Truman State University Top Questions

When searching for the right place to spend the next four years of your life as a college student, it is important to try to find a school that matches the personality of the student. So many factors can be considered here: a student's interests, preference in living arrangements, setting, level of motivation, and many others. If you can find a college that has a similar personality to the student, you can be confident that the student will be comfortable and flourish there. This will help the student take advantage of the opportunities the school has to offer, meeting new people and making lifelong friends, and getting the most out of the college experience in general. That setting will give a student confidence necessary to succeed after graduation, whether entering the workforce or further education.

go and look at each place before you make a decision. Try to list priorities and only look at schools that fit the most important ones, it is pointless to attend a huge school because you think the campus is pretty if you know you need to have smaller class sizes and interaction with professors to keep your grades up. Always list pros and cons, research each school try to find what classes they offer, extra-curriculars, what is in town, and rules and policies. Once you get to college, mix in fun classes with requirements, stay on campus at least your first semester, try to interact with as many people as possible, join groups you know you will enjoy. Always persue your interests, if it turns out a group or class is not working for you, you can find a different group and register for a different class, and always try new things, thats one of the great things about college, there are tons of new opportunities!!!

Don't go home every weekend! Use your freshman year and the orientation programs implemented to get involved, meet new people, and stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone. You will learn more, find a great network of friends and a support group, and lead a balanced life. In finding the right college, look at the whole picture, the academic programs, class sizes, tuition, campus community and extracurriculars, and the setting of the college itself. Make sure that the University's goals match your own (as far as being more research based--big classes, world reknown professors, etc... or teaching based--small class sizes, expert professors but not necessarily leading world figures, etc...) and that the environment offers you the comfort and enrichment that you are looking for (state of the art museums in the community?, rural versus big city? visiting orchestras and plays?).

First, the student has to pick the school based on how it feels to THEM. Parental support is very important but if the student is going to the school to please his/her parents, the outcome will be bad. Second, you can't buy your job. Simply put, just because a school is more expensive doesn't mean that it is a better school or that it will "guarantee" you a job after graduation. A degree is a degree, no matter how much it costs. Finally, once you get there, get involved!! You will discover so much about yourself. You will make so many friends and connections for the future and it will make or break your experience. College is about adventure and growth - take advantage of it while you can!

I would tell students to find the college that makes them feel that most at ease and comfortable. I would also tell students to evaluate what they are looking for in a college. For example, students should try and figure out what they want to do with their lives and try and find a school that matches their desires but has enough variety in case they change their minds. In order to make the most out of the college experience, I would encourage students to try new things and try not to depend on home too much. Students should try all kind of things that they think they might enjoy, whether it be the equestrian team or a fraternity or sorority. I think that parents should trust their children and support their child's desicions. College is whatever you make it - the student is in control. If the students has a good attitude, he or she will have a better experience. Parents need to help encourage a good attitude and get students excited about attendting college. All in all, students should be proud of the college they choose and want to encourage others to share their same great experience!

My biggest advice to going to a college would be to to to that college completely because of what you want to do. Don't look at your friend and go there because they are. Go to the school because it is what fits your wants and needs most. Tour the college and dont' be afraid to try new things!

Finding the right school is not merely about money or prestige. The right school is one that has a little bit of everything that you are interested in- from research to extracurriculars to courses. It is the best combination of scholarship and community- because, as any professor will tell you, several of the lessons you learn in college occur outside of the classroom. Once you find the school, your college experience is not about grades or socializing- it is finding a balance between work and play, realizing that failures are a part of life that everyone must endure, and that priorities really do change as you grow up. To maximize your college experience, you need to take risks and be willing to fail, knowing that at least you can have the satisfaction of trying something new, and learning how to do it better the next time. It is taking courses that you find interesting, even if you may not get an A, it is being in organizations that have nothing to do with helping you succeed because you enjoy them, and it is finally realizing that the best years of your life don't have to end here.

Choose the college you feel most comfortable at. Consider your surroundings and the demographic.

get involved in studies AND other activities!

When choosing a school, make sure you really examine all the options available to you. Don't automatically choose what feels the most comfortable or safe. I chose my school because I was too afraid to consider anywhere else. I chose what was comfortable, and I regre it. College is a time to disover who you are and step out of your shell. The way to make the most out of your college experience is to step outside the box. Someone once told me to do something everyday that makes you feel uncomfortable. It's the only way to truly learn what you enjoy and what you don't. Otherwise one lets preconceived ideas and emotions rule, thus restricting one's ability to grow as a person.