University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

I would say make sure you do all your research when it comes to what college you want to attend. Always make sure that the school has the degree that you want to major in and has a great program. Also that they have good financial packages and have many organizations that you think you are interested in and or would like to join.

Plan the money situation way ahead.

The advice I would give to students is to really look at the whole picture. Students tend to look at just a school, a major, a city, or a program, make sure you look at the whole lifestyle you would have at a specific school. Find somewhere you will be happy, want to learn, and be sucessful. Make sure you check out both on campus and off campus housing, different programs because you might end up changing your major ( I did, twice! ), and the people. Pick a school you will be proud to attend and will enjoy your four plus years at! Get involved on campus you will enjoy it! Follow your heart and your head, you will know when you found the right place. Be kind to your parents, you might miss them more than you will ever imagine. The advice I would give to parents is to support their child and understand that they might make mistakes but being there to pick them up is what parents are for. Don't force them to do something to fufill a dream you once had. Stay connected because as much as you miss them they miss you too!

Choosing a college is a great time of growth during your last year of high school, so be sure that you visit all of your options. Talk to some people on campus that you feel are similar to you, and find out what there impressions of the school are, and how they have changed over their time at that school. Find a couple of classes in which you are interested, whether it be art, business, science, math, film or history. Sit in for a lecture, and at the end feel free to ask the professor some questions. Find out what the perks of attending that school are, whether they have the greatest gym or the largest library. If it's a big school you probably know someone who lives on campus; see if they let you shadow them for a day. Most of all don't be afraid of the time and monetary expenditures that will soon be drastically changing; if all those people that you saw on campus can handle it, so can you. The college experience is an amazing ride and it can shake you up more often than your comfortable with, but it's so worth it.

Being genuinely interested or curious about one's own field of study will make the whole college experience much more valuable and enjoyable as you dig deeper into something that you actually find interesting. If you are actually interested in the material, you will bring to class discussions and assignments great thoughts and contributions that you and others will be able to draw back on perhaps throughout the rest of your entire professional and personal lives.

In order to choose the right college, you must actually visit the campus. When you find the right campus, you will feel comfortable. The best way to make the most out of your college experience is to get out there and meet new people. You need to have a social life as well as an academic life. There are so many different types of people at a college who are willing to meet new people as well. The friends you make during your college years will be your friends for life!

Visit the campus and talk to actual students!

In finding the right college, parents and students must first take the time out to identify what their desired schools are. Once that decision is made, they should consider what kind of atmosphere (mainly the weather and people) surrounds the college or university, and then take a tour and see how the current students interact with each other and you, the "tourist". From there, filter out the schools that didn't meet your expectations of a school community that you want to be a part of. To make the most out of your college experience, get involved! It's been said time and time again, but truthfully, it's the best way to remain in the know. Being involved also allows you to make new friends that you'll keep forever. Attend study groups, and get to know your teachers as well. This may seem hard if you're shy, but you'll find that the BEST school has the warmest people that help you break your bashful tendencies.

The best thing to do when deciding which college to attend is to visit the campus. The feel of the campus will tell a student if they can see themselves there for the next four years. Also, after deciding where to go, get all of the necessary paperwork in as soon as possible and pick the first available orientation date. This will allow you to get better classes and meet new people. Don't be afraid to try new things, even if you're by yourself. Don't be afraid to branch out from your usual friends.

Through experience I have learned a lot about finding a college that is right for a student. It is imperative that a student visit the school before deciding upon a college. The pictures might show a little about how the campus looks, but only visiting and being on-campus can give someone the true feel of a college. It's also very important that a student looks at the schools academic achievements that are in line with their intended major. Some schools are good in some areas, but not others and it's extremely important that a student make sure they pick a school that will give them ample future career opportunities and provide a good educational background. Campus life and extracuriculars also have an impact on a student's college experience. If a student wants to play sports or join a special club, he/she should research to make sure they will able to participate in it. Lastly, the location of the school is essential. Whether a student wants to be close to family, near the water, away from the cold, or whatever the case may be, be sure to choose a school a school in a desirable location.