Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

Even though college sounds like a carefree and fun environment away from your parents, it's easy to slack off and do poorly in college. Study hard and make sure you go prepared before class starts; read the materials so you will know what the professor is talking about and you will be able to follow easily. Having a social life is good too, but don't fall back on your studies. Remember that you are in college for one purpose and that is to find a great career in your future. Work hard and you'll be rewarded well.

Make sure you just enjoy the experience as much as possible and don't sweat the small stuff.

Stay focused. It is very easy to get distracted especially since you're moving to a big city, something you're not used to. Try to study a little bit from each class everyday, that way everything will stay fresh in your mind. There is a lot going on on campus and in the city itself so again, STAY FOCUSED! You're gonna learn real quick that VCU has a lot to offer, but get familiar with the environment and your classwork first. You want to make sure your priorities are in order before you join any groups, organizations, or possibly get caught up in the party life. I don't think you will, but it's just a work of advice. Also, be safe and aware of your surroundings. Don't go walking anywhere at night and if for some reason you have to, don't do it alone. If you're gonna walk the city at any time (especially at night), do so with at least 2 other people. It can get pretty dangerous in the city but don't be afraid, just be alert. Remember your family and to keep God first. You'll do fine.

If I could return to myself, and give myself advise, I would probably tell myself to save more money, and also to try take more ap classes to try to raise GPA, or maybe tell myself that I shouldnt be lazy about anything, because I will pay for it later, literally. I also think I would recomend to myself to not go with on campus living, and get an apartment, which would have helped me allot financially.

If I could go back in time; to when I was a high school senior, I would tell myself to not settle for C's. I was a slacker and it is not acceptable in a four year school. It is too difficult to catch up in college if you fall behind. I would also tell myself not to choose a college that was too close to home. I find myself getting lonely and homesick if im away for just a week. If i went to a school that was farther away, I would not have the option to go home whenever something went wrong. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so im told, but living forty five minutes away from home, it's too easy to take a day trip to see my friends and family that miss and love with all my heart.

live life to the fullest.

Be prepare to participate in extra curricular activities like involving on campus services, voulnteering, leading a group, or may be get ready for impromptu speech on any subject.

I would tell myself to really reach for my goals and dreams. Don't let anybody or people tell me or influence me to be someone I'm not. I would also say don't look back and say "shoulda, woulda, coulda" or I wish I could have done this instead. Making mistakes is a part of being a human being. Even though we don't like it, we can always grow from them and help others who are experiencing the same. That is what seperates us from being a good person to a great person. Lastly, which is quite important to me, I would say don't ever hold back in anything I do! Live your life and enjoy every moment no matter what you go through. You never really know when tomorrow is going to be your last day or someone elses that is extremely close to you. Embrace yourself as a person. You can't go wrong knowing who you are deep down inside. Also and last, don't be afraid of change sometimes. Change can be a wonderul thing! Live, Love and Grow!

I would tell myself that things will change. I ended up changing majors because I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life. After a year or so of college, I've picked a direction for my life. I have also changed my entire group of friends. I didn't know many people when I started college, but the ones that I did know ended up drifting away from me. After getting myself involved in on-campous religious group, I've made so many more friends and I would have never imagined myself in the position i am now.

Take more AP credits. Teachers in high school are much better teachers than in college.

During my senior year of high school I was very hesitant about my future. Being a first generation college student is extremely terrifying, or was the case for me. I began to doubt myself and the dreams of becoming a teacher that I always had. Going back to my senior year I would give myself personal strength and realize that my goals and aspirations are very attainable on more levels than one. Funding for school has been very difficult, even though I have two jobs I always feel the need to apply for full-time status at school. I feel that by quitting one job or becoming part-time in school will lower my self-esteem. I know that I am just as worthy of an extended education and believe that I have proven that not only to myself, but discouragers also. I would have however, taken more time into the financial aid process before entering into college, sometimes I feel that remaining out of school for a year and just working to gain money would have been a better option, but that is false. I would not trade in my education for anything.

Sit down and decide what is important to you. Then make a list of those attributes to help narrow down the long list of potential colleges. I found College Board useful while searching and eliminating potential universities. But most importantly, visit the campus. Go to the open houses and also try to find a day to walk around during a normal school day. What tour guides and faculty try to paint of a campus may be completely different from the picture you will see while there in person. Also you may notice attributes of the college that you would not have without the visit, such as the diversity and character of its students and faculty. Can you picture yourself there amongst the other students? Another tip is to pick for you. Try to avoid choosing a school based on friends who may go to the same school or family traditions. In the long run, you will be the one attending the university, so you should be the one who enjoys the campus.

I believe finding the right college is mostly based on two things. Price is always an issue of course, but assuming students can get scholarships or financial aid and loans to apply for a variety of colleges, the choice boils down to expected major and location. Knowing what you're interested in before you start applying to schools is extremely important; you want to do personal research on the competitiveness of the programs and how high-tech and accommodating the facilities are. Getting stuck wasting years and money at a school that doesn't challenge or give you a valuable and applicable real-world education is depressing and frustrating- anyone wishy-washy about what they want to do should attend community college. Secondly, location does play a major roll. The majority of people I know chose their college based on how far or near it was from home, whether in-state or out of. It sounds arbitrary and irresponsible, but I chose my school mainly because I wanted to experience city life and be sufficiently far away enough from my parents, while others aren't ready and shouldn't move away from home immediately. after high school. Also, good luck :).

When it comes to looking for the right college--look for a major that interests you, an environment that you favor (i.e. city, country, mountains, beach) and work off of those areas in your state and find a school close by. To also help you find a college thats right for you, think if you can afford in-state or out-of-state tuition and if you can afford something further away then don't hold yourself down to the limited choices you may have. Finally, to make the most out of any experience, especially a college life, allow yourself to take change with open arms and don't allow any opportunity to blow past you.

Students should make sure to do a lot of research. Figure out a few majors that you would strongly pursue and find colleges that are known or have strong programs for those fields. Visit a bunch of schools and stay overnight if possible. Figure out everything about the possible schools. Make sure to try the food, get a taste for the academic life and social life, and find out about any extracurriculars are. I think most importantly students have to remember this is your decision and your future. It doesn't matter if your family went to Harvard or UVA or UNC, what matters is what you want to do with your life and which school best suits your personality and will help you reach your goals and set you up for your future the best.

asking to alumnis

When thinking of the right college for yourself, think of all aspects of it: financially, academically and socially. You'd never want to choose a college, just because it was known for being a party school: you should choose a college that's worth staying at for the full four or two years. Make sure you visit the school and find as much financial aid as possible, if needed. A college should give you enough freedom to be your own person, but also stress the qualities needed for our future.

Make sure you are choosing the school that you could picture yourself attending. Don't make the mistake of choosing the collge with the better campus or the one that all your friends are going to. Go to the one for you.

College is the best time for one to grow and mature into an adult.. There are many universities and colleges around the world that may offer the perfect thing one is looking for but do not be afraid at looking at other alternatives. Each college has something unique about it, and when the best one comes along, hold onto it. If you find that the school is not what you thought it was, it is never too late to transfer to another one. Although this college experience is about preparing you for your future job, it is also a time to let you have fun. Parents should not be afraid when they send their children to school so make sure that there is a good and safe security system at the university. Do not forget that studies are important too. You should find the time to be able to manage your academics and your social life. It is up to you to decide whether you want a small or large school, diversity or homogeneous population, small or large classes, religious affiliation. It doesn't matter where you go, it's what you make the most of your college experience.

Parents need to take into consideration what their student needs and wants in a college, but they definitely have to share their guidance and advice. Keep finances in mind, but also remember the various opportunities for aid. Be very active in searching for scholarships because there are so many out there just waiting to be won. Students should choose a college for its academics in addition to social life. Do not choose a school simply because you hear that a lot of parties go on there. Have fun, but understand when you need to be serious and when you can have fun. You can learn a lot, make a lot of friends, and go far in life. Take advantage of everything your college has to offer.