself. I didn't know for sure that I wanted to go to the the University of Alabama until I stepped on campus. After visiting the campus I got a feel of the people and the staff and I got a great first impression.

To parents I would say, be active in your child's life, and in their choices of college. Not only is the right choice important to you financially and parentally, it is important that they know they have your respect and your support. To students I would say, do not make decisions based upon what everyone else is doing, or because you want to "get away." These thoughts are fleeting, but the college you choose will stay with you for at least the next four years of your life--and probably longer. To both I would say, start early and enjoy the process. This is a time when both parents and students can enjoy the fruits of their labor for the past 18 or so years. Appreciate what you have done, be realistic in your choices, and look forward to what is to come. College is not all parties, nor is college all studying--college is what you make of it. Remember to balance yourself and your goals, to ensure that neither your social life or your academic desires get the best of you. Dream, but dream wisely.

If possible take a car to college.

HAVE FUN! But be able to learn the balance between the academic life and the social life. Don't become frustrated when you don't know the answer to something. Figure stuff out for yourself. Don't accept an idea just because somebody told it to you. Have some type of method to help keep yourself balanced. Whether it be working or having a spiritual life. No matter what know that the choices that you make everyday will have some type of effect in the future.

In terms of finding the right college for a future student, I would highly advise parents and students to visit the colleges and experience firsthand what that college has to offer in terms of education, social scene, and overall presence of home the college has on the student. Sit on on classes, talk to as many college students as you can, and discuss with professors what their classes have to offer the student. If you have friends at the college of your choice, ask if you can shadow them for a day and see what it is like to be a student at that University. The most important thing about the college decision is how you feel about the atmosphere of the college. Does it feel homely, do you feel like you will be able to fulfull your studies successfully, and know what is like to accept the responsibility of being on your own for one of the first times in your life. College is about determining your career, so make sure that you put in the time and effort to choose the college you feel is best for you and how to make the most of your college education.

Visit the college and shadow students and talk to alumni