Western Kentucky University Top Questions

I have some common advice to give to prospective students. When you go visit a college, be truthful to yourself. Ask yourself where you think you would fit in. Could you really see yourself in the classrooms, at the gym, in the dorms of that particular college? If the answer is 'yes' than that school is for you. Once you have narrowed it down to 2 or 3 schools, think about scholarship opportunities, distance, and the type of field you want to go into. There are many schools that could be right for you. You can't make a bad choice. After all, it is all a learning experience. Don't stress about it. Wherever you go, you will learn something that will lead you to the rest of your life. Wherever you go, you will have the opportunity to succeed.

My advice is if your child already knows what they would be interested in for a major then picking a school based off of that particular major would be a wise choice. Taking college tours is one of the most helpful descision makers out there. When you take a tour of a prospect school at the end you can almost tell whether or not you would picture yourself being there. As for making the most of your college experience joining organiziations that you are passionate about or getting out of your comfort zone to try new things and meet new people are very helpful ways to make the most out of the college years. There are thousands of people on a campus and by being open-minded it will be easy to make friends. You learn so much about your school when you attend different functions put on by different groups that it makes you more aware of what is actually on your campus. College is in fact what you make of it so although it can be difficult it can also be some of the most memorable years in your life.

I'd honestly say, "follow your heart." Speaking as a non-traditional student who finished a degree several years after high school, I frequently think about my first college experience and all of the advice I received from everyone around me. While they were all trying to be helpful, in the end, it was my own opinions I should have heeded above all the others. I chose a major that would secure me a job instead of what I really loved. I ended up dropping out and I put off school for several years because I just couldn't choose a field. Two years ago, I finally decided to return to college and ended up in the major I had thought about during my first years as a student. It really doesn't matter if you can get a job or if it makes your parents happy; if you aren't happy, then you won't enjoy your college experience and you won't get the full value of your education and college life.

The biggest advice I can give to students trying to pick a college is: do not follow your friends to school. It is important to understand that you will meet tons of new people in college, people that may become your new best friends for life. High school friends may not be your friends for life and going to a college just because they are is not a way to find out who you are and is not the best way to enjoy your college experience. I would completely recommend picking an atmosphere that is comfortable to you and matches your educational wantings. The University a student attends will be there home for about 8 months out of the year- pick somewhere that makes you feel at home, safe, comfortable, and most of all will bring out the best in you and your education. Parents, my advice is do not make your child pick a college close to home. They need to step out into the world and make something of themself on their own.

It's not always what you see in the movies. Every kid is different, so don't think it's all like the movies.

The advice that I would give to parents and students is to both research the schools their child is interested in attending. They should also take the time out to speak to reprensentives and students to get an idea of the school they will be attending and to makes sure it has the ammenties and things the student desires of the school. Another advice I would suggest is having a college fund or savings set aside for the student to help them through school. Again it would be good to research and look at all the prospects of financial aid, grants, and scholarships so that the students don't have to limit themselves into to having to take out loans. If the student has to take out loans, it's wise to speak to financial aides and ask many questions about the loan. How the student can make most of their college experience is to stay focus and study so that they do well in their classes. They should be actively involved with the school whether working or being part of a club. The last thing I would suggest is stay away from people who aren't focused and negative.

Finding the right college takes time and patience. Knowing who you are as a person will make the biggest difference in your college selection. I learned quickley that college is very different from high school. You must be secure in your beliefs and morals and be ready to stand on your own in a whole new world. Finding the right fit may take more than one visit to the same college as well. I would encourge students to talke with professors and students at the college as well. You will want to know the study life, and social life of the college. Most importantly, don't rush the decision, and listen to your parents. Although you are merging into adulthood, converse with them about their thoughts as well. Believe it or not, they know you pretty well.

Every student should go on as many college visits as possible and try to interact with other students to try to figure out which campus is best for them. They should think about cost, social life, extracurricular activities, and of course, academics.

Parents, you have to let your child begin to be their own person in highschool, so that they do not fall prone to certain social diseases in college, such as drinking and drugs. I know all too many students which have fallen prone to these, all because their parents were so overbearing in highschool, that the freedom of college was far too much for them. Students, you have to do well in highschool, to prepare for college. The curriculum is challenging, but is quite bearable if you study, and keep on top of your classes. Attendence is crucial to success in college; even if it seems that nothing is being accomplished in some classes, or class attendance is non-mandatory, if you don't attend, you won't do well.

I would suggest making a list of all of the colleges you're interested in and why you like them. After visiting each one of them (without friends from home), hopefully one should just stand out and "feel right". Be sure to consider things like class size to accomadate the style of learning that fits you best. Also, does the town fit you? Would you be able to get around and function? Be sure to not make your college decision based on your high school friends, you will make new friends and you don't have to lose the old ones! GET INVOLVED. The only way you're gonig to acclimate to your new environment is by establishing a new active social life. If you continue to drive home every weekend, your new school will never feel like home.