University of Nevada-Reno Top Questions

University is all too often treated as a daycare center for recent high school graduates. Young adults need time to expereince the world, learn who they are and what they want to do achieve in life before attending university. Taking time to do this will raise the quality of a university education. This break before university will allow students to be more mature, focused and have a more defined sense of purpose during their studies. All too often a students only reason for attemding university is that they have nothing else to do. This makes more like a chore or automated process than an actual learning expereince. Greater self knowledge will be very useful when selecting a school. The more students know about themselves and what they want to accomplish the easier it will be to select the best university for them. College should not be a place to kill time right after high school. Instead university needs to be a tool that helps shape the life you want. So take the time to expereince life and then deside how and what university best fits your needs.

Choose a campus where you have friends or family member living close by. It is always better to live somewhere where you are fimiliar with so that ones you go there, you don't feel lonely. Try to get involved with the on campus activities and anything that you like doing because that will keep your mind away from other school stress. Try to finish the homework and study for the exams as soon as you can because you want to enjoy the extra time you have before any exams. Go and study at the libraries and study halls because sometimes you will be able to make good friends there who might be able to help you with your studies and who might even become your good friend.

The student must have a true desire to learn during their college experience; you will only waste money at a big university if the student is not committed to learning. The parents need to know that their child has access to many helpful organizations that are dedicated to your childs learning and growth through college, allow them to use them and not depend on you for help every day.

Visit the college and get to know the surroundings before making a decision. Get to know the faculty and staff.

Go to school when you are young and your parents will pay for it. I am 45 years old and school is a lot tougher when you have a full time job and a family. But more importantly find a school that is your ideal, that fits your personality, and has the program you want. If you are an athlete in high school know that there is a school for you somewhere even if you aren't the best player or even if you are second string, there are thousands of colleges looking for players and most will offer some scholarship money to attend and play. Follow your dreams and work hard...you never want to be the guy saying I wonder what would have happened if?

Don't go into college thinking that you should major in something you academically excel at. Even if you are very good at certain subjects does not mean that you will enjoy that line of research or work. If you are unsure of what you want to get your degree in, take a variety of classes from different fields to see what you actually enjoy learning about. Find your passion and get your degree in that. It took me 2 years, but I finally switched from engineering fields to economics, and it has only increased my passion for the subject of economics.

Stay open minded! Whether getting into the college of your dreams or attending the one that is affordable or keeps you closer to your family -- look at it as a great opportunity. Expect to work hard and don't stress too much about the grades. Choose challenging courses and concentrate on personal growth rather than just satisfying a curriculum requirement. Take classes that you would not normally take like a dance class that may spin your mind in a surprising direction. Attend classes! Go and listen and talk and ask questions. Too much is on the web, but convenience is not always the best option, because so much of learning happens through human interaction. The connections we make with people are as important as the connections in our brains and our bodies. Discovery is best when it comes unexpectedly, but that phenomenon does not occur without discipline and dedication. As my statistics professor told us at the end of every class: "Work hard, but be happy in your work!" But most importantly, I think, is to own your mistakes. Down the road they won't look like mistakes, but colorful experiences. Have the love and the guts to learn!

In all reality, it matters more what YOU make of your college experience more so than which college or university you choose. I recomend going to college; it's a blast ,and it's what you make of it.

Make sure you look into the campus life and resources available on campus. Let your child choose who they want to be. As a student try to look at various college that are both near and far from your home town. Live on-campus during your freshman year even if you are attending college in the town. Be honest with yourself and your parents about your educational progress or failures. Always have and open mind and look at college as if it is the key to your future, not just the fact that you are able to party.

College is more than just studying, getting good grades, and making the dean's list. Although those are all really important too, there are other aspects about the college experience that you need to look for when choosing the right one. One of the main things that they should look at is the clubs and organizations available to the students. Getting involved in a club can be very rewarding, especially one that is involved with many on-campus activities. Joining a club means that you are involved with school and therefore more likely to enjoy the college life, which will make you a better student. Another aspect about college that people need to research is what kind of help does the school provide. By this I mean things like a tutoring center, computer labs, counseling, and other things that will help the student survive with classes. You want a school that has top-notch accessible aids that will help them succeed. With technology advancing every year, there is no excuse why a college campus shouldn't have at least a few computer labs. Education is very important, but without the experience or help it won't be worth it.