University of Portland Top Questions

By reflecting on my college experience thus far, there are several pieces of advice that I would give students. First, it is important to visit the school. A great deal can be understood about a school by taking a simple trip down to the campus and interacting with current students. This allows for students to see if they truly enjoy being there and are getting the type of education that they want. In finding the right college, it is also important to see if they offer classes that will be of interest to you. As a biology major, there are several classes that I could take such as anatomy, however, the offering of courses such as Cancer Biology and Hormones and Behavior have greatly enhanced my education. In making the most of the college experience, get involved with anything and everything that you are interested in. So many great experiences and friendships are made as a result of being involved in different activities that you have an interest in. However, be within reason, as to how many activities you can handle along with school work. You want to be able to have fun, but still be responsible.

You definately need to look into your own likes and dislikes about the environment you want to be in because different students prefer different things, consider what kind of area you want to live in, the weather that is there, and availability to access things that you like to do. It is important to consider if you want to go to a big school or a small school and to consider your religion and how active you want to be a part of it. What I listed I think are the most important things to look into when finding the right college that will make your overall experience the best.

Mahatma Ghandi once said, "There is more to life than increasing its speed." this quote is very important in the way parents/students should approach their college experience. Too often people are concerned with getting things done just to get them done, this however is not the right way to go about living your life. College is far more than lectures in the classroom and hours and hours of homework. People should make their college decisions not just on the academic aspect of it (while that is probably the most important part) you also have to take into account the type of people that attend the school and the demographic that the school is in. If you love to be outdoors and hiking mountains in your freetime, a city school may not be for you. my biggest point of advice I can give, is that you just have to be ready to adapt, no school is going to be perfect. You have to take the highs and the lows as they fall and deal with it accordingly, that really is what the college experience is all about.

When it comes to selecting a college, a student should have an idea of the field of study they plan to enter or even one they are interested in. They should then, along with their parents or spouse, spend time researching colleges that offer these services along with other amenities that interest them. They should also consider the area and lifestyle students live on and off campus. To make the most out of your college experience I would tell anyone, to relax. College is an amazing time, where you get a wonderful education and meet amazing people. They should really focus on how to manage their time. By doing this, students will be able to spend an adequate amount of time for their studies as well as maintain their social life. They should join a school group (EX. Student association), where they can meet new people who are focused in their studies but also spend time devoted to the community and our environment. This creates a great balance for stress because you are getting your school work done with good grades as well as keeping time for you and your social life.

I would take a tour of the college to see if it is what I want. I would ask the advisors and instructors plenty of questions. If they did not have the major I am interested in I would not choose the school. For example, one school had Human resources Bachelor degree but I wanted Social Work so I did not choose that school.

Before applying, parents and students should visit a variety of colleges to get a feel for what the campuses are like. They should talk to current students and faculty to determine whether or not they like the school?s philosophy and environment. Then they should apply to the colleges they like the best, but not only pick one school. The school that the student liked most may not accept them, so it is good to have some backup schools. I would encourage living on campus, if they can afford it, because it allows for the student to integrate more fully into the campus community. There are a lot of events and pieces of campus life that are more easily experienced if a student lives on campus. Living on campus also allows them easier access to campus resources, like faculty office hours, tutoring help, and study groups. You get out of it what you put in. If students take responsibility for their education, put in the work and effort it takes to do well, they will get a lot out of the classes and homework to help prepare them for future careers. A social life is possible, it just takes prioritizing.

Know which activities you like to do. See if the school offers them. Each student is paying for school not only with their money, but with their time. Even if you have a full ride to a school, if they don't have a program or clubs that you might want to participate in, you might not be wasting your money, but you are definately wasting your time. College is the time to define yourself and have fun in the pursuit. That could mean moving to another state or a new city, trying new activities, or learning about other people and their view points. No great discovery was ever found without curiosity and the nerve to break free from the comfortable. Your potential is no different. You are already curious about your future. Now go, take the steps toward it and find it.