United States Naval Academy Top Questions

Allow the student to decide for themselves what they want. Parents should be supportive of decisions the student makes; yet, they should still guide them and assit when the student has tough questions as to where to attend. The student should not be pressured into attending a specific college or studying a specific major only to please their parents. It is ultimately the student trying to learn a set of skills in order to progress in their education and career.

Go with your instincts. If you had to choose in five minutes what would you do?

Parents need to guide their children without forcing them, encourage their children without pressuring them, and understand that their child will ultimately make this decision on his/her own. Instill good morals and virtues early to eleviate the worries of their child beginning a new chapter in life. Know their child will make mistakes, but let him/her know that they can perservere through anything if they have the right mindset. Be there for their children when needed, and little to no more. If he/she needs to talk, they will call; needs some cash, they will ask; needs advice, they will find you. Don't completely change his/her room, car, or possessions immediately after they leave. When he/she comes home, they need to know that it is still their home, even though, to them, it won't feel like it. Most of all, love your child and support him/her in whatever they choose, because at this point it is their life, not yours.

Visit the college that you want to attend because where you will be living will definately affect your years there. Every where is different, pick a school that fits your personality and pick it because it is where you want to be! You will do well if you hard charge and keep your head up!

Visit colleges, see the atmosphere, see how it fits you as a person, then, and only then, decide whether it is right for you. Keep special focus on the programs that it offers that you might be interested in and always make sure that you are going to college for the right reasons: to learn and go through life changing experiences.

This is the second college I have attended. Sometimes, I wonder if I made the right decision, if I even made the decision myself. Do not let your future be steered by the people around you. Listen not only to your heart, but also your hopes and expectations. Believe in the infinite possibilities, but understand the length of the roads you may need to take to get there. When you do get to college, try new things. Put yourself out there, meet people. Remember that, while you are there to cement your future, you are also there because you want to enjoy the present. Do not throw opportunities away, and make friends you want to keep. Be true to yourself always and never forget where you came from.

Visit the school.

Go to the various schools while the student body is there and classes are going on. Be nosy and get a real feel for the place.

Go to the college you intend to apply to. Talk to the students. More importantly, ask yourself what you want the college to do for you - where do you want to be when you graduate, and how is this school going to help you achieve that goal?

The best advice I can offer to students is to pick the school where you feel you will excel the most. Don't pick it based on what you parents say or whether they're alumni or even whether you're friends will be attending the same one come fall semester. To be honest, whether or not you graduate depends solely on your accomplishments not those of your parents or your friends-just yours. Also, find the one that best fits your needs whether it may include financial assistance, specific career major routes such as pre-med or pre-law, and or even a specific sports team you'd like to play for. To parents, all I can ask of them is to be supportive of their young ones and support them in whatever they choose for "where there is a will there is a way."