University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Top Questions

Don't judge a college by its size or its reputation - judge the college by how you feel when you are visiting the campus. Initially I did not want to go to U of I because I heard the school was too big, but when we visited campus, I sat on the steps of the union overlooking the quad, and it just felt right. Also, scholarships are out there, you just need to look in the right places! To make the most of your college experience, join clubs and intramural sports teams! Dorms are an excellent place to meet new people and do new things - I went on a snowboarding trip my freshman year and it was so much fun! Plus I got to meet people in my building. Don't be afraid to talk to people in your classes - it is a great way to meet new people and form study/homework groups. At college, you are truly free to create your own identity and be who you want to be. It is a great time to learn how to live on your own and to mold yourself into whoever and whatever you want to be!

It is hard. It is frustrating. It takes a lot of time. Finding a college for you or your child is very tedious. But also it is the most exciting decision a young adult has the opportunity to make. Parents and children may disagree a lot in the process, but one thing both parties can agree upon is that college is costly. The expenses are intimidating and at times over whelming. I was completely indecisive when choosing my college path. Of course everyone dreams of jetting of to Hawaii, or Colorado, but realistically money does play a large factor. My in state school is a prestigious institution which not only am I proud of to attend, but happy the loans are as minimal as possible. But putting the tuition payments and students loans aside, these four years of a person?s life are a pedestal for their future. College is a place where a person can find who they truly are, what they like to do, and what makes them sincerely happy. College is time where a person can strive academically, grow socially, and find oneself emotionally. Choose wisely, choose carefully, and choose with your heart.

Don't look to much about the rankings. It's about how your student feels at the university. Whether or not it truly is about them. Let them fulfill their dreams and ambitions rather than what you want them to do. I find this produces more successful people... not necessarily in monetary terms but overall wellbeing.

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Every student has their own set of interests and talents. Though it isn't necessary to have pinpointed those talents and interests that will get the student a job, it is a good idea to know what those are and know which colleges take those interests and talents to heart and know how to turn those into jobs the student can enjoy in the future. Once the right college(s) has/have been found for the student and once they have moved there, it's important for the student to have time management skills most of all. Without knowing the true definition of procrastination, which I consider to be... Changing one's priorities from the most important thing to do to something else when there is no valid reason powerful enough to justify such a switch. ...the student will tend not to do homework to the best of his or her ability and/or ruin his or her social life by procrastinating to the point of NEEDING to do homework at a certain time when their friends coincidentally ask, "Hey, you wanna go out tonight?" If the student can handle that, he or she will do fine!

I truly advise parents to take the opportunity to make college visits. I know the idea of college visits has dwindled over time, but the value and understanding of how the college operates is important. I personally would have enjoyed it more if I knew my options and would have preferred to attend college on the west coast. Secondly, I advise parents to take some consideration and interest in what classes their kids are taking. If parents can see that their kid has a semester's worth of AP credits or other credits entering freshmen year, they should be aware that their kid can possibly graduate early and if they are not, then there must be some explanation.

Choosing the right college is a decision that brings about a huge amount of stress and uncertainty to prospective students every year. Speaking as a student who now has experience in college I can say that resolution to such a predicament isn't truly that difficult. It all resides on what you as a student truly want out of life after high school. Do you prefer a campus environment in which the student population is condensed and class sizes are small enough to grant greater professor to student interaction? Do you prefer one that emphasizes a large sense of community in which their exists an enormous amount of volunteering, social, philanthropic, and academic possibilities. When you really get down to analyzing things, however, the real problem lies not necessarily in the campus, the professors, or the classes offered, but in what you as an individual set yourself to achieve. The trick is to know what you want and go for it , to set an agenda and stick to it, and to be confident and assertive in whatever you choose to do. Don't let the campus define you, define yourself for your campus and the experience will be revolutionary.

My advice would be first for the student to think about what is best for them. Don't choose a school for a best friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, or alumni parents. Second, visit as many schools as you can so you can see what you like, dislike, or where you are most comfortable. I felt closed-in on a small campus, but I didn't know that until I visited one. Another thing to consider is what school has the best program for what you want to study. To make the most out of your college experience, always be thinking about living for the moment and to have fun. (Without getting in trouble). You will never get these 4 years of undergraduate school again. Make new friends, go out on a weeknight, gain the freshman 15 , and take as many interesting classes the school has to offer!

Find your child's best learning style, don't worry about size, your child will make the campus metaphorically small or large with the friends they make.

There's really only one way to tell what school is right for you. It's something that you'll know, a place where you will feel comfortable. I remember walking onto campus of the school I attend and picturing myself walking to classes or making friends there. To find the right college, you just need to let yourself decide. You'll know when you're on that campus and it feels right. As for making the most of the experience once you're there, the same idea can apply. Open yourself up to EVERYTHING and see where you end up. Try joining some clubs, rush a sorority/fraternity, make friends in class, and just be open minded. You can always find something that fits you at a college campus, and to do so, all you need to do is let yourself.