University of Central Arkansas Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of Central Arkansas know before they start?

Lyna

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! It is a major waste of time, and will definitely make you behind on lectures. Pay attention in class! Especially any sciences classes. Although it may not seem very important at the time, it will help you in your college studies. Be sure to make as many friends as possible, build a network of support and friends, especially ones that are going into the same field as you! They will no doubt help you in transitioning and help you during those days of hard-core studying for an exam! Try to keep yourself on a time schedule; time management is a great ability to have. Other than that, just enjoy your life as it comes; HAVE FUN!

Stephanie

Always visit the campus and talk to some of the students there before hand. I've heard a lot of people say that when they visited the campus of one of their choice colleges, their mind was made up. Plus college wouldn't be so great if you didn't get along with anyone there! Also make sure that they have a good program for the major you're thinking about, cause that's why you came to college, so make sure their academics are right for you. Making the most out of your college experience can be difficult. Make sure to put your studies first! I've seen so many people lose their scholarships their first year of college it's ridiculous. When you get used to your workload then feel free to have some fun on the weekends, and take advantage of the fun school sponsored events. Instead of studying alone, make a study group with friends. Thats another thing: make friends. There are thousands of people going to your school besides you, and one of the best ways to enjoy college is to is to enjoy it hanging out with your friends, so make lots of them!

Allyson

Finding the right college for you is something extremely personal. Don't pick your school based on where your friends are going or where your parents want you to go. If a school seems right for you, trust your instincts. Find out as much as you can about the school you want to go to before making a final decision. Find out what scholarships are available from the school you decide on, but don't think schools are the only ones who give money. Your church, your parents' employers, and many other organizations want to give money to college students. Take advantage of these sources - there is often much less competition.

Moriah

My advice to future parents and/or students would be to choose the college that has the major you are intrested in. If you follow your friends to college, you will be gaurenteed a good social life, but you have to keep in mind why you are going to college. Hopefully it is to get a good degree, so pick your college wisely. As far as making the most of the experience, I would advise to get involved in many groups to meet new people and to be involved in the community. Also, as far as dorm life, make as many friends on your floor as possible. Those will be the ones you become closest with because you see them everyday.

Re'Ven

Finding the right college to attend is so important. If a child is to succeed, they must attend the college they are most interested in. If you do not like the school you attend, the experience may not be as great. You should also find the college that offers the most in your desired major. To make the most of your college experience you should make lots of friends. However, you should learn to separate yourself from those who are not serious about earning a degree; some just simply attend college to hang out. As a freshman, students complain or become discouraged when they do not achieve a certain grade. As a result, parents can be the biggest support and motivation to encourage their chilld to stick with it and not give up. Students should most definitely become aquainted with their professors. If you do not understand, please ask. You can not stay in college forever, so make the best of it.

Kalesha

I would tell parents to definitely let their child make their own decision. Most parents only choose the college that THEY think would be good for their child, instead they need to let their child make their own decisions. I think if your a perspective student you should definitely take the time out to really look good and hard for a good college, you should do all the research you can and chose the best one for you. It is very important to visit the campus, get to know the school and what its all about. It is a big and very important step to make the right choice about choosing a college.

Lauren

find the college that makes you most comfortable once u get on campus! mission statements are key also!

Jennyfer

Don't be scared of money issues. Go with what you want.

Whitney

Pick a school that has great teachers and a great atmosphere. Students will be totally bored and never want to go to class otherwise! Also, once enrolled in classes, be sure to make friends so you can make study groups and exchange notes. This helps tremendously for studying for tests! You can never redo your college experience so be sure to look at every aspect of every school before you decide. Also, look at tuition rates. Sometimes it is not work spending $1200 for just one class!

Alannah

I would keep finances in mind. College isn't cheap or easy and it takes a lot of work and determination to keep grades high and scholarships stable. You want to find a college that will accomodate your goals for the future while allowing you to not go bankrupt. This alone will help make your college experience so much greater because it will take away a lot of the stress associated with financing a college education. Other than that, have fun! Be yourself, reach out to classmates, dorm-mates, teachers, advisors, and take advantage of all your school has to offer. If you do this, and keep your education and goals as your first priority, your college experience will be the time of your life.

Hana

I suggest trying out as many options as you can before deciding on a college. I suggest taking tours of every college that is an option and talking to student orientation staffs and asking them any questions you might have about the college. I would also suggest researching the academic availabilities of the college and make sure they offer the majors that you are interested in. Also, just going for a walk without a guide and spending some time on the campus will really give you a feel for how it will be when you're actually a student there.

Hana

I would tell them to find a college where they feel comfortable being themselves and where they feel they can excel in every aspect of their lives. I would also tell them to get involved in campus activities, especially a campus ministry because it will keep them on the right track and it will allow them to grow, spiritually, and to form a close relationship with God and with other people.

Andrew

Look at what you want to do with you life, balanced with how many resources and the college has to offer in regard to that. As for your experiences, do not allow your inhibitions to hinder you during your first year. Get involved. Meet people. Take risks. I was once told that 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students who don't return for their sophomore year probably would have had they developed even 1 meaningful relationship during their first year. Do well in your classes and study hard, but if you spend all of your time in the library and are afraid to throw youself in the mix that college is, you will find yourself a very, very unhappy and unsatisfied person. Even the most hardworking of students needs somebody to get them out of the books once and a while and do something crazy or unexpected. The purpose of college may be to receive a degree, but I guarantee that you will learn just as much from your college experience outside the classroom as you will on the inside.

Derius

I would say to parents/students that in order for you to achieve your goal in life the foundation has to be solid. The college that you choose is your foundation so be sure that whatever college you choose, it offers you the opportunity to achieve your goals. By this, I mean you should be sure that the major that you choose is pointing you down the path to your ultimate goal which is your lifetime career after college. Parents should be positive throughout the student's college life. Be there to guide your student. Students should take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime . You can be whatever you want to be. The sky is the limit but you must work hard .

Matthew

Be sure to take advantage of the tours and events prior to choosing the college to make sure the student will fit in with the lifestyle available. Also be sure to check on accreditation of programs of interest before choosing the university to make sure the student won't be wasting their time going to a college that doesn't offer certified programs in their area of interest. most importantly just make sure the college or university feels right and is somewhere they will be intersted in staying for the next four years.

Kimberly

Before you even choose the right college, make a list (not too big though) limited to about 20 maximum choices. For many, it won't come near that number. Then categorize those choices into three categories: Favorites (no matter the cost), OK Choices (the ones that are worth considering), and the Fall-Backs (the ones that you know you will be accepted to and you would be willing to attend if needed). Consider the pros and cons of these choices, taking into account the cost, scholarship opportunities, distance from home, transportation, fields of study, possible future opportunities, and competitiveness of the acceptance policy. If possible, tour the schools that you narrow your choices down to. This will help you get a feel for it. If the school has no application fee, go ahead and apply even if you're not sure just so you will know where you stand in terms of getting in the schools that you really want. Apply to all of the scholarships you can for your top schools to see if you could afford to go to that school. Apply for scholarships through your high school. Relax. Whichever college you choose, you will enjoy yourself.

Jordan

If you are undecided about a major, look for a school that is strong in the areas that you excell in. Also look for an environment that is appealing. Look for schools with activities that are engaging to you. You must have some outlet for recreation and exercise to do your best acdemically and avoid burnout.

Andrew

Research your school! Ask current students about the professors! Ask about the scholorship retention rates! Ask about construction plans! Ask about university presidents scholorship oppurtunities! Ask about graduation rates! Ask about crimeand campus security! Ask about on campus housing and availability after your 1st year! Have a class schedule plan! Talk to current students and ask how they like /dislike their schedules and how to better schedule your classes. Make an effort to develop a relationship with all your professors so you will know how they really want the work to be done! Do all of these and you will be miles ahead of the other students!

Richard

The search for the perfect college should be more about the program of study the student is looking for than for one closest to home or cheapest. Different colleges offer different courses; for instance, it may be more advantageous to attend a technical school for electronics training than to attend a liberal arts college looking for something to interest you. Beyond that note, money should not be a factor to rule out a school. There are all different kinds of funding available, from scholarships to grants to loans, there is always a way to pay for college. To make the most of your college experience, get out there. Join a club, play a sport. I did none of these and sat in my room doing homework and surfing the web because I didn't want to get active. It helps curve the freshman-15 (15 pound average gain during freshman year) and will introduce you to new people which will, in turn, even enrich your own life. Spend enough time studying to be sure that you are ready for class, but beyond that get out and have fun. You're still a kid at this point, enjoy it!

Jennifer

Make sure that you'll be able to afford the school, either through a scholarship, or work. Loans are great but only when you're getting the money! It takes forever to pay them off! If you are a very close family, i would pick a college that is close to home, at least in the same state or just a few hours away even. Believe me you'll want to go home after a while without your loved ones. Be careful who you room with, just because someone is your best friend doesn't mean you are fit to be roomates! I've seen some bad friend break-ups, its not pretty. Don't rely strictly on the cafateria for food, you will need something besides pure carbs eventually, not to mention it causes weight gain, make use of the gym girls! And of course make sure the college you pick has the fields of your intrests! And even though you think you know what you are majoring, take your second and third choices, and make sure the college has them too, just in case! Other than that just have fun and don't be afraid of new experiences!