University of Florida Top Questions

Instill moral values in your children that will carry with them into college. Teach them about Jesus.

Finding the right college is tricky. I found that visiting several very different colleges during the regular school year helped me solidify my decision. By actually going to the diverse campuses and talking with the students, I was better able to decide what I wanted in a college. Because I am confident I made the right choice for me, I feel that I am getting the most out of my college experience because I feel so welcome and comfortable where I am. Wherever you decide to go, I highly recommend getting involved with extracurricular activities because it is a great way to meet people who share common interests/beliefs as you do. College is a constant growing experience, so savor all the good, the bad, and all the new experiences coming your way!

This only happen once. Stay focused but have fun. College is supposed to be hard, so it takes work, but don't get discourage. Choose a college you want and a major you enjoy, this is what you could potentially be doing for the rest of your life! Have fun! Try new things! but be safe!

Weigh the financial implications heavily. But realize that at the end of four years, your academic experience is what will matter. No matter where you go you will make friends, party, particpate in extra curricular activities, go to concerts, go on road trips, try new things, etc. The right college is one where the student body has the same attitude as you do towards your studies. That way, you will be encouraged and supported to do well from the very beginning. Studying and succeeding won't be such a struggle -- your peers and professors will expect from you as much as you want to put in. Pick the college that at the end of your senior year, you will miss and you will cherish everything you took away from it.

To find the right college, I would say to definitely do your research and visit lots of schools before you decide. I know that changed my top choices in ways I never imagined. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions of students and staff while you are there. They can answer more candidly than a brochure. To make the most of your college experience, I would encourage any student (new or returning) to get involved where your interests lie. If you want to learn/try something new, don't hesitate to go for it. Most people are looking for friends with similar interests just like you are. Most groups are always looking for new members. Teachers are also great resources for helping you make connections based on your academic interests, including research and job opportunities. The people you meet in school will be your help and your competition while you are there and after you leave, so you will be better off if you branch out and make new friends. You'd be surprised by how many people outgrow their friends from high school. And most of all, have fun! This is the time to try new things!

Find a school in an area that you're comfortable with. Visit with the professors before deciding on a school. Great teachers can make any school better. Social life is not the most important thing in college. You will always be able to find a group of friends on a college campus so don't choose a school just because all of your friends are going there.

Visit all your top choices and go with your gut feeling. I had always wanted to go to the University of Florida, but I still went around looking at around 20 different schools all over the country. Once I walked on to the Florida campus though and met people who went there I just felt like I was home. Do not go somewhere because you feel like you have to, go somewhere because you know that it fits you.

I would tell them its not about the reputation of the college; rather its about your individual effort while you are there. It is the student's sole responsibility to look out for themselves, financially, educationally, and socially. It is a student's responsibility and not the school or parents to find internships, balance their budget, succeed in school, and to have a good time. I would tell the parents to trust their kids and give them some freedom to succeed on their own, even if it means letting them get in trouble and learning things the hard way.

I would like to advise students to explore all their career opportunities that each college has to offer. When looking for the right school for them, they should always inquire about what different programs are available in their field of interest specifically. Also, they should always visit the campus and if possible, contact current students. It is important to know what the university has to offer aside from academics, to assess if this is an appropriate environment for you. I would also advise students to get involved on campus but to understand that their studies should be their first priority. It is very easy to get derailed from your goals when first living on your own. Therefore, staying in touch with your family and your personal values is key to succeeding in college. For students that are not completely sure of what they want to study, they should make an active effort to realize what they are most interested in as early as possible. As for the parents, I would advise them to keep tabs on their children's progress while giving them room to grow independent .

I strongly advise visting the campus before hand and figuring out whether or not you prefer attending a smaller or larger college. I believe the size of the college is the most important differentiation to make when visting with campuses. I say this because my major dissatisfaction with the college I attend stems from the fact that I attend a large university; because the school is so large it is hard to really get to know your profeessors and to get adequate advising or even advisors that really seem to care about your future. This obviously isn't a probelm for all students (or they wouldn't be attending here!), but I came from a small, personable high school so this was a difficult transition for me. However, I still make the most out my college experience by taking advantage of what a large college offers. My advice: really make an effort to meet new people, talk to your professors, venture out and participate in events or activites you normally wouldn't. I strongly believe that the perosn I am today was more so molded by my time at college than any other period of my life.