Sandra
I would advise students to really do their homework when selecting a school. They should seek information on the reputation of the school, as well as, the student retention rate. Potential students should do a thorough walk-thru of the campus, especially the dining areas and the dorms. When a student has decided on a college, they should make sure to talk to a financial aid counselor and plan for college expenses, and make a budget plan for the semester. Once the student starts college, he/she should get involved in school activities or organizations around campus. But, they should also make sure that the activities do not interfere with their classes and classwork. They should also learn how to properly balance school, work, and their social lives. And the students should make their college years enjoyable, and something they can remember for years to come.
Alysia
Be considerate of your students' decisions when selecting a college. Afterall, they are the ones that will be effected
in the education they receive. But in order to receive a great education, the student must put forth the effort required to gain it.
Be sure to try and understand their views and/or opinions of their decision rather than thinking only your own opinions matter. Just because you are the parent does not mean you are always right; your child is attending college in their first step to entering adulthood, and if you do not allow them any part to which college they attend, you are back-tracking the process.
Selecting the right college is a very important decision and you must observe every aspect each college has to offer. Everything from student housing, expenses, acamedic focus and tutors, campus involvement activities (Greek affairs, clubs, sports, organizations), distance from home and places around the campus, and of course, security. Your child's major plays the biggest part of their education, and can also make them friends! It is very important to fulfill these aspects to obtain a great college experience!
Ryan
I would tell them to find a school that fits their social behavior, the right size for them, and one that has the right academic level for them.
Rachel
Regardless of what college you choose, you have to create the outcome. Every college has its shortcomings but you can find the most exciting and entertaining things to do. This is the one time in your life where you will get to try it all so make sure you don't graduate without going to see a play, the symphony, or a guest speaker. This is the defining moment of you life so do your best to make the most out of it. As for your school work remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Do your job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." If you follow that advice, you will have a successful college career and you will be well on you way to a great future!
Gil
My decision was based on my major and I looked at schools that were known for what i intended on majoring in. Another important thing is to visit as many schools as you can! Go where you feel like you are home because you will be spending your next 4-6 years on the campus. When it comes time to apply to schools I would recommend appyling to at least five and trying to get financial aid also. My senior year i applied to one school and I got accepted but did not find out untill late April that i didn't get the scholarship i needed! The next few weeks i was frantically trying to find a school and luckily The University of Memphis fell in my lap and i am very happy it did, but do not put yourself through that stress!
Geoffrey
The advice that I would give to students is to find a major that would interest them, and go reseach different colleges that had your intended major, and find out about that major at the colleges of your choice. I also would tell to them become more focus on their academics and interact with their classmates and form study groups. In addition, students need to get out on campus and make new friends, join various clubs or activities, and most of all make themselves known to others students. In conclusion, students would become more thankful if they did this. It would make them cherish their college years as they reach their potential career goal.
Jena
I would tell parents and students to stop worrying about finding the right college. When they visit their future college campus, they'll know. It just feels right. I would also say to go to college at least a couple of hours away from home. It's really hard to be without your family, pets, and friends. It's important to remember that it's not where you are, but the people you are spending your time with that make you who you are. So, while it would be great to go to college somewhere near the beach, if it's away from home you'll miss your family too much to enjoy it.
As for making the most of your college experience, I'd say not to concentrate on having fun so hard. Concentrate on your schoolwork, so you don't regret it later. It's important to be sociable, but only after you've finished your homework. Find friends you can study with, not friends who will distract you from your studies. Keep up with your school's website so you know what events are going on. Most of all, have fun, you only go to college once.
Allison
My best piece of advice to incoming freshman is to move away to a college and have the whole college experience, even if it is just for a year. You meet so many new peoplea and it really is an experience of a lifetime. Parents, trust your kids and let them experience college on their own, even if it is a little scary they are 200 miles away.
Nicole
Choosing the right college is not an easy task. Choose a college that will make you feel safe, has things that interest you, and cost is reasonable.
Lindsey
First, you must decided what YOU want out of college. You can't get anything out of the experience unless you're willing to. Keep in mind how far you want to be from home, or if you want to live at home while attending college. Always take atleast one class you know you will absolutly enjoy, it balances the classes you are required to take. I reccomend getting involved in some sport, club, or group to help adjust and meet new people in your same situation. If you decide to live in a dorm, attend any orientations, mixers, or dorm meetings, it is a great way to meet some of your new neighbors and make the dearest of friends. Finally, have fun! College is a time of growth and exploration, studying is most important, but take a break so you don't miss out on the friends, the football games, and the memories.
Joe
Visit the college. Shadow a student or two. Talk to the professors. Go with someplace that gives you a shot at your future goals.
Brandy
I think a lot of people come to this school because of its location, but not for the level of education it provides. I would tell all parents and students to MAKE sure this is where you want to go. Also, have a plan on paying for college. My parents had nothing saved and I was .25 points away from being able to get a transfer scholarship. I have over $20,000 in student loan debt. With the steadily falling economy it is scary to think that the promising future I hoped for will not help me at all with my debt. Be smart about your education!
Carllena
Always visit several schools before making your decision. It's important to feel comfortable in your enviornment. Get involved; it's always fun to meet new friends. Make sure that your classes are chosen properly, and your financial aid (if you are recieving it) is correct; don't be afraid "nag" or "bug" the people in Administrative positions.
Dominique
In finding the right college the first thing I would suggest would be to do financial aide and make sure that you can afford the college that you are choosing. After entering college to make the most of put education first ( that is what your there for), dont party too much, and make as many friends as you can because once your done with college everythings changes. College is a learning and growing experience so study hard, party sometimes, and build lasting relationships.
Katherine
Do not buy books from the bookstore on campus, or off campus; go online to buy books.
Justin
Make sure that the culture of both the campus and the city it is located in are positive for the student, spend more than a day checking out the campuses. Do research on the costs and benefits of going to a school: cost vs. financial aid, living costs, job opportunities (both during school and after graduation). Spend time living on campus, at least a semester or two because it is a great way to build bonds that are tough to make in a strictly achedemic atmosphere. Study hard, but make sure to keep an active social life on and off campus.
Andrew
Parents and students should look at a variety of large, small, public, and private schools. See what the college has planned for the future of the school and students. Does the school look like make an effort to meet and exceed needs and wants of students?
A small part-time job makes students feel responsible for their income and spending instead of being spoiled by parents. Parents and kids should keep good communication.
Jonathan
Firstly, college may not be the best choice for everyone. There are several roads people can take during their lives--college being down some of them. You should base your decision off of what you are most passionate about. If college is necessary to get to where you want to be, consider the following scenario. Let us say that where you are right now and where you want to be are divided by a river. College is not a pretty little bridge that will take you to the other side. College IS the river. You have to swim across it. There are three things you should consider when attempting this: time, qualities, and results. With respect to time, consider at which point in your life college best fits. In many cases, it is not directly after high school. Rivers rise and fall with time. With respect to qualities, consider how comfortable each university makes you feel. Swimming across an ice-cold river that races at 200km/h may not be a good idea. With respect to results, consider where each university can take you. Why swim across a river when the other side is not where you want to be?
Bibifatemeh
Do your research. Comply a list of you priorities that you want in a college. Choose the one that meets those or most of them.
Britny
First and foremost, I would say don't follow someone to a certian school. Go to the school of your choice. Don't let someone else make this important choice for you. College is about networking and finding out who you are and what you want to be in life. There is a time for studying and a time for play. Make sure you balance these times appropriately to ensure that you do your best with school and not waste time. Reward yourself when you do well in school but remember it's not over until graduation, and even then keep in mind that what you do now can affect what happens down the road.