University of California-Santa Barbara Top Questions

Do what feels right! The minute you walk onto the right campus, your heart and soul will know. You should feel comfortable and excited to participate and excel in your new environment!

I would say that parents should let their children decide where they want to spend their college years. College is an important time in every person's life to grow and succeed in their studies. While attending college, parents should not forget to remind their children that they should get invovled with their school as much as they can. You only get out of college what you put into it, and you only attend college once. So I believe that no matter where a person goes to college, parents should always remember to remind their children to make the best of their 4 years of college.

Go to school for education, not to party all the time. Talk to various students in person about their experiences and they can tell you everything you will need.

I strongly advise students to visit a college campus before deciding to enroll for the school year. Many times people have not felt safe in their environments, if they prefer a smaller school set in a rural area, they should not opt for a bigger school in a big city. I also strongly encourage that you be open to others, especially if you are living in the dorms, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and lonely the first couple weeks of school, so by looking for friends in your own area you are saving yourself (and them) from having to face the world by yourselves. Learn to manage your time, and money wisely. It is easy to get carried away by the social scene, so make CONCRETE study time. If you cannot study in your dorm, or house, make sure that you try the library, a coffee house, or somewhere where you know you will not find distractions.

I would make sure that your child visits the school more than once and sits in on a class or two, talks to current students about the activities they are active in. Also look at what is around the campus and the possible activities going on, the living accomidations and how friendly non college people are to college students. Also make sure that the choose is made by the student. Do not pressure you child to go to the school because it is close to home, where you went or is your first choice. They are trying their best to please you but let them choose what school is best for them and they will be more successful and happy.

You'll never really know how you're going to fit into a new school environment until you experience it yourself. Visit the school, does it click with you? Does the environment feel comfortable? Does it have the kind of classes you could see yourself enjoying? College is what you make it. You're on your own now, you're the one driving your life forward, calling the shots and steering yourself in a certain direction. The more energy you put into finding out what makes you happy and the harder you push your abilities without overworking yourself, the more you'll get out of your time in college. This is an opportunity to expand your horizon, develop your views about the world, but most importantly learn about yourself.

You will like any college you pick for the most part, you just have to make the most out of your experience.

Listen to your gut. I did, and it turned out great. To make the most out of your college experience be outgoing, take risks, and meet people. don't be judgemental. if you need help with anything, get it. there are resources all over campus for all your issues, you just have to find them. parents, let your child make mistakes, watch them, help them if they ask for it, but let them stand on their own two feet our they'll never learn, and you'll be stuck with a 21 year old you can't take care of themselves. kids, be independent.

College is all about figuring out who you are. A student wants to pick a college that will really challenge and stretch him. Whether that means going somewhere that is academically rigorous or has a diverse student body that the student is not used to. It's always best to find a college that has a lot of options because most freshmen don't have a clear idea what they want to do with their life. So if they go to a school that has a lot of other choices when they decide to change majors, they'll be better off. Location is also a huge factor in picking the right college. A student should carefully consider how affected they are by weather, being in a noisy city etc. because if he goes to a place where he can't acclamate, his next four years will be absolutely miserable. Lastly in order to make the most of the college experience its important to have fun, get out and try new things. A student doesn't want to look back on college and regret staying in to study instead of going out or sticking with activities that he's comfortable with.

Make your choice based on what you really want to do. It does not matter if you start off at a four year university or community college, as long as you do what you are passionate about. In the end, if you are determined to get what you and willing to work hard for it you will find success. Never settle for second best, trust me when I say that you will find nothing but regret in that. Finally, prepare for the best and worst experience of your life because college is not easy, and it will test the very foundation of your being, in the end you are the one that controls the outcome.

Your college experience is what you make it. Look for an enviroment that you feel comfortable in on campus and the surrounding area. You can thrive at any campus you choose, so just go with your gut. It will tell you what is best for you.

I would start looking at schools during high school and look at ALL of your options including community college. Once you transfer or start, University make sure you check with a counselor EVERY quarter so you know you are on track! Get involved with clubs, organizations!!!

Don't try to "fit the college" let the college fit you! :)

Finding the right college is a complicated task, because once in college, the majority of students often change their majors, and depending on the school they are attending the school may not offer that major, or be well known in that major. However, money should not be a deciding factor in deciding between schools. Because there are many scholarships offered which can help with tuition if the school may seem too expensive. The best way to remove doubt is to visit the different schools and decide which university or college is the most comfortable. And in order to make the best of college remember to have fun, but when it is time to study to study. And it never hurts to talk to professors and t.a.'s as intimidating as they may appear. They were once bright eyed students like us, wondering what they would do after they graduated college, and nervous to ask their professors what would be on the mid-term/final. In college, asking questions is the best way to get help on a subject matter during class. And go in with an open mind because college will show you many new exciting ideas.

To parents: Let your child feel things out on their own. Don't put any pressure on them but urge them to take school seriously. Once your child is at school, let them be independent. Don't call them every day- just once a week. Remind them that good grades are important to success after school but to make sure they have fun. Urge them to be outgoing in meeting people. To students: Don't be overly concerned with reputation. Visit schools when they're in session. When it's the right school, you know but do not get too excited for a school until you get in. Once you're there, try new things and meet lots of people. Don't expect your roomate to be your best friend. Take random classes. Don't ever try coke.

students: love your campus and know that its where you want to go! it's your experience! your life!!! be responsible! college can be challenging and hard a lot of the times and the decisions you make in collge can affect you in life so always be responsible and mature! there are alot of ways to get help or advice on campus. Parents: have good communication with your kids and treat them like adults.

It is important to start this process early to make it less stressful.About eight months prior to application make a list of the most important qualities in a school.This includes the size of a campus,location, weather,majors, and social life. Through the next few months visit as many schools as possible and make a check list. It is important to have realistic expectations and understand that the name of a school isn't what is most important, the school should just have the right fit for you. Make three categories of schools to apply to.Have a few "safety" schools which you are fairly positive you will get in. Also apply to a few "most likely" schools in which you fit into the criteria. Finally its good to apply to a few "reach" schools in which you are below the qualifications but would like to attend.Then start slowly writing and rewriting the essays the summer before applications are due..Once you choose the school that feels right transitioning is usually hard for everyone but you have thousands of fellow freshman that feel the same way so just stick with it and know you're not alone!

When you're looking for the right school, you want to keep in mind a school's reputation, but also to observe each place with an open mind. As I've discovered, people put casts around places that don't necessarily fit them. Go into a place with some expectations, but leave room to build your own idea of a place. Don't be lazy by relying on other's opinions of a school to to form your own idea of the place. Have a look for yourself! If you end up attending a school, remember that you are bound to meet all kinds of people and ideas that break stereotypes you maybe have developed. It is important that you approach people the same way I suggest approaching a school. In college you have the opportunity to be exposed to so many new lifestyles and opinions beyond that of your hometown. How you choose to view these perspectives can totally make or break your stay. I say: be open, don't be afraid to view things from every perspective and to create your own opinions. Having and sharing opinions is one of the greatest joys of an intellectual environment.

Visit as many campuses as possible and talk to as many students as you can! The only way to find the right fit is to get a feel for the atmosphere of the school. If your ideals and goals do not match with the campus you choose, you will be unhappy. Remember, you can go to college for as long as you want, but you're only an undergrad once. Make the most of all opportunities you are given, and have fun!

Make sure that you have no question as to your financial situation and always prepare your kids for college financially because universities are only concerned with people making their payments on time, regardless of their situation.