University of Colorado Colorado Springs Top Questions

Strong advice would to be search for any type of grants, scholarships, or financial aid online before enrolling in classes. Search early while you're still in high school and there are many ways that scholarships can help you financially get through school without paying an outrageous amount of money to get a higher eduacation which is needed in the cut throat demanding world we live in today. Talk to your financial aid at the school you want to attend and sometimes they can help you out more as well with some things you may not have known. Going to college is a must and many people would regret if they hadn't attended college. The college experience will always be with you for a lifetime.

I would make sure that as a student you visit the campus before you apply and make sure that it has the whole package. I mean everything you are looking for including majors, extracurriculars, and resources. Enjoy the local area and what it has to offer, studying is always beneficial but you need a break every now and then so go to concert venues, and school sponsored events.

In order to find the college that is right for you, you should know what career you want for yourself. You should also be patient and do your research because finding the right college can be very overwhelming. In order to make the most of your college experience, you should build strong relationships with your professors, academic advisors, and fellow classmates because they will be there to help guide you and to insure your success in life.

Don't let people take advantage and always read every document!

A lot of students choose a college because it is convenient - very affordable, near their home, and their friends are going there. I think it is essential to remember that college is an experience that will only happen once. Don't choose a college because it will be comfortable for you. Stretch yourself. Choose a school that will challenge you to not only follow your dreams, but succeed in them. Many students also look to college as a chance to party. There will definitely be chances to have a great time in school, but remember that your education is an investment. A lot of my friends spent too much time drinking, so their GPA's dropped. They spent a lot of money making up for classes that they failed out of. It's just not worth it. But I think the most important advice is to get involved. When you join on-campus activities, you meet awesome people who want a lot out of life and you really beef up your resume for that after-graduation job search. College can be a great experience if you make the right decisions. Make your college years count.

Parents and students should really consider finances above any other aspect. Make sure that you are spending the least amount you need for the education you want. It is not worth it to be hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt when another option was possible. Students should take advantage of any extracurricular activities they can to make the most of their time -- school-sponsored events, community service, study abroad opportunities, internships, etc. Another great tip is to take lots of extra classes that interest you if you can. Sometimes general requirement courses and a full course load of majors classes can get tedious, but a fun French course or golf class can make the semesters much more enjoyable. Plus, you're learning more! Most of all, be happy with your decision and make every effort to have fun and learn as much as your possibly can, that is what higher education is all about after all, right? Best of luck to all of you!

I would advise students or parents to tour the campus and become familiar with the available resourses for students. It is easy to be impressed by a list of resourses in a student catalog, but it can be very intimidating for a new student to approach the faculty or other students to ask for help. If parents accompany a new student to the campus tour, or prospective students go in a group, it is easier to ask questions and to feel confident and comfortable on the campus. After taking a guided tour, take time to roam parts of the campus the student will frequent, such as the library, book store, student activities and clubs, or buildings where most of their classes are likely to be held. Also get familiar with the administration offices. A new student needs to know where to go incase of trouble with financial aide, academic registration or counseling, the student health clinic, and campus security. A college campus is often the first community a student can be a part of while testing out individual independence. It is a place of growth and learning in academics and in life. Comfort and confidence are key to success.

I think the most important thing about choosing a college is the professors. If you find a college who has engaging and caring educators, it doesn't matter what college you are at, you will become invested in learning and ultimately, your future. No matter what career path you choose, you will succeed and believe in yourself when you have the support of your professors. The ones who go out of their way to make you learn. The ones who realize that life does get in the way sometimes and understands. As many friends as I made in college, the people I will always remember are my favorite professors. It's what their jobs all about.

As you are considering the many, many excellent colleges and universities in this country, never lose sight of what you are looking for in a school. If you dream of having a successful career, look for a career-oriented school with an emphasis on internships that will give you valuable experience as well as a degree. If you simply desire to learn, look for a school with a strong academic program that really stimulates your curiosity. You will find many schools with wonderful programs, but if the programs are not focused on the same things you are, they are probably not the right schools for you. Seriously consider what you value most, and make your decision based on those things - not just on the prestige or quality of the school, the location or appeal of the campus, how well you feel you fit in to the campus community, or the amount of scholarship money available to you there. All these things are important, but since you are attending college for a reason, the most important thing to consider is what will prepare you best for your future.

College marks the transition from child to adult. It is the transition in which the student discovers and solidifies his/her values. To Students: Take time to investigate the colleges and consider where education could take you! The college i attend was not my initial first choice, although it has been the best option for me. Consider all the implications and opportunities presented by each option. Work hard, but have fun also. Learning to balance your time is one of the biggest challenges presented. To Parents: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages in a rational fashion, it goes a long way. College is a way to help you accept your child has grown to be an adult. Respect and accept their decisions. Offer encuragement for being independent and help with financial aid (especially government or organizations like FAFSA or CollegeOpportunityFund).

Make sure the students knows what they want to do with there career. I would suggest a career class in the first semester. It also is very important to look at the cost of attending college.

Students should pick a school based on their interests first. If they want to go into journalism, they should seek schools that put students in that field. However, this can be rather flexible, since oftentimes, students change their minds about what they want to do while in school. Thus, I encourage students to also seek out schools that offer a variety of degree options. They should also seek information about campus activities, including the types of organizations already established on the campus, as this often largely affects the overall college experience. To make the most of the college experience, I would encourage students to get involved early. Go to club meetings right after starting classes, and seek out various interests. That's one mistake I made; I didn't get involved my first year in college, and I feel my experience was dampened a little because of it. I made many friends my last semester in college because I was willing to broaden my horizons and try new things. New freshman shouldn't make this mistake; start early and have fun. It's not a good college experience if you don't have a little fun in the process.

FInd a school that fits the class size your student wants. I love small class sizes they are more personal and the instructors know you more than just a number. Some people though like really large casses so it really depends on the student. Parents let your student make the decison it is their school and their future not yours.

Perosnally, coming from a middle class family raised by a single mom, money was tight. I think it is critical to take into consideration you and your family's financial situation, then from there see what two or three schools in that budget offer the most diverse or engaging faculty/campus. It is important to attend a school that focuses on creating relationships with other students. I found it especially helplful to make friends with students working on the same degree as myself. It was beneficial to have others to study or do homework with, or maybe bounce some life issues off of. Parents, let your kid find him/herself in their college years, college will truly shape them, not high school. Be available when they need you but let them start to figure things out on their own. Help them to prepare for the real world and their career after college without handing it to them on a silver platter. They are an adult, treat them like one, but never, ever, forget to show them love. It really helps us get through some of our darkest times that you might not even know we are dealing with. Thank you.

It isn't always about the tree-lined walkways and hip frisbee sessions. Sometimes its about being able to walk across campus and know everyone you see. Its about feeling free to talk to professors about anything and everything. Feeling safe in your home should never be an issue, so why should it be in your dorm room? Make sure you know how well your campus measures up on all of them... don't just ask the admissions director and the kid giving you the tour, feel free to walk into a class that they don't assign you and sit down, see what it feels like. Talki to freshman on campus, make sure they wanted the same things you do. Ecven when money's an issue, don't give up that dream school just because you have to sign a loan- that is what the future is for.

I truly believe that College would be miserable experience if students don't get involved. The first year I attended this school, I merely went to class, then work, then home. I did not enjoy school or really anthing for that matter. The next year I played intermural volleyball, joined student Government, Chaired the history club, and worked in the University Center. I love college so much at this point, that I really do not want to leave at all. I think that goes for any school in any city of any size. GET INVOLVED! Secondly, get to know your professors. I have made great friendships with my professors and I will spend hours in their offices discussing projects, politics, history and life. The bonds that I have made will always be special to me, not to mention the networking capabilities that they provide. I feel that I have learned more from them personally, than I did in the classroom. =)

The advice I would give to parents and/ or students about finding the right college is to visit all the colleges the students/parents are interested in and to communicate with each other about what school is the right one and why they think so. I would also advice the students to get more involved on campus. I would recommend students joining clubs and participating in events they are interested in. The more work you put into college, the more you will get out of it.

I would tell parents that they need not pressure their children in to going to college directly out of high school. It is a very important decision that the students need to make and it is hard to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life when you are 18. Give your kids time to think about when and/or where they want to go to school so they don't end up like many other kids who graduate with a college degree that they don't even use. A college degree is a great assest to have but it isn't helping you or anybody else to waste that much money on something you aren't going to use. You wouldn't buy a 50 thousand dollar car without researching it and thinking about your purchase as you shouldn't pick a school and degree without doing the proper research first. The students I would tell that this is probably one of the biggest decisions that you will make for the rest of your lives so you need to treat it accordingly.

I would advise students to find a college that best fits their life style and would ultimately help them succeed in life after they graduate. I currently attend a college which I regret attending and I dont want anybody else to suffer the same mistake as I have. For parents, it would be wise to listen to your child and let them go to the college they best feel would benefit them, not what you personally feel is right for them. College shold be one of the best times of a students life, so make it count where they can be happy and free to learn and live to their potential.

Visit the campus and while on the tour try to imagine you, or your kid for the parents, living, studying, and hanging out there. The school may be the greatest in the country but if you're not comfortable you won't learn and will be wasting your time and money.