University of North Florida Top Questions

Try and determine the type of school atmosphere you will be most comfortable in. Do not choose a school because everyone else is going there, your friends are going there or it seems to be "the school" to go to. A large school may be overwhelming, difficult to make friends, etc. A small school may not have enough interests for you. If you can research and determine the most important qualities in the lifestyle you will lead it will help. You need to feel comfortable and relaxed in order to succeed. If you realize you can't be far from home than decide that now. If you can't learn in a class with 500 learn that now. Tour the campus, talk to students that go there. It is a difficult transition from high school to college both socially and academically no matter the size of your high school. You will struggle to keep your grades in the best situation so being comfortable with where you are is extremely important. Don't choose a school simple for a major. Many students change their major anyway once they get into it. The school needs to have the total package for you!

Finding the right college is not as gruesome a task as one might imagine. As long as you have a general idea of what you may wish to do in terms of a career, you have already narrowed down your choices immensely. One should always consider whether it is best to stay close to home, or to broaden one's horizons and sail on new seas to truly venture out into the world. The size of the school is also important; larger schools tend to have more organizations, clubs, and other student activities while smaller schools lend themselves to a more close, community feeling. Once you have choosen the school you think is the best fit, it is time to really stretch your legs. If you don't involve yourself in activities, events, or organizations the college provides, you will find it difficult to meet new and interesting people, and the people are what make the college experience the most rewarding experience of your lifetime. Not the classes or the homework, it's the people who you learn from and teach. It's the people- your future best friends and greatest companions who share in your four-year journey.

Check out the area that the college is located, because you want a safe environment for the student when they are not on the school campus. Also check the ratio of graduates verses the ratio of jobs after graduation, make sure that the college is not just handing out degrees. Check out the reputation of the colleges graduates with companies within your chosen field. Ask questions about the avaiability of classes within your Major: are there a selection of days and times for your reguired classes? what kind of security is avaiable at the college? Most of all check out the facilities at the college, such as student centers, libraries, and recreation areas. Find a college that meets all of your needs and the student should flourish.

My advice to students and parents for finding the right college would be to focus on what you really need, not what others need. If you think you would feel more comfortable in a smaller campus then choose a smaller campus and don't worry that it might not be as prestigious as a larger one. In the long run, it will be better that you went to that smaller college.

College is an exciting time for any high school senior, but it can definitely be a stressful time for parents as well. Every parent wants their child to attend the college of their dreams, but financial situations can be a setback for most. The thing to remember is make sure students apply for as many grants and scholarships as they can because there are so many scholarships out there that never even get used. Finding the right college, though, can also be a difficult choice for many students and parents. Many parents would prefer their student stay at home and go to school, but going away to college can also be a major learning experience for students. Have the student pick their top 3 schools and make sure to schedule tours of the school, but also be sure to explore the areas surrounding the schools. The right college for a student is one that makes them feel safe away from home and will provide them with the education they deserve. Joining any clubs, group organizations or sports teams in college will make the college experience one a student will never forget.

Pick a school based on the city that it's in because whatever is prevalent around the campus are the type of people that go there. Embrance the people around you and learn from them.

follow your heart and do what you think is best for you. you dont have to be a leader or a follower just do what makes you happy and stay in school.

In order to find the right college for you, you should evaluate yourself first. Do you learn better in smaller classes or do you prefer larger lectures where instead of interacting with a professor you just take notes? The answer to this question will give you an idea of whether or not you will want to attend a large university. You also need to choose a school based on what you plan on doing in your future. Some schools specialize in certain areas. if you are unsure of what you want to study, choose a school that offers a wide variety of study fields so you can find out what is best for you. The location of your school is also very important. Think about the weather, available jobs, the area surrounding the university and how close you want to be to family and friends. With all of these things in mind, finding the perfect school is easy!

Tour potential campuses. Your institution should have an excellent program(s) for the field(s) you intend to study, but all the credentials in the world are meaningless if you are not completely satisfied with your surroundings. When you are on the campus of the right institution for you, you will know it is right. Everyone is different and has different needs, so make sure your campus meets yours. Also, use discretion when listening to recruiters for campus programs such as honors programs and societies, etc. Ask students who have participated in these types of programs about their experiences to ensure that recruiters are not simply luring you in with exciting words. Once you are a student, get involved! Find clubs, activities, volunteer work, etc., to allow you to meet new friends and stay busy. Your experience will be much more fulfilling than if you spend all of your time doing course work.

My advice would be to make the decision for yourself. If you have a dream school but your parents or friends are telling you that you won't get in, apply anyway. I picked a school that was financially better for my parents and hated it there. I recently was able to transfer to another school that is a much better fit for me. I wish someone had told me in the beginning to jsut go where I felt most comfortable instead of listening to all the other people telling me what I should do. I would also tell them to not be afraid to be bold. To make the most of your college experience be brave. Go ahead and try out for that varisity basketball team and if you don't make it then join an intermural team. If you want to sit with people in the cafeteria then ask to sit with them chances are they would love to have you. I wish someone had explained that to me too. I spent so much time crying and complaining about having no friends but the phrase really is true, in order to make friends you must show yourself friendly.