University of South Dakota Top Questions

Dear me as a high school senior, Keep your excitement and wonder about all there is to learn. You are right, the college experience only happens once. All those buildings, all those books, all those professors...they all exist so that you can learn. You will never have this much time, these few obligations, this much access to words and ideas again. Take advantage of every moment. Soak it all in. Stop into your professors' offices and pick their brains. Get to know them as humans. Tell them how much you appreciate what they are giving to you. Spend oodles of time in the library...what a sanctuary. ..just to stroll through the aisles and read the titles is a heady experience. But you know all this. For this is how you explored your four years of college. You decided to be a scholar for this period of time even though your high school peers laughed and could only imagine you as the class clown. You ignored their teasing, and plunged into the world of ideas and it served you well. My advice for you? Make the exact same choices: pick the professors you love; bend the rules. It worked.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to take more ap classes. Also I would advise myself to make more friends and be more outgoing during high school.

I think the most important thing about finding a college is that the parents need to let the kids pick what they want to do and where they want to go. I was somewhat pressured into going to a certain school and being in a particular major because it was the smart thing to do, but in the end I hated the school I went to and I am not staying in the same major. Parents, you need to be more focused on what will make your kid happy rather than how much money they will make in the future. And for the kids, when picking a school, make sure you like almost everything about the school. If you're not sure you want to go to a school don't go. You should either love the campus and atmosphere and attend that college/university or not. The fact that you are excited will help you to have a good experience. These are the things I believe will help parents and students find the right college and make the most of the college experience.

Even if you find a college you like immediatly keep looking. You may find one that you like more and apply to multiple places- don't just base it on how much a school costs. Many private schools may be more expensive but they also give larger financial aid packages. Find the one that you enjoy the most and visit it again on a private tour. I found the university i am attending to have older buildings and not as visually appealing at first sight but the quality of education and the teachers willingness to help are above and beyond, so make sure you look beyond first impressions. Many schools will offer help for freshman to meet people, an example being where i am attending they have a "first year experience" program where you meet people and they place you in the same classes and similar housing. Programs such as this make it much easier and less stressful to make friends and are a good thing to join if possible. Finally, enjoy your college experience and make it memorable. Find a healthy balance of study/friend time because both are equally important parts of a great college experience.

I would say look for a program that when you walk into the department, you feel comfortable. Also, be friendly with people, even if you share completely different views, they could always turn out to be a great friend.

Some people feel comfortable in large universities with vast student populations. Others, are at home among a small school where they can feel at home with a smaller community of students. To make this decision is entirely personal, both are great choices. If a student is involved in activities in the larger school it is easier for him or her to meet people than if not involved in anything. Smaller schools allow people to become acquainted more easily outside the classroom or activities office. In both situations it is still a great idea to be involved somehow. Whatever a persons interests are it is almost guarenteed that there is something that will fit naturally. Honestly, to be successful, I recommend actually studying. It may be a new concept but if any idea of success is being fostered, it may help. Also, to parents, while your child is in college is when they are growing up. It will be easiest on the relationship to keep this in mind and try your hardest not to treat them the same way you did in middle school. :D

Finding the right college helps you a lot to adjusting to your future. You want a college where you feel completely comfortable and yourself. Somewhere that will fulfill your own desires and needs. You want somewhere that offers your interests and your major. You also want a college that is within budget. Getting an education is very important but cheaper schools are just as good as private ones. One that you know will get you through with your desired degree without killing your wallet too much. You also want a school that fits you. The people, the town and the surroundings are you. A location you like and maybe somewhere that is close to home but far enough away to feel on your own now. Making the most out of your college experience would be to get involved. Get out and meet new people. Don't be shy. Go to your classes! You are paying for them! Pay attention and take good notes and study hard. Don't slack but still know how to have a good time. Enjoy it while you can!!

I would say that you need to go to the college that will best fit both your personality and your dream job. You have to be able to persure your passion and be comfertable in your surroundings. But most of all, go to a certain school because that is where you want to go, not where your parents want you to go, or your best friend is going there and you want to room with them because that has been your dream since you were little kids. You need to go to a certain school because that is where your life will start its new beggining, and it is now all in your hands for the first time. This is yuour chance to take control of your own life.

I honestly chose to attend the University of South Dakota because it was close to home and affordable. It is 30 miles from my hometown, and I of course get in state tuition. What I learned when I started attending classes and living there, however, is that the experience you have in college can make or break your outlook on the future. Luckily I love my choice of school, but I recommend that students actively research not just the academic side of prospective schools, but the actual "real life" side of them also. Too many students choose to attend a school for the same reasons I did, but unfortunately end up not liking the experience. Students should find a school that truly fits them, and then try to meet as many new people as possible. That is what I did right away, and I'm still thankful for it. I still talk to people that I met freshman year today in classes and on campus, and I can honestly say I love my school and my college experience.

Make sure you visit the school. I have heard so many stories from my friends like " I should have picked another school". Picking a school is probbaly one of the biggest decsions of your life. However, you make the school. South Dakota sounds so random but I'm the type of person that can be successfull in any situation. I never visted my school just jump on a plane and went...not gonna lie tho that first week I was like what have I done but now I'm gonna be a junior, im activly involved currently in Sigma Nu, I'm a Student Government Senator and I love it simply love it.