Lindsey
I believe you have to want to be ready to learn and succeed with your goals. My best advice to parents is to take an active part in your child's education, but don't push them. Stay informed, let them learn as adults to make decisions conducive to their career goals and social needs. Parents should take an active roll as a friend and mentor, not a dictator! Step back and watch your child explore themselves - provide insight where needed and help your student meet their full potential. My best advice to students is to get involved and stay aware of resources on campus. Know what your paying for, know what your school offers to you as a student and take ANY help you need. College is a stressful time, enjoy it because it will only get more stressful out in the real world. Explore your talents and interests, they will best benefit you and be your guide in making the most of your education. Let it work to your advantage!
Sarah
Visit the college first and take your time deciding and don't go just because of the sports.
Ashleigh
Think about where you would like to be in the future. Then find what college will help you fill in the gaps of who you are today and who you want to be in the future. Any college someone choses should be academically challenging but there should also be a comfort level which is satified as well. College is a major part of one's life and finding the college that fulfills your academic, moral, and social needs will make the transition into a new life much easier.
Angelita
I would let parents know that finding the right college can be a difficult decision. It is not a decision to be taken lightly, considering the amount of money that goes into funding a child's extended education. So serious thought needs to go into the decision. Finding the right college is about finding a place that allows your child to be themselves in all aspects of their schooling, and enables them to succeed. Finding the right school is also about finding a place that can stimulate your child's mind and provide them with ways to explore different avenues of thought. Ulitimately, finding the right college means finding what's right for your child, not yourself. Even though you may be concerned for your child's education, the decision for the right fit should go to the them since they will be the ones surrounded by the environment.
Kathaleen
Work hard and realize you are going to have to make sacrifices to get the things you want.
Troy
Find the college that best suites you. Dont listen to what anyone has to say. I feel like every highschool student's parent should take there child on a college road trip and visit alot of college. Not only is that motivational, it inspirational. Seeing a college as a potential student puts a sense of urgency in the students heart ( at least it did for me). Once the student graduates high school and starts their first year of college try to get them to get their feet wet in some type of organization or some kind of service. This will allow them to meet people and establish themselves as a serious student at the school. Also try to get the student to talk to their teachers. Teachers repect a open student so much more then one who sits in the back quiet. Plus you never know how many times you might have that teacher, seeing how most professors teach more then one class. Last but certainly not least dont let the student's social life take over. This is very important. Often times the student is overwhelmed with the freedom college brings.
Rhonda
I would strongly stress the importance of searching for colleges and scholarships early. The problem I had was not knowing enough by the time I was a senoir in high school and by that time it was almost too late. Get started your freshman or sophmore year in high school. It will definitely save alot of stress and headaches down the road.
Corrina
Its not about going to the most prestigious college, its what you make of your experience at any college and how hard you push yourself educationally or mentally to achieve your goals. Try new things, be brave, and if your not happy change the things that are holding you back from what you want. Never let anyone tell you no. If your wrong the first time around with your decision on what college you want to go to make sure to not wait around and stick it out... change to a place that you can love because if your happy socially you will most likely be academically successful as well.
Kristi
The key to finding the right college is finding what's right for your individual needs. Just because a school has a prestigious name or a fancy campus doesn't mean it will be the best option for you personally. Focus on your academic interests first and foremost, and allow them to guide your decision. Searching for a college that has a strong program in what you want to study will significantly narrow your options. I wanted to find a school where I could double major in Dance and English, and this unique combination led me to the one university where I knew I could recieve the highest level of instruction in both subject areas.
After limiting your options, do some internet research based on the factors that are crucially important to you. For some people, this will be the level of diversity and acceptance in the student population. For others, this might be a vibrant campus social life or the quality of on-campus housing. For me, this deciding factor was location, as I found the two-hour proximity from my family's home to be a perfect fit. I wish you the best of luck in your search!
Andrew
Let student pick a college that the would like to go to not one that caters is to the parents interests