The University of Texas at Arlington Top Questions

Work hard and take every advantage to be academically involved: do summer research, either throught your school or NSF funded programs, study abroad, join professional orginizations, play intramural sports, go to conferences in our field of study, and have fun.

Research! You need to research. If you know where you are going and have a plan, you have a better chance at succeding in college. But if you just enter it blindly and take a leap of faith, you're bound to fall off a cliff.

Take it slow and don't rush to finish.

I would tell them that they not only need to find a school with good academics and, but one that has an atmosphere where the student will feel comfortable studying, making friends, and possibly getting involved on or around campus.

Pick a school that is known for the major you are interested in.

First, chose a college that is best suitable for you academically and financially as well as socially. College is not only for studying. It is important, but there are much more life to experience and thats why you must chose a college that is overall balanced in all areas.

Make sure that when you are looking at prospective schools that you talk it over with your child and make sure you know what type of school he/she wants to attend. Upon entering college as freshman the best advice I can give is to get out there and get involved. My personal opinion is that the more clubs or groups a student joins or tries out, then he/she will have a wonderful experience at any college they choose to attend.

Start early and don't give up. As someone who has definitly taken the scenic route, I have discovered it to be most important to keep working towards the eventual goal of obtaining a degree. I would let them know to keep sending out applications for scolorships and financial aid, it may be hard to find but it is out there. I would tell them to RELAX....it is all going to be fine in the end. If you have to take a class over, it is not the end of the world. Finally, I would want them to make as many friends as possible and to learn as much as they are able about other people and cultures. Tolerance is needed in todays world and one of the best ways to find it is through other people.

Go with your friends. It's not really worth going to school alone, most friends you make will only be for a semester unless you join some kind of club. Keep an eye out on finance, it might look kind of cheap at first, but it gets more expensive as you take higher level classes. Also, check if what you want to major in is available at the school and what the requirements are. There may be a time where you need to transfer for some reason. You would need to check if the other school accepts those courses you have taken.

The advice I would give to parents would be to listen to your children and keep their best interests in mind as you work together and pursue a secondary education. Every child has special talents and skills that deserve to be maxmized at the university that best fits their goals and dreams. Know your childs talents and skills. For students the advice I would give is to do your homework early as you seek the right higher institution for learning, visit prospective campuses, engage the faculty, seek out alumni, ask questions, and think hard. College is one of the most important decisions of your life and you want to get it right.