Western Kentucky University Top Questions

Make sure you take the time to check out several different colleges. Once you spend a day on a campus, you have a good idea whether or not you'd feel comfortable on it everyday. Once you start college, remember that you get what you make of it. Be involved! Campuses offer so many activities to attend. Visit the schools website and attend those activities so that you can make new friends and become a part of the community that is formed on your campus. College is hard. The school work is tough, but moving out on your own is scary! Make sure to hang in there. Don't give up just because you get home sick the first week. Instead of going home because you are home sick, go to an activity or to the diner, or the room next to you in your dorm, and get to know the students around you! Most of your peers are experiencing the same feelings you are, so get out there and make friends!

College is unlike anything that most teenagers have ever experienced. Often they are away from home for the first time on their own, experiencing life and all it has to offer. Finding the right college is essential to being happy while away from everything that is familiar to you. It is important to investigate the colleges you are applying to. What is the enrollment volume? How big are classes? Does the college offer a good program in your desired major? It is also a great idea to take a tour of the campus. Some college campus' are in the city, others in more rural towns. Some are covered in concrete and others are green with landscaping throughout. You'll have to see the campus to decide which fits you best. To make the most of your college experience get involved! Universities often have clubs dedicated to every hobby and career imaginable so get out there and get involved in a few. This is the best way to get to know people at the beginning of the semester. Whether you want to go Greek, or join an intramural or club sports team, it will group you with people with similar interests!

The college years are very important as far as making connections and finding out what you want to do with the rest of your life, so don't settle! Make sure the school you decide on has the right kinds of programs, the right size campus and the right number of students. There are certain aspects where you will have to compromise, but don't bend too far. If you feel you want to go to a big school, but the small school is cheaper and still has the programs you need you will be tempted, but having the right number of people on campus is much more important than it seems at first. If you are the kind of person who likes to connect to a lot of unique individuals, a large student body is really important. Some small colleges can have diversity, but there are also many that really lack a diverse student body. College is a time to make connections and start networking, don't limit your options!

Allow your child to make his/her own decision about where they want to go. Go to each campus and have a look for yourself to get a feel for what environment best suites you. Also, your first choice may not always be the best choice, so be open to changing schools until you feel most comfortable. Lastly, try to live on campus or in your own apartment. This is a great way to ease out of the house and actually be on your own!

Be true to yourself.

To get the most out of your college experience I feel that it's very important to carefully choose your college. Personally, my dream is to eventually attend an art school and recieve a Bachelor's degree there. One of my professors once told me to "go all the way" and not to "settle" for something mediocre. I think that was probably some of the best advice given to me. He told me to try as hard as I can to earn the money I needed to go to a good school. I believe that as hard as I've worked since then has definitely paid off, but I also always keep in mind that being relaxed and focusing on my social life is the only way I'll stay sane. Stressing over school 24/7 leads to lower grades and headaches. I take the time I need for my personal artwork and relationships as well. I believe that during college people begin to know themselves better. Confidence in yourself is impossible to achieve with your head in the books all of the time. You have to have all of the ingredients to make the best of your college career.

Find a school that is strong in your major. Try to lock in on the RIGHT major before starting school. Do this by taking classes in high school that let you know if the major is right, or not. Work hard, because re-taking a class to imporve your grade is just a waste of time. Do it right the first time.

Allow your child to go where he/she wants to go without any bias opinions. Every school parties and thats just part of it, so allow your child to choose the right college according to their major of interest.

Go with what you think will allow you to do what YOU want to do.

First off: Pack duct tape - it will always come in handy. As for finding the right college, look into the college's "unofficial" history, along with the university's personal literature - look at back issues of the college's newspaper, publications from the town or city itself, and students' personal websites. This background information not only allows you a variety of information on the school, but allows you to get a feel for the student's perspective on particular events or moves made by the college that the official website may not feel it prudent to include. To make the most of your college experience, stay open to new people - it's no good living in a resident hall if you've always got your door closed. Make it a point to make friends with your neighbors - they're in the same boat you are, and can make your first year at college the most memorable. Be as prepared as you can, whether that means an endless supply of Raman noodles or the best first-aid kit in the building. Invariably, something will go wrong, and being prepared is the difference between misery and the time of your life.