University of California-Berkeley Top Questions

Relax and be happy.

Think about what you are intellectually and emotionally ready for. If you believe you need more attention for example, go to a school with small class sizes. Study what you are interested in, not what will get you the best job.

Join a club and get involved! These are the best years of your life so have a great time!

Students should really attempt to identify what it is that they specifically wish to get out of college and then really seek to make the college work for the students to help them achieve their goals rather than going into college and expecting the college to automatically give students the answers.

PLease take into consideration the school size. If you are not a outgoing person with the ability to socialize or make friends on your own you need to stay or chose a small school. The worst thing to do is go somewhere that does not accommodate your natural tendency. Berkeley is strong when it comes to academic, so if slide through class , berkeley is not for you. Last, enjoy every moment of your life at college, it goes by very fast. IF your a student parent please take as much time as possible at the school. For freshmen, you do not need to know what you want to do at school. Please explore all the diiferent department in your first years and see what best suits you. lastly college is a learning institution but you do have time to enjoy yourself so do in safe manner.

It's about finding a place that the student would think he/she would learn best. Whether it's the environment, the diversity of students, class size, food, on-campus or off-campus living, difficulty of coursework, make sure you pick a place that you love and wouldn't regret spending a few years to develop your social network, build on your knowledge and skills, and be able to have fun at the same time. Once again, picking college is not a destiny of where you're being brought to after high school, but realistically a starting point of where you want to start your career and new page of life. Make a wise choice, and be prepared to enjoy and fall in love with your new life at this new place.

Make sure that you are completely ready to feel like you are on your own. Must be an independent worker and thinker. You have got to keep a strong exterior in order to stay competitive among peers. Be ready for a "reality check"-you are no longer the "best", valedictorian or saluditorian. You must earn the positions.

Make sure you click with your school- go for a good match both academically and non-academically. College can be miserable if you choose based solely on major or the school's prestige. Your major can (and likely will) change, and prestige won't make you productive in your environment for 4 years.

I would really have appreciated knowing beforehand that I had to give a written answer to some of these questions. Very sneaky survey tactic - tsk tsk.

Don't overthink it, and you'll know right away when you visit a campus whether it's the one for you. Try to find something with a little mix of everything, in order to give yourself the flexibility to be independent yet receive an excellent education and develop strong relationships for life. Join some on campus group or organization your freshman year, this is where you will make your friends and find a comfort zone immediataley. Most important of all, don't stress too hard. It always ends up ok at the end of the day.