The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Top Questions

Do not only look at the accedemic reputation of a University. While that is very important, it is the experiences that you have and the people that you meet that you will remember forever.

It is what you make of it.

Research the schools and ask questions to see if you would best fit in this place you are looking at.

Just wanna say F you guys for tricking all of us to take this LONG survey, then say OH answer this question, THIS will be what's judged for the contest...when you clearly implied on the facebook ad and the start page of your website saying take this quick survey to win $10,000. I am senior in college. I am so busy with school work and my job and just volunteering to b around my field of work that I don't have time to put MY EVERYTHING into this answer. I would love to win $10,000. By all means that'd be one of the greatest things to happen to me but the fact is even if I poured my heart and soul into this you guys wouldn't pick me. But really, it isn't about the 'best advice'. Its about how satisfied you are with your own college experience. I am a senior in all senior level classes and I have begun to get my hands deep in Deaf culture, education, community,& teaching methods and my life feels, magical really. I have found my passion and love in life, my calling to Deaf education.

Make sure you get involved in everything that you can, and do it early. Don't wait until you are an upper classman to get involved, that is the best advice I can offer.

Balance is the most important aspect of survivng your first year of college. Choose a college that you feel comfortable with both academically and socially. It is important to stay true to yourself while embracing every new experience earned. Having fun is key to not burning yourself out, however keeping sight of the big goal is imparative to your success. Always remember that you are your own person; a unique individual that adds to a beautifully diverse equation of a college campus. Parents must instill some trust in their children, and let go when they make the transition to college. At the same time, students cannot take advantage of that trust and always practice sound judgements in all of their decisions. Overall, make the most of it because it will be the best years of your life!!

My best advice is to go to different schools and check them out, really spend time on campus. If it feels right to you then you are probably making the right decision. So basically go with your gut feeling and make sure your school has the major and academic interests that you have in mind.

I would first tell them that every school does not offer every major. That needs to be a deciding factor. Also, visit the school. You can learn a great deal by actually intervieing the current students. We'll tell them what the real deal is before any decisions get made. This is a decision that will stick for life. Be extremely careful.

The best advice I could give is to make the best out of every situation in college. There is no such thing as a perfect school; there is bound to be something you aren't please with. But always give something a chance before you write it off. If your peers are different from you, whether it's socially, racially, or economically (or maybe their just not into the stuff you like), give them a chance. You might enjoy yourself, and you'll definitely learn something new. If your school seems different from what you are used to in high school - perhaps it's too big or too small - adjust to it! Just because it's different , doesn't make it bad. College is about learning, but it's also about collecting experiences. While you're there you'll be able to do things you'll never get to repeat. Complaining about your circumstances and making excuses for not living up every situation are things that you'll only regret later in life. Studying, socializing, working, and even partying are all important experiences to collect. The only thing I can discourage is wasting time.

The transition from high school to college is going to be difficult. Accept that and move forward. Once you understand that it's going to be difficult--the next step is to minimize the downfalls and maximize the benefits. It's easy to say that following your heart is the best plan for finding the right college for you or your son/daughter. In theory, that's great. But in practice, it's not always that simple. I found a school that financially was right for me and with the current economy, finances have to be a large part of the decision. Once you've decided on a school, for whatever reason, you have to be devoted to your time there. Get involved! Go to football games; go out on Thursday nights, go to a local church--just go. Give your school the chance to become your home, and parents give your children the freedom to find their way to class and out of class. I promise, if you do, they'll come home and appreciate it more.