University of Portland Top Questions

Visit the schools that you are thinking about attending. Universities pay people to advertise for them so of course all of the pamphlets are going to make every school sound like a dream come true. I feel like I knew exactly where I wanted to be when I went to all of them. If it is something that you feel strongly about then the right school will pick you. Students-- just do the honest to God best job that you can do. College is tough, but as long as you keep your future in mind you will succeed academically and socially as well. Hve a great time because it goes by quickly. Always remember to take a little time to yourself occassionally because that will do wonders for your stress levels. Enjoy and good luck! (PS- 3am study sessions DON'T have to happen! I promise! Just get things done)

College is a time of change and learning. Finding the right college is never easy. Figuring out what type of environment you want is a good place to start, in a city, suburb, or rural area; the number of students; is there a focus on college sports or no; is the campus lush or mostly buildings, where it 's located in the country, ect. If you know what you want to study, that helps narrow down choices. If you don't know what you want to study, then finding a good liberal arts school would be your best bet so that you can get a well rounded education to better focus your studies. It's also important to visit the school to make sure that it feels right and to make sure everything is perfect. After taking all of that time, effort, and money to find the right school and to enroll, taking the education seriously is also very important. Not everyone gets to go to college, so don't take it for granted. Make sure that if you want to play hard, work hard, too. These days are the best days of your life so live it up!

Picking a college is stressful and can often seem daunting, but if you keep a positive attitude and get involved in activites you are interested in you will be happier and more successful. Keep an open mind and do not be afraid to try new things. Learn through new experiences. Find a college that fits your values and promotes your style of learning. The best way to do this is by visiting the campus and staying with a student. Students should have time to experience the campus without their parents because it gives a more realisitic taste of college life. Keep in mind that you will change drastically over four years. Regardless of where you end up, have fun.

Sometimes money does not buy the best education. Your education is what you make of it. You could pay for Harvard, but if you don't want to learn, Harvard may be no better than a state school.

I would tell parents/and or students that they when it comes to finding the right college, they should choose what feels right. I knew from the beginning, before I even visited, that the University of Portland was for me; I just had a good feeling about it. My visit to the university only confirmed my belief that it was the perfect college for me; it matched everything that I wanted in a school and it made me feel at home. If you get that feeling and it fits everything you want financially, socially, visually, academically, then it's the right choice for you. Upon making the right choice, your college experience should go smoothly. In order to make the most of your time at college, I would advise meeting as many people as possible, learning as much as you can from others around you and from your academics, studying hard but also having as much fun as possible. Most importantly, I would say that while at college, you should grow as much as you can. I can honestly say that I have grown so much from my experiences. College is a time of learning, so grow from it!

It seems as though so many young adults believe college is what they see portraited on television and movies. It is full of large parties, sporting events, and the greek system. What future students need to think about instead is what type of school (size, atmosphere, location) is best for them. Also, consider the values you hold strong. Choose a college that best fits both who you are now, and who you want to become. Hold your expectations high so you can hold your head higher and walk proudly both on graduation day and throughout the rest of your life! Choose a college that when you leave, you leave a better person, well balanced, leave with great memories and most of all, life long friends to create memories for years to come.

Money is not everything. Find a place that feels right to you and that you feel comfortable at. Go with your gut. You'll never get those 4 years back so make sure you have no regrets about the school you are at.

Know what you're looking for, and what you want to avoid. Do you want a school where 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of your time will be devoted to schoolwork? A party school? A school in between? Do you want a small school, where you can meet the entire student body in two days? A large school where you can meet 100 new people every day? Something in between? A school where the teacher will ask you why you missed class, or a school where the teacher you've taken three classes from doesn't remember you? Do you want a school where there is a big athletic program? One with an active intramural program? Or a school that doesn't have a sports program? Do you want a school with a religious affiliation, or one without? It's okay to not be sure, keep the questions in mind. Then, the most critical thing. Visit!!! Talk to students, professors, everyone you can. Filter out the marketing speak, and then decide how well that school fits with what you want. Remember, you will likely spend several years here. And then decide. And remember, if it's that bad, you can always choose another school.

When applying for colleges, and trying to find the perfect fit, stretch from your normal boundaries and go outside where you think you may want to attend college. If you asked me four years ago, if I would become a nurse and go to school 1,000 miles away from home, I would have laughed. It turns out it has been the best decision I have ever made. It is important to go to a school that has your desired major, and also look if you have to re-apply after two years to get into the actual program (ex: nursing, engineering). The size of the school is a critical aspect as well as if the professors are approachable and willing to help you succeed. More than anything, look for a college that is responsive and quick to answer your questions!! Live everyday to the fullest and try your hardest in college. It is a great opportunity to learn a lot about yourself and from your studies. With these hard financial times, it is extremely important to look at the financial aid that a particular school will give you-- may make the world of a difference.

I would suggest that they visit the colleges they're interested in to get a feel for the campus. Just because a school has the best academics or the best reputation does not mean that it is the right fit. I would not have had such a great experience at college if not for my friends and the amazing environment I have at my school. Ask students who are already going there what they think about the school. My advice for making the best of your experience is to play just as hard as you work. Don't be nervous about making friends, just put yourself out there and be friendly. Most people will respond well to that. Join a few clubs in the beginning to meet new people. Having good friends who will support you will make college a lot easier and a lot more fun. I don't know what I would have done without my friends. Remember, college isn't just about getting a degree, it's about having an experience that you will remember fondly for the rest of your life.