Angela
Think about the types of classes you would like to be taking and the various things that would interest you. Think about the important aspects of your lifestyle that you would like to continue in the area to which you move. Lastly, think about the career services offered by your school and how you would evaluate someone with a degree from your chosen school. Also, think about paying all of your bills and how affordable the area is.
Frenda
As a Senior I would advise students to make sure they feel comfortable. Make sure you use the resources that are available on campus and take advantage of them.
Fujiko
Find out as much about the school beforehand. Talk to professors and try to sit in on classes. Look at the course schedules over the last few years and read the class descriptions. Think about what it is that you want to do and whether or not the classes are appealing to you. Take into account the cost of tuition, living expenses, books, food, etc. Also, keep in mind that some public schools have excellent professors and reputations and help save money as compared to private schools. Look into the research opportunities available on campus. If applicable, think ahead of what sorts of experiences are going to be beneficial for graduate school. Ask yourself whether the school you are considering has all of the components needed to have a competitive application. Visit the school and imagine yourself being a student there.
Komail
Be there for your kids if anything happens and always support them in their decisions. Its their life not yours and now let them live it please!
Jessica
The college experience is going to be what you make of it. I found it helpful to find a group of people with similar goals and join organizations that were in line with what I would like to do after I graduate.
Take the time to get to know your professors -- they are a great resource and often know of opportunities you may not otherwise find out about.
Melinda
Pick a college that accels in the field that you want to pursue and you should definitely go visit the college prior to choosing it. If you need more one on one time and attention from the teachers and don't want to get lost in a sea of people, stick to a smaller college. Once there, enjoy the time that you have in college because it really does go by very fast. Be open to meeting new people because there are so many different types of people that are really interesting and have different ways of thinking than you. Make use of all the different things you have access to as a student, like at my school we have the health services building, the free printing offered depending on which courses you are taking, Gregory gym, all the different places you can study such as the PCL, the union, the fac.
Briar
I would simply say, do your research and then pray that God leads you in the right direction!!
Caitlin
Take into account location, weather, size, and the student population. Visit the campus and stay with a current student if possible. Also look into extracurricular activities beforehand. Be out going and meet as many people as possible. Study during the day, party at night. Don't do anything that could affect you negatively long term. Well, not too many things. :)
Sydnie
Apply to as many colleges as possible. Research the schools, and take into consideration your financial situation and what you want to study. See what schools give you the best offer and from those decide which one fits you best.
Reid
The process of finding the right college can be scary and very intimidating. As you narrow your choices down to about five schools, I've learned that you can enjoy a great experience at any of those schools. Many of the friends I went to highschool loved their first year of college and wouldn't change schools for anything. After going through the college's application process you will know which college is for you. Just trust yourself and be flexible to what comes your way. If for any reason you dont enjoy your college, nothing is permanent and so transfering is very simple. But of all the people that I know, about two people were unhappy with their selection. When you get to college the best advice is to just go with the flow. Making friends is really easy after that and through that your college experience will be great.
Allison
I don't think a decision to go to college should be a stressful task. However, this may be because my decision was easy. The University of Texas is the best public institution in the state of Texas. I knew I wanted to stay in my home-state so the transition of being a teacher would be easier. Not to mention, amazing school spirit and tradition brought on by incredible athletics. My advice to parents is to give your children time and space in the application process. My parents gave me full independence whether I got things completed or not...whether I went to college or not. I know it was hard for them to sit back but I think it made me a stronger individual. Students must find that inner motivation to achieve what they feel is required out of their college experience. One must be willing to put in as much time and effort as they expect to receive in return. I wouldn't trade my one and half years of college for anything.
Jania
When it comes to finding the right college, trust your instincts. Go with the school whose philosophies and values are in line with yours and whose atmosphere makes you feel at home. While it's normal to have fears about being on your own or doing well in your classes, they shouldn't extend much further than that. Any deep rooted uncertainties should probably be carefully evaluated to ensure that the college of choice is in fact right for you and that you're choosing to attend for all of the right reasons (academics, career placement, diversity, extracurriculars etc...)
As for making the most of the college experience: manage your time! It's too easy to immediately relish in the social freedom of being away from home and on your own. Just know that it's much easier to bring your grades down than it is to bring them back up. One should definitely have an outlet from homework, but prioritizing your time is key. While school work is important, do be sure to take time for yourself. These are undoubtedly some of the best years of your life and you should enjoy them as much as you possibly can.
Kevin
When it comes to finding a university that is right for you there are many factors to consider. Academics, athletics, social atmosphere. However, the major question to ask is "Can I call this place home?" College isn't only about how hard you study. Nor is it about how well your football team does. It's not even about how well prepared you become for the professional world, how well you learn to interview or what your eventual GPA is. The 4 years spent in college is the perfect time to find a new home and in doing so become the person you will be for the rest of your life. If you can learn to balance your time, make deep, meaningful relationships and become more and more comfortable in your own skin then your time in college will be a success. Finding a school that will help you do this is a very important step. So before signing on at your parents' alma mater make sure you consider a school's size, its overall feel and the city it is in. Trust me, these things will be just as important as how many wins the football team gets.
Ross
Go to the University of Texas at Austin.
Kathleen
Make sure to visit the campus, if possible, for more than one day. If the prospective student could "shadow" a current student around campus, classes, and home life, a better perspective of student life can be formed. Reading brochures and speaking only with admissions counselors will not give you an honest idea of the university's spirit. It is important to consider the type of environment that you feel will foster your best self as well as the university's academic program.
Academics are priority but innumerable lessons are taught outside of the classroom. Utilize your University?s facilities and surroundings to the maximum amount allowable. Don't be afraid to try new things! College is a time in your life when you're learning about yourself, perhaps for the first time ever, on your own. Learning sometimes requires that you move out of your comfort zone in order to discover something new.
Kristin
I would recommend that both parents and students take plenty of time to gather information about any colleges that the student may be interested in. In addition, it would be really beneficial to speak to current students of the universities that you are interested in. And it is important to keep in mind that the transition from high school to college can be difficult for anyone. Motivate yourself to get out and join groups in order to meet new friends. It'll take time in order to start to feel that this school is truly where you belong, don't expect it to come together right away (although it certainly could). Many students take a long time to discover where they fit in and make true lifelong friends. Don't give up! College is a unique experience that you will treasure for the rest of your life.
Laura
Finding the right college is never an easy decision for anyone. However, it is imperative that you take several considerations before you choose the school that fits you. It is essential to decide what type of environment you would like to live in, the amount of schoolwork involved, the cost of attending the school, the amount of debt you are willing to get in to, housing expenses, student diversity, the competitive nature and ambiance of the school, but most importantly the school's proximity to your home. Sure, it sounds insane to be close to home when you are raging with hormones of living as far from your family as possible. However, in college many things can go awry and it is important to be close to your family and friends to help you through the difficult process of adjusting to your new independent life. In order to maximize your college experience, BALANCE your social and school life. Do not fall behind! Stabilize your emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. Branch out of your comfort zone! Find a school that fits your interests and magnify the positive aspects of it! Accomplishing this will ensure a positive and unforgettable college experience.
Gloria
It's important to remember that when chosing a college, you want to find a place that has a lot of diversity. College is a time when your child will discover the person they are going to be, and by attending a diverse University, you will give your child a lot of opportunites to experience things, and become a well rounded person.
Victoria
I think location plays a huge part in liking a college or university. If you like cities, go to a city; if you prefer small town life, go there. No matter how much you like the college or university, if you don't enjoy the surrounding area it won't be as fun. Secondly, pay attention to size. If you strongly prefer small classrooms with hands on learning or more involved professors, make sure yuo go to a place that offers that. If you don't mind or prefer large classrooms, look for that instead. Otherwise, just make sure the school has a good department in your area of study.
Daniel
It aint gonna be easy...but it's all worth it.