University of North Texas Top Questions

I would tell them that four years goes by fast, so they need to make the most of it. Get involved early on. They also need to know that if they are still undecided to not worry because even if you get your degree and don't go into that field there are still many jobs available to you. I would tell the parents that even if your child is going far away to school do not worry encourage your child to go out and meet people and when they get sick for the first time when your not around espect a phone call. Also, to send care packages it makes them feel good, and loved.

Dont overthink it. It sounds strange, but one of the biggest mistakes in making a choice for college is overthinking. People get stressed out and worried about making the right choice, they look at all the different aspects of multiple schools, and they analyze each and everyone of them till they choose the "right" one. This "right" one could be the complete wrong decision. New students need to try and find a good school, but they should be more focused on finding the place that is right for them. The place that they will achieve there maximum potential, the place they will fit in and learn to the best of their ability. So dont overthink about the schools, narrow it down and find that "special" place that is there for you. Good luck.

Finding the right collegecan be a long drawn out process of applications and campus tours, but for many that process it worth it in the long run. Once you've gone on the tour, checked to make sure the university has your major, and applied for financial aid, you can finally enjoy college life. The right college for you should make you feel at home and safe, inspire you, and create an environment that you'll fall in love with. Once you get to college you're faced with so many activities, class assignments, and friends, but the key is to find the right balance between social life and academics. If you stay on top of things with your class work, going out with your friends to the movies will be much more enjoyable and worth while. Get involved, but be able to draw the line when you've got too much on your plate. Go out for a late night coffee run to reward a long night of studying. You need breaks to reenergize; you're going to college to learn, not make good grades. Basically, live each day as a new adventure.

Visit the campus. See where the students eat, study and hang out. These are what really become important once the decision to attend has been made.

I would tell them that it?s not the parents life being forever altered by the experience; let the children makes their own mistakes. There is an overplayed occurrence in our society, parents forcing their alma mater upon their children. College is the time for a person to realize life is not a walk in the park, it has twists and turns socially and academically. Students will find themselves financially weak and in need of monetary help throughout this testament of time, but through the trials and tribulations that are presented, the student emerges the person they will be for the rest of there lives. A student goes to college with an underlying drive to accomplish something, whether it be academically, athletically, spiritually, socially, or even just in appeasing, they go to school for something. They can not "blossom" into adulthood if parents are still at the wheel in their children?s journey, and that is the reason why many do not succeed in college. They are tossed into a situation they mentally did not prepare for because the parents were in control. It should be the students roll to choose there life. Choose their successes, and their failures.

The best advice I can can give anyone about choosing the right college would be to visit as many schools as you can and talk with actual students that go there. Not orientation leaders, not staff members, but real students that will give you the complete truth. As far as making the most out of the college experience, just get involved in stuff on campus. These are the best years of our lives and school should always come first, but if the social life is completely void then there is no fulfillment in that. Join an organization, go greek, you can even start your own organization if you can not find a group for you. All it takes are four people and there you go. The college experience can be a blast, you just have to get involved with the community and make your mark on the university.

Find a college that fits the best qualities about you and your field of study should match (the best things you interested in doing). My theory is that if you love something enough, your work at it your hardest. Sucess wil come....

Open your mind. A vast misconception about college is that it is a transitional period between adolesence and the proverbial "real world". In reality, this four-year period is a time wherein young adults discover just who they are and what they are capable of. Open your mind. Those instructions do hold different connotations for parents as they do students, so having experienced the freshman year, allow me to tell you what I've learned. Parents, its very crucial that you maintain an active, yet distant role in your childs life. It all begins with finding the college that will be most nurturing to the growth of their personality. The more comfortable they are, the more motivated they will be to excel. Upon the initiation of their journey, they will be thirsy for your support but will also crave life out from under your wing. Let them go. See if they pass lifes tests, odds are, you have nothing to worry about. Students, get involved. The more stimulated your brain is by your daily activities, the more likely you are to succeed. Keep an open mind in all situations and be certain that your grades always come first. Good luck.

ask actual students, peek in on actual classes, fuck the tour

The best thing to do when looking for the right college is to visit it on campus, go through tthe normal preview but also go to the local hang outs and speak to students walking around campus. Get their point of view because there are experinceing it now. Parents be openminded with your students, dont try to force them somewhere jsut show them the pros and cons and more the likely your student will realize what is best for them. When you have chosen a college go to the orientation and any freshman camps and use that oppertunity to meet new people and get more acquainted with your college. When school starts the number one thing to do is find soemthing to get involved in. It doesnt have to take up a lot of your time but you need soemthing outside of school that connects you to your college. You need a reason to want to stay on campus instead of go home and see your high school friends. Second get educated with the resources that are on your campus, they are there to help your every need and you already pay for them so you should use them.

I would look for a school that fits the student's personality. If they are a studious person, the a party school would not be a good fit. Also, look at how big a college is. Sometimes a bigger school is better, because they have more prestige. However, some small schools have it also. It depends if you like knowing everyone that you go to school with or if you like meeting new and different people with almost every class you take. Also look at the clubs and activities that are available such as intramural sports, Greek life, interest clubs, etc. If you make a list of all the things you want in a school and find one that fits your personality and then actually follow through on all your wants, it should be an enriching time if life. Never be afraid to take risks, and never feel like you want to stay in your comfort zone. Some of the best times you'll have is when you venture outside your "safety zones."

I think that going to a community college for the first two years is the way to go, and then try to get into the best university that you can. I wished I would have gone to a community college first, just to save money and have a better chance at getting into a better university.

I would tell them to do a lot of research and visit as many colleges as you need to and choose a college that you like and do everything ahead of time

My advice to students who are interested in attending college is to make absolutely sure that the university has all the tools needed to help the student in their career choice. I chose the University of North Texas because the psychology program is amazing and it will definitely help me on my path to be a child psychologist. The faculty is always here to help in any way they can. I would also advise to pick a college where alcohol isn't the main thing the students do. Although there are bars around the campus, Denton is a dry county so the crime rate isn't as high as it would be in a city that has alcohol accessible to students. I would also say to stay focused and don't give up no matter how stressful it becomes. Be prepared, work hard and you will go far!

Actually go the campus. Get a feel for the community and its surroundings. Make sure that its a fit before you choose to be affiliated with a school. Plan early and visit as many places as possible.

First, research throughly any college or university you plan on attending. Second, be outgoing and willing to meet new people. Check out the greek organizations or any other type of club on campus. These will help you to relate to people like you and make new life long friends.

Just make sure you enjoy the experience

I believe it is unfortunate that in this country, the desire to receive the best education and become all that you can be is for many, hindered due to financial unability. It is a tragedy to see students accepted into the best universities, yet unable to attend because there is not enough financial aid available and families cannot support the remaining tuition and living costs. Until we see change I encourage students to place the greatest importance on their performance in high school in order to gain as much scholarship availability as possible. Sometimes through this process students have received a completely covered college tuition. From the minute they start their first jobs students should open a savings account dedicated specifically for college tuition and living expenses. It cannot be stressed enough that parents should begin a college fund for their children. High schools and communities need to more fully educate students and parents about the admission process, financial aid process, scholarship process, aid in finding scholarship opportunities, college expectations, college life, college problems and issues, etc. Maybe even begin a class. We need to better prepare students and parents to make informed decisions and take advantage of opportunities.

For student, I urge them to take their education into their own hands. They will definitely appreciate the value much more, especially if they are paying for the bulk of it themselves by finding scholarships and grants themselves. That takes a huge burden off of parents as well and gives the student a sense of responsibility and, more importantly, dignity. Now they've something for which to fight and it makes that degree much sweeter!

Understand what type of student you are in high school greatly determines your success in your freshman year at college. If you are a student that needs structure to remain focused, staying near home is an option that should not be ruled out. Most students want to do the "cool" thing, but if you don't forsee challenges, you could be setting yourself up for a rocky freshman year. Don't take too many classes your freshman year, because your still feeling things out and getting more settled into study habits. Keep in mind your general personality when choosing a school. If you never went to high school games or are not that social, it might be more beneficial to go to a school with less emphasis on sports. My best advice for incoming students is really play to your interests and environment. Get involved in something, anything, your freshman year and you will find people who will remain with you for your entire college experience.