Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

What should every freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University know before they start?

Amanda

Moms and Dads, this is your child's future and four years. Please let them pick their school. Stay involved with them if you can, there is no PTA in college, but that just means you get to talk to little Mikey or Suzie about what's going on (instead of their roommates). By all means, visit (bring money), help with the laundry (drop off quarters), get the mealplan, and invest in the parking space. Encourage on-campus housing if your student-to-be is not the terribly social type (they will want it already if they are), it helps your freshman get involved with the school itself, make friends, and stay focused on the schoolwork that they are actually there for. Yes, your student will occasionally forget that college was the point of this venture, you are allowed to remind them. Last but not least, do not be afraid of that community college up the street. A two year degree will transfer just about anywhere and cost a fraction of what those two years would be at a university. My fellow students, do your work. Pay your rent. You make this experience- make it a good one.

Amy

Finding the right college is different for everyone; it really depends on what degree you would like to pursue. I would visit each college and ask for examples of social events that go on throughout the year. For someone who is shy or has a hard time making friends, I would 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} recommend living on campus the first year. This will introduce you to people in your dorms and make it easier to make friends. Making the most of your college experience means focusing on your schoolwork but also balancing it with clubs and activities.

Usavadee

Don't put a price tag on your/your child's college experience. th amount of education has increase 17{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} every year, but inflation should not effect your decision about a institution that is going to nurture and mold you into the profession that you have chosen for yourself. Visit other campus gets the prospective students and guadians a sense of what the university is all about, anybody can send you a pamphet about their intitution and highlight the good qualities, but you as a comsumer is investing four or more years into this university, so tarvel arrangements should be made soon.

Shante'

It is important to find a college based on academics but it is more important to find a college that is comfortable for you. If your college is number one in your major but you don't feel comfortable or you don't seem to fit in...it will mean nothing because you will be miserable. It is hard to excel when your under stress and pressure and maybe depressed. When looking into college check the size of the school and decide if you can function in large or small classes; observe the surrounding area of the school, are you comfortable in a rural environment or do you prefer more suburban. Look at the statistics and decide is it too diverse not diverse enough. Consider the idea that you may want to come home, and is the school a decent distance if you may want to come home often if not think about in case of emergency and holidays. Not saying that accredation and ranking isn't important, it's just not the main factor which makes your decision because your well-being is far more important.

Heather

Take your time and start early.

Clodomir

Attending a university is neither the same as high school or middle school, nor is it similar. It is a totally different and ultimately life-changing experience; whether it be for the better or worse is up to the student. Once you choose a college to attend, one should expect to be there for a minimum of 4 years. For these reasons, choosing the right college should not be a process taken lightly. The student should be satisfied with the level of education administered, the environment , the possiblities in a social life and the available opportunities on and off campus. Of course, even the most accredited institutions aren't perfect, butba student should apply to colleges that are the closest to their desires. Once accepted, students should do their best to not succumb to the negative aspects of college life and stay on track with what they came to accomplish at the university. Many students lose sight of their goals and become caught up; my advice to them is, "No matter what the adversities may be, remember overcoming it will build your character. Adorn your motivation proudly and know that failing to succeed initially doesn't mean you failed ultimately."

michael

When looking into a school you shouldnt be naive about a school, if a school dosent exactly have what you want you shouldnt look over it because it may have something else that you never experinced. and college is all about expanding your ideas about life i believe cause in the real world people are so diffrent so is only good you get a head start in college. to make the most out of your college experince you should always remeber what you are in college for, and that is to get a degree. you can make the most of your experience if you manage your time. always get your homework done and study and the partying will be more fun than normal trust me, all the rec activities will be more rewarding and on top of that you will maintain good grades.

Anastasia

Deciding on which college to attend is the first major life and financial decision a young adult will have to make . It is a decision that has the capability of affecting almost all other major benchmarks in life: career choice, when and where to buy a home, finding a spouse, and even the year of retirement. So, yes, you better choose wisely! Choose a school that gives you the biggest bang for your buck- and make sure you know exactly how far that buck will stretch. But also be sure to choose a place that you will start to call home after the first semester or so. More and more students are opting for degrees that can take four and five years to complete; be sure to feel comfortable in and enjoy your surroundings since transferring can ring up costs and tangle up credits. And parents: my biggest piece of advice to you is to not be afraid of a school that seems just out of financial reach. There are so many ways your student can make up the difference with scholarships, aid packages, and not to mention a job after graduating! You can only go to school once.

Olufunmilayo

Make sure u find and get enough information about your desired school. It would even be better if you asked someone from that school that you don't know so that the person can be honest. If you ask your friends or someone you know, they would just tell you what u want to hear cause they are your friends. Moreover, school is no joke, so work hard and it is easy to procrastinate, trust me. Still have fun and get involve and most importantly, make SMART choices and don't forget God.

Michael

Look around at different collegees. Don't wait til the last minute to start looking. Widen your horizon and apply to a couple different places. Decide what you want to do and find a university that fits that want. Once you get there, continue planning ahead and enjoy yourself.