Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

Find a school that you can see yourself going to on a regular basis. Do not skip class and pay close attention to your teachers, they are there for you; you pay their salaries!

Always think about what interests you when chosing a major. Pick something you think you will love and can grow with. Don't pick something because of money or what yours parents want. This is your life, so live it.

Make sure it's a college that you really feel comfortable at. Let your parents be involved, however don't let them make the decision of what school you will attend. Remember it's YOUR school of choice. Also make sure you pick a school that supports the field you want to study, and make sure it has many good programs for that field.

Research every school first. Visit your choices AT LEAST once. Talk to students and counselors. Follow your heart and pick what 'feels' right

Go somewhere where you know you'll be happy--visit your prospective colleges and note which campus has the greatest appeal. Go with your gut--it's wrong fewer times than you'll be on your first couple tests. If you are happier, you more likely will do well in your classes and will participate in activities that, in turn, will reduce your stress level. Don't worry that you won't fit in or that you have nothing to offer. At college, everyone -- including you -- comes from somewhere unique and has years of experiences to share that others will find excitingly refreshing. Don't worry that you won't measure up academically; if you were an average student in high school, don't feel you have to settle for that. Every man or woman is capable of the impossible if only willing enough to try.

Honestly to find the right college, visit it and take a walk around the campus. Sure, there are orientations and things such of that nature that are given through the school, but I truly encourage all to make personal trips themselves. When you attend an orientation you are usually all hyped up about it and this excitement can blur your opinion or true judgement. So in order to find the right one go with your parents, you'll know it's the right choice because you'll feel comfortable the moment you step onto the campus. Please, please, please make the most of your college experience. It's technically the last time you'll ever get to truly be a "teen" or basically not have to live as controlled as an adult is suppose to. After college it's all about careers and families and building up your future, no time for parties or game nights. So don't always keep your head in the books, remember to enjoy the time you have now so you won't have to regret it later on when you're having a middle aged crisis. Work hard, play harder.

Do plenty of research concerning job turn-out rates on each university. I felt worried going into VCU, not believing there was any chance for me to get a job in the animation field. However, after attending a presentation provided by a Siggraph student chapter, I met a few successful graduates from the Kinetic Imaging program which reassured me that VCU was a good decision. So, to prevent the paranoia of not becoming successful always research the graduates and most of all the college's connections to major industries. About making most of the college experience, really just be willing to go out of your way to learn. A lot of what you need to know isn't taught in school. You need to learn how to apply what you've learned to what you need to know in order to become successful.

Find out what fits yourself/ your student best academically, enviromentally, AND FINANCIALLY. This may involve a plan to attend on university first and then on to a more presigious schood. But never forget that you will have to pay for this education some how. Don't loose interest in free money, really look into scholorships that are availible!! ALSO make plans for studying abroad EARLY. If it gets too late you will feel upset about getting nessisary credits and graduating on time.

I would really like to advice them to take trips to learn about the colleges and the opportunity that they may server for their specific majors. Just following and setreotyping what people say about certain colleges doesn't make the school what it is. Also I recommend for at least their freshman year to get the hands on dorm expierence , to accomodate their needs without their parents.

I recommend that you pick a college with a wide diversity of programs and a diverse population. No one stays with the degree they originally start with. Also, take one fun course every year. For the first two years, when you are handling the mundane courses that you HAVE to do, the fun class gives you something to look forward to in the week. For the last two years all of the courses become your fun courses, but you have something to fall back on and take a break. For instance, this semester, I am taking an art class even though I am a humanities major. I have such a blast working once a week on a meaningless (at least to my degree) project that can be torn down at the end of class. Also, as a fair warning, plan your schedule. I'm not talking "What am I going to do on Thursday". I'm talking about "What classes am I going to take next semester and the semester after that?" If you don't have a plan, you loose focus and take TOO MANY fun classes. Stick to your plan (while being flexible) and you'll be fine.