Edward
Be ready to work hard from the get go. Don't go for a degree that makes the most money. Study what you enjoy. If you work for happiness, money will follow.
Nicole
College is a hugely important step in a person's life. A potential college student should
Justin
Visit the campuses you are interested, and when you find one that feels right, go with it.
Naria
Do your research, visit the campus, and talk to current strudents. Parents should visit the surrounding areas to see the make up of the life surrounding the campus. (i.e clubs, popular hang outs, restaurants, accessibility of liquir stores, etc)
Travis
Be well infomed as to what college you may want to attend. It is going to be the place that you call both school and for some, home, for the next 4 years. Make sure you are comfortable, acquainted with the school, know what you are going to want to do in the future. Have a plan. This is one of the biggest decisions of your life, it is the beginning of your life, the transformation of a high school student into an individual ready to take on the working world in a shorter amount of time than you realize. Take the steps necessary in order to assure success for yourself academically, and God willing, for the path that you choose in life once formal education is over.
Sharon
I would advise parents to encourage their children to be proactive in their search and in selling themselves to the prospective colleges, it's very competitive now; more so than when I first applied. I would advise students to make the most of their time by volunteering and being a part of their school life, but also to gain as much real life experience and not to push going to college if they are not sure a 4 year course of study is truly for them. If there were these new schools of specific study like forensics, criminology and non-professional health care jobs, I probably wouldn't have felt the pressure to go to a four year college, I would have finished long ago and have a career. Don't jump into it if you're not entirely sure what your path is. Take some time to truly figure out what it is you want to do and then plan accordingly. And parents, don't be so quick to enlist your child in a college setting before they know it's what they want. It's important, especially now with the economy being in such a poor state.
Chasity
If I had to give my opinion about finding a college I would definitely tell the student to go out of state no matter how much your parents tell you that you are not ready. Staying close to home will only delay the process of you actually growing up. I would also say find a school where you don't know as many people this way you can meet more people and find yourself and experience different things. Finding a school that has the program that you want is also a must. Going to a school that doesn't offer the degree you want is just a waist of time. I would definitely recomend a school that is completely organized. A school that never answers the phone or takes 6 months to give you an acceptance letter is probably not to organized.
Megan
Look into your intended major, if you know what it will be. Also, take a plethura of courses your first semester there, to see what you are interested in.
Garrett
I would visit the college as soon as you start your junior year to determain if the school has what you are looking for. One important fact is that they should apply for on campus housing as soon as possible if it is limited. Also apply for as many scholorships as you can. As parents, make this a stipulation of any financial support you will provided for your child.
Katie
Look for a school that is the right size for you; the best thing about my school was that it was big enough to offer very specialized classes but small enough that all my teachers knew me by name. Make sure that you have someone, whether it's a favorite professor or your assigned advisor, that can walk you through any situation as it approaches. Work hard, play hard, and have fun!