University of Oregon Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of Oregon know before they start?

Clyde

My advise to incoming freshman students at any particular college is to think about the reasons why you want to go there, and do this choosing a variety of colleges. Then begin to search from those Universities that you've chosen of what kind of degree you are looking for? Look for financial aid so they can help you in your studies so that you would not let money stop you from reaching your dream of getting a degree in any field becoming whatever you wanted to be. So always look for other alternative ways to help you through your years in college ; as well there are people in all the Universities who are train to help you in any circumstance that comes your way while you're in college.

Kim

During high school, I made a big deal out of searching for that "perfect college." My mom was kind enough of to take me around the country, visiting the schools that were on the top of my list. I looked at colleges from Humboldt State in California to Barnard College in NYC. I knew one thing, and that was that I wanted college to be an adventure--I didn't want to go to an in-state school. As deadlines quickly approached, however, I became more aware of daunting private school tuitions. I was an above average student, but I just didn't think my credentials would be enough to come up with any substantial merit money. Discouraged by this, I decided on an in state school. While my first-year college experience wasn't bad, deep down I knew I had let myself down. Because of this, I didn't approach college life with the enthusiasm and passion that would have made all the difference. Four years of in-state college costs roughly $80,000. Don't take that lightly. Create the college experience you've dreamed of and don't ever settle for anything less.

Kelsey

A lot of students make the huge mistake of chosing a college based on pretigious reputations, partially because of pressure from parents, and partially because of pressure from society. While we are young, many students are forced to believe that the only way to be successful is to make a lot of money by getting a good job, which is attained by a degree from a "brand-name" college. Many students do not realize that college is more than just 4 years towards a piece of paper boasting a degree. It is about the entire experience. College is the place where students go to learn academically AND socially. To make the most of the college experience, one must find a place in which he or she truly thrives in. It is not always about strictly academics, but also the impact one makes on the world through personal development and life-long friendships and memories.

Brian

What is the student interested in, instate tuition is much more affordable, come to the Univerity of Oregon.

Zach

My advice is very simple: go with your gut. The only factor that you should really follow is that instint that you have that tells you whether or not a place is right for you. If you feel like being in a certain city, and that's the place you really want to be regardless of whether or not the school has the programs you want etc., than you should be there. FOllow your heart and everything else will follow.

Tyra

Don't just think about what you want to be after college, think about who you are and how you would feel in a certain campus. I am very academic, but turned down an offer from a prestigious East Coast school because I did not feel I would do well in a cut-throat academic situation, such as the ones presented by those schools. I chose instead a smaller university with a more communal approach to education, where everyone contributes to the learning process and tries to share and help everyone out, and I think it did me more good than the pressure of competition from classmates. Sit around a coffee shop on campus and look at and listen to the type of people who come in and out and see if you can see yourself with or as one of those people. Even if you're not excited about living in the dorms, live in them and figure out how you can live with other people from different backgrounds, and embrace the possibilities the dorms offer, such as the opportunity to meet people and make some of the best friends you'll have in college.

Cameo

Chicken Pot Pie: A Recipe for College Success Ingredients: For Crust: An Important Surrounding and Decision 3 cups of starting the process early, examine options and don?t get overwhelmed ? cup of figuring out whether the environment cultivates extracurricular activities 3 teaspoons of finding out what the average class size and student to teacher ratio 4 tablespoons of checking out financial options, many opportunities exist 2 cups of encouraging campus visits, the best way to fully explore any college ? cup of examining crime rates, safety is key, know what resources are available 1 cup of seeing how learning is presented, interdisciplinary course work allows for a variety of ways to learn For Filling: Making the Most of the Experience 4 cups of getting involved, college is what one makes it 2 teaspoons of including extracurricular activities and nonacademic pursuits ? cup of creating study groups, maintain contacts for research projects 2 ? cups realizing that self-motivation is essential to succeed ? tablespoon of taking courses that link academic with personal enjoyment 1 cup of realizing that deciding one?s major isn?t essential the very first day Directions: Preheat oven to 425 Mix all ingredients together. Enjoy the flavor of success!

Kelly

Be willing to get uncomfortable for a while, make new friends, be open and willing to experience new things, but sure make you are fully aware of your own values and morals so that you do not find yourself in compromise situations. GIve your school at least two years before you decide to change, unless it is absolutely, terribly unbearable. However, most of the time, you can find that you will like your school after two years.

Cassandra

Finding the right college is really based on what your looking for in an education and also other activities that you wish to be a part of. I believe that it's very important to visit the college you want to attend and stop and visit with some of the students there, it makes the experience very really and they are able to answer pretty much any question that you have about the school. If you already know what your planning on majoring in then finding a school with a great background or program with that degree would be helpful, i do not recommend a trade school because if you change your mind its harder to transfer somewhere else, that's why universtities are so nice they have many options and most of them have excellent degrees in all areas.

Nana

I would suggest visiting the campus and talking to current students. Often you can get a good idea of what to expect when you have been surrounded in the environment. And to make the most of your experience I would say GET INVOLVED! There are many student organizations that provide you a social network and positive ways to impact your society.

Caitlin

Visit the college before you decide!

Shane

Choose based on cost, reputation, and quallity of faculty. It is best to have a general idea of what you want to study before you apply.

Nelson

Choosing a college is always a difficult experience. But for the parents, encourage yourself to understand that sometimes the "statistics" describing a school may not always be the best way to choose a school for your son or daughter. Be sure to do as many campus visits as possible. Let them go far from home, but not TOO far. I promise, they will be homesick within the first month and a half, so there is no need to pressure them to come home. To the students, college is NOT about partying. It is about self discovery, and obtaining a purpose for your being here on this planet. Some never learn this, and some learn all to quickly. But either way, enter this experience with an open mind, because you may come out a completely different person. Hopefully, it is for the better. =]

Alyssa

To find the right college you need to visit the campuses when there are people around. See the environment that fits you best. By looking around and asking questions about the school you can feel if it is right for you. Of course you need to take into account if the school has your desired major and best program for you.

Patrick

Very simply put, college is an experience that must be enjoyed through a balance of academic focus, social activities, and community support. Without this balance, one will find that any college, regardless of its prowess, will bring forth a disheartening experience which lacks in preparation for the outside world.

Ainsley

I believe that both parents and students should keep in mind that no matter what college they attend, it is up to the student to make the best of it. Sometimes you get into the college of your dreams and it turns out not being exactly as you imagened. Sometimes, you get into the college that was your second choice and it becomes one of the best things to ever happen to you. Remember that the best part of being of a college is having the chance to make your dreams come true no matter what college you attended. Make lots of friends and memories. College is very important and you can't afford to waste it on parties and constant outside activities, but you are also allowed to enjoy yourself and not stress over every little thing. It's important to find a balance. If you can get balance in college, you're sure to be able to have balance in life. Work hard but don't let that ruin your life. Have fun but remember that you cannot mess up your acedemics. They are both equally important to the health of your life both in college and out.

Travis

College is the experience of a lifetime. Not only does it play an important role in shaping your future as the building blocks of your career, it will bring friends and relationships that may last the rest of your life. So take your time when deciding which college to attend, it is a big choice that requires a lot of thought. Many schools specialize in specific fields you may be interested in, this in one key way to help determine which school may be best for you. Visit the campus of the favorite choices and get a feel for the atmosphere of the school, the people, and the community around you. Keep in mind the need to balance work and play never forgetting academics should be first but do make time for some fun or relaxation. Look for the school which not only interests you the most, but gives you the greatest oppurtunity for success. Your college years may very well be the most enriching and fullfilling years of your life, it is what you make of it. It doesnt matter who or what your are when you start, its what you have become when you have finished.

Chris

Visit the campus and go to orientation/information tours.

Lindsay

First off, start early! Do not wait until your senior year to begin thinking about college. Compare all of your prospective colleges' pros and cons. Go out there and visit all of your possible choices! A college might look perfect on paper, but could feel completely wrong in person. It is all about how you feel when you go and visit the colleges. Go with your gut instinct with how you feel at each one. Try and see if you can actually picture yourself at each college. If a certain college does not seem just right, don't settle for it. Once you enroll in a college and start school, do not be afraid to meet people! This is a fresh start. Be outgoing. Be friendly. Join clubs. Make new friends and keep in touch with your friends from back home. Also, really stay on top of your schoolwork in your first term. It is sometimes difficult to stay focused in the excitement of a new setting and a new life, but the schoolwork is so much more difficult than highschool work and it is much too easy to fall behind.

Lauren

Talk to a current student whose interests run along the same lines as yours and see how happy they are with the academics, social life and other aspects of the school that are important. Don't just talk to other applicants or admissions counselors. Getting real and relevant information is very, very important.