Western Kentucky University Top Questions

Plan a school visit and try to talk to students that have attended the school for a while to get a good idea of the good and bad things about the school.

I believe that finding the right college is determined by your personality. If you are someone who is laid back and somewhat of a family person, you want to find a college close to home that offers an inexpensive good quality education. If you are upbeat and like the big city life then you want to focus on larger universities or schools. It is important also to make sure they offer your program of choice. After that, look at the classes and ask others if possible. College experience is all in how you look at it. You need to be open minded and know that you are going to meet all kinds of people. Be open to that and be willing to learn as much as you can. College is one of the best times of your life so make the most of it and cherish every moment.

I believe that choosing the right college is based upon how well educated your professors are in your own field, as well as being in a safe learning environment. You want your professors to know what is best for you, and to challenge you as much as possible throughout your time in college. I think it is also important to be in a safe learning environment because this past semester our university went through a "gun scare" and we thought shots were fired on campus. It turns out that nothing happened, (which was a relief) but I felt assured that my university took care of the situation the best way possible to keep our commmunity safe. I believe it is also important to be involved in campus activities and to make great friends you will have for a lifetime. It makes the college experience so much more rewarding and memorable when you have great friends that are always there to experience it with you.

Research, Research, and Research!!

Since the financial burden of school falls upon my shoulders it was very hard for me to look past the cost of school. I chose the college I attend simply because the price was in my budget. My recommendation would be to not be so concerned with the cost. I know it seems like a lot for an education, but go where you feel most at home. Go to the school that makes you the happiest and try not to think about the cost too much. Also if the cost does seem daunting, apply for as many scholarships as you can get your hands on. Don't think that if you don't fit every little criteria that they aren't worth applying for because they are. Every little bit counts in offsetting the cost of school.

I would tell parents to make sure that when you are doing a campus tour that you feel as comfortable as possible. The more relaxed you and your child feel about the campus, its academics, social activities and job placement will make it an easier transition for both.

Definitely talk with financial aid to see what you can do as a student/parent to prepare for the academic year, get to know your professors and don't be afraid to seek help from your professors or tutors outside of the classroom. Every one of them is willing to go above and beyond what is asked of them to help assure your success. Don't take your education lightly. Make sure to attend all classes and get the most out of your education. Just because what you learn in the classroom doesn't apply to the degree you are working toward doesn't mean that it doesn't apply to general life.

The best advice that I could give to a prospective college student about finding the right college is to keep your options open. Apply to as many schools as you can, so that when its time to choose your school, you are not limited to one or two schools. And as far as making the most out of your college experience goes, stay involved. The people that don't enjoy college are the people that just sit around their dorm room all the time watching t.v. in their underwear. There is always plenty to get involved in, so find a niche that you belong in, and live your college experience up to the fullest.

Visit the school and just pick the one you would want to spend 4 years at. Don't worry about reputation or money, just pick the one you like the best.

Don't pick somewhere just because your friends do, pick a place that will the be the closest to suite what you want out of life.

Have fun, but be responsible. Don't do anything you'd be ashamed to tell your parents. You know, go to class, do your homework, study, make good grades. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Eat well, sleep well. Make new friends. Get involved. Do something you LOVE.

Find out what kind of grants, scholarships and finincial aid you can recieve from the schools you are applying to. Get organized and plan out what you want to do, what classes you want to take and how long it will take you to accomplish your goals. Ask questions because you will not always get information handed to you. Live on campus, it is a great experience and good practice for adulthood, you gain much more responsibility and maturity this way. Also, by being involved on campus you make more friends, college is about developing who you are-- your identity as well as your career. Don't get overwhelemed, you can only do as much as you capable of, so try not to stress. However, this does not mean that you shouldn't care, not go to class and party all the time. After all your main goal in college is to get an education. Remember all of these things and you will be fine and your college experience will be beneficial.

Look for schools and communities that really encourage students to push theirselves in their degree and other interests. Often times I see students loose interest in hobbies and interests because they become more focused on working or partying. So parents and students should look for a school that is affordable and offers as much help as possible to attend, and also promotes and rewards students more often when pursueing self improving activities outside of schoolwork.

Make sure that you are ready and want to go to the university you choose.

A good start at finding the right college would be to visit the campus, and if possible, stay a few days on campus and sit in on potential classes. You can get a pretty good idea, but you won't know for sure if it's the perfect college for you or not until you actually start. As for making the most out of your college experience, make priorities. I would advise that the number one priority be your schoolwork. Studying and getting homework done on time is vitally important to your success not only in college but also in your future career and life. The habbits ( focusing, accomplishing what you want, finishing what you have started, etc.) you form while in college, are the ones you will have when you get out. If you make good habits it will be that much easier to get a good start at life. If you have bad habits or if you have not fully developed certain habits, it will likely make for a bumpier start in your chosen career. So try to get as much of that accomplished while in college. You'll find you still have time for fun stuff too.

It's whatever you make of it. You have to choose your attitude. Find a place you feel the most comfortable in, and yet feel like you'll be stretching yourself academically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Let it shape your character and your mind.

Look a lot at the specific department that you want to major in....

When you decide the college that you want to support for four years go for the academics, then the class size, then finally decide on the campus by the beauty of the college/university campus

It doesn't matter if you attend the best, most expensive college in the nation if you don't put anything into it. Get involved, study, make friends. If you do this, you will learn, no matter where you are!

Definitely visit as many college campuses as you possibly can. Observe classes in the field in which you intend to study, visit the dorms (remember, the sample room any college campus will show you is probably better than most of the other rooms on that campus.), and eat campus food. Don't base your decision on where your friends are going, and absolutely do not base your decistion on where your significant other is attending school. Keep in mind that you probably won't be with that person when you graduate college. College is fun, but it is still school. Find a place where you think you will be comfortable but at the same time motivated to learn. Moderation is key!