University of California-Riverside Top Questions

Let your children choose waht college they would like to attend. Riverside is not a bad campus but inform them that drug use is very common here, and like all other campuses, drinking is very common.

Take a guided tour of the campus then explore it on your own before deciding to attend; make sure to find out about the activities you are interested in (snowboarding, research, community service, etc.) and make sure they are available for you, and, if at all possible, try to stay over for a few days with a host student.

College contains some of the best, if not the best, years of a students life. A student really matures and grows a significant amount in their college careers, so picking the RIGHT college is extremely important. To do this, you must visit and explore the different colleges out there. They are willing to give campus tours to those who seek it, so utilize all the college resources and visit them. I guarantee students will know which college is right for them as soon as they set foot on campus. Once in college, live it up! However, the essence of time management must be known. Join the clubs, participate in intermurals, pull the all-nighters, and just enjoy these few years before entering the real world. College is all about networking and making the grades, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with potential life-long friends. There are many experiences that await you in a college, so experience them all and learn from them, as they will make you a better person.

Be sure to get a good look at the surrounding area of the school. Where the campus itself is safe, it is not reccomended to head out at night without a car. There are serious drug problems, prostitution, and all sorts of illegal activity lurking the streets. The campus is in a great location for a student that loves the beach and doesn't mind a drive. There is plenty of activity nearby in LA or San Diego, but this does require access to a car. The dorms are amazing, of course, complete with bad cafeteria food and all. The school is extremely diverse so if this is a problem then don't even bother. Most people are friendly, but the fraternities and sororities monopolize the center of campus and can be very fake and obnoxious. Despite it's flaws, I have loved every second here and wouldn't trade it in for the world! Like anything in life, the school is what you make of it!

I believe the best way to pick the right college for YOURSELF, is by visiting it beforehand. This really helped me find out which colleges weren't for me, even though they might have been popular colleges or located in cities I wished to be in. As a prospective student, you must ask yourself how important location is, whether it offers your major, and whether you are more comfortable having a diverse student body versus an undiverse body. Also, once you have chosen your school, it's important to get involved and participate in campus and off-campus events. You are going to be in college for the next 4 years or more, so you should get to know the people around you. Also get involved in organizations that concern your major.

I always live by the motto, what you put in it is what you will get out of it. Beacuse you can attend an amazing school, but if you do not apply yourself then you will not get all the opportunities that is offered at the school. For instance my finish year i was not that involved with the school because i just wanted to focus in school and that was all, i missed out on all the other opportunities that the university had to offer like Internships, sororities/fraternities, clubs, out reach programs and community services. All of those activities would keep me busy and also help me advance and grow as a person. After my first year i quickly learned that i need to used this opportunities that is offered on campus, now i have made so many connections with the staff on campus and i have really build up my resume. So dont ever sell yourself short.

College is probably the only place in the world where you can try so many different things like taking various classes, meet new people, join different clubs and learn from it all. It's a chance for everyone to spread their wings because usually the students are mature enough to start thinking about the future and what effect students can have on others and vice versa.

I would first suggest attending any orientation or information sessions of the college you are interested in attending. Although that would not give you a complete sense of what the school is like, you will at least get to visit the campus and see what it has to offer. Finding the right college is mainly about what you make of your college experience. There is no guarantee that you will get accepted into your dream school and if you don't, it is not the end of the world because you determine whether or not the college you go to is right for you. You need to be open minded and willing to get out of your shell and meet new people. Dorming is always a good chance to make new friends. Remember there are hundreds of other students that are in the same shoe as you and just as nervous so they are also wanting to meet new friends. Making friends is so important and helps make college life easier, but be responsible and don't neglect your studies. If it's hard to get yourself to study, make study groups with friends. That always helps.

Do your research on the college, if you like to be in a warm enviroment, obviously don't move to an eastcoast college where the seasons are more pronounced. In order to maintain good study habits, being comfortable in your home and campus enviroment is important. Furthermore, when choosing a college, don't believe the hype in the name, remember there is a future beyond your bachelor degree, even going to a state school will suffice. As long as you maintain the grades and work ethic, going to your dream school becomes less of a dream and more a reality. And if you decide that your future may not involve more schooling, than make the most of the school you will be currently attending. Internships, jobs, and extra cirrucular activities are available resources for you to utilize to best lay the foundation for your future. Lastly, even though you may receive financial aid in attending school, maintaining proper finances should be a top priority so if living at home is your only option, its ok you will still engage in the college social life experience if you want to, being comfortable is better than being broke.

Well just making sure that the student will be able to make a healthy transition. In addition, learning how to manage your money and being able to differentiate from necessities and junk.