University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

The college I attend is perfect for my goal of becoming a special education teacher, even though it was not my first pick. I was bummed when I did not get into my first choice, but after doing more research on my "fallback school," I quickly realized it was definitely the right school for me. It is important for people trying to figure out which school they're going to attend to do some research on the school. The school may be number one or two in the country for Nursing, but that may not be the career you want to go into. Once a person gets into a college, it might be a difficult transition to make. It's hard to adjust to such a new experience. Meeting as many people as possible is helpful in the transition from high school to college. Even though a person looks a certain way, they could be someone with whom you will have a good relationship with, whether it be friendship or more. Getting involved in school activities will definitely help with making long term friends.

Every useful bit of knowledge a student learnes, be it acedemic or life-related, is made through experience. The student needs to motivate themselves and go out there and find a college that is right for them. Unmotivated? you need make mistakes and learn what it's like to lose. I did, and i've never been so satisfied and goal oriented.

Look for a school that matches your personally and your ambitions..

It is important to go to college when you are ready to focus on your eduction. Sometimes, that means waiting a year, sometimes that means diving in before life can get in the way. Pick a college environment that will help you stay focused. If you know that you are easily tempted by parties and social events, you may want to pick a smaller college and/or live off campus so that you can be disciplined. It is so much easier to go through college once than to start, stop, and go back.

Let your child pick where they want to go, this is a decision they will think about for the rest of their life. Do your research and write down your academic priorities. The school you choose needs to be known for the degree you are seeking. You don't want to go to a school because of the beach, but because of the opportunities you will get from going to school there. Enjoy it to the fullest, college is a passing experience that goes by quickly. Soak all of it in and learn as much you can. Make as many connections with professors as you can, you will need them later. Remember to always smile and be polite, you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.

More than anything, go into your college experience with a good attitude. It truly is whatever you want to make of it. If you expect there to be nothing interesting to do, there won't be. If you have a positive attitue and know that you will make new friends and have fun no matter what, guess what? You will. I went to a communtiy college for my AA soley because I was offered a full scholarship. I moped around at first, feeling like I lost out. It got worse when I started on my Bachelors through a distance campus. I never lived off site, didn't have a meal plan, I felt like I cheated. I wasn't even proud of my degree. My attitude was horrible and it effected my experience. My attitude now is much improved for my masters program. I just wish I'd fixed that sooner.

My advice to parents and students would be to visit as many campuses as you are able to because this will allow you to compare them and make your best decision. Don't just make a decision based on money, yes it is a key factor, but the results may not show to brightly within your childs life. They may dislike the school or the area that it is located in, and they will not excede in the classroom. Students, as much as you may love your parents and hometown, try not to go home every weekend. Hanging around and getting to know your colleages will create many more opportunities to broaden and enjoy your our college experience. Majority of the people I have known who go home frequently eventually transfer before they graduate. When you get older, you want to be able to look back on your college years and recall your good and bad experiences that made you into a better person. Not the how many miles you put on your car or gas wasted to go home every weekend.

Finding the right college involves numerous factors, the most important being education and location. You must find a school that will challenge you to learn, as well as give you help along the way. In my experience location was key, as I was far enough from home to have to move out, yet close enough that I could visit more often than just Christmas, Spring, and Summer breaks.

FInd somewhere that you are comfortable. Consider living at home if it is an option to save money. Also, visit the campus while classes are in session and during the sports season that is biggest at the school. Then visit the campus during the slowest time and get an idea if you think you would be okay with both ways.

Visit the campus before making a decision. Its important that you enjoy the campus in general because you spend alot of time on there. Review the department or college program you are interested in. Make sure it has something to offer, reputation wise. And talk to students at the college to get a better idea of what the college attitude is and what kind of people go there.