William Paterson University of New Jersey Top Questions

College is what you make of it, so make it a good experience. Don't be afraid to take chances, but remember that your choices will effect your life.

I wouldn't say anything at all to myself, since I wouldn't need to. The only advice I would have to give is the exact same advice my parents gave me: "Study hard, eat right, and have an open mind." Besides, it wouldn't make a difference. The importance of those three lessons, especially the last one, is something that has to be learned through trial and error. No one can make you learn it, they can only guide you, and my parents and the friends I made in college did a perfect job of that.

First of all, you need to get your ducks in a row NOW. Fill out your financial aid papers as soon as possible, get all the college applications you'll need together early and send them out, and most importantly, always be on the lookout for scholarships!!! You can get accepted by every college in the country, but it won't mean squat if you can't afford to go to any of them. I know you're relieved that you made it through high school, but the battle is by no means over. You've still got four years of school in front of you, at least, and these are the most important education years of your life. You need to stop letting people with no goals drag you down with them. Keep your head in the game. But most importantly, put yourself out there and talk to people. Give yourself a chance to grow as a person. You've come a LONG way, but don't stop there. No one else is gonna do it for you, so take a chance and meet new people. You never know who might be your next lifelong friend.

Take some time to find what you actually like to do, and what fields of study that pertain to your interests and potential career choice. Don't just jump into a major, or career path, without knowing if it is something you would actually want to do with your life. Most importantly find a school that will provide a comfortable environment where you will be able to persue your interests, and do well academically and socially. If i could do it all over again, i would have taken a year off in between high school and college to take the time to find what i enjoy, instead of getting rushed into it just because it was the next step.

Don' t pick the college because its "far enough". Pick a school and vist a school that fits all of your needs and makes you feel comfortable. Being at a university is like being at a secomd home so feeling that you are needed is a major aspect. Talk tot some of the professors within your major before entering to see how interested they are in your future. After all, your tuition is their paycheck!

I would tell any student to look mainly for a college that has excellent ratings in whatever field they plan to study. But to also remember to look for schools that they feel at home at. I chose WPU because I loved the campus life. It was close to home so I wasn't really looking for it to be like home. It also had my major and many resources. I had my challenges, but overall I would chose this school again and again if asked to start over. I have also found my best friends for life here. Any student looking for a better future should definitely continue their education. William paterson University made one of the biggest impacts on my life.

Just Allow Your Child to express & discover their own path in life. This is there shining moment to define their career.

College only happens once in a lifetime, so I believe it's crucial for parents and students to think long and hard about the right college. College is what you make of it, so present as many opportunities for yourself as possible, and enjoy!

College is a great time to find yourself. To choose the best college for you, look for one that best fits into your current life style. For example, are sports important for you, or acedemics, or a great nursing program? Even if you end up attending a college and hating it, go ahead a keep searching for one you will love. There is a college out there for everyone so find yourself and the college that you will be satisfied with.

Advice I would give parents when finding the right college is, pick a school that you know your child will be happy and can succeed in. My first year experience at William Paterson I have met students parents who weren't content with them being there, but accepted it because their child is happy and excelling. For students the best advice I can present to you to make the best out of your experience here at William Paterson University is networking. Make friends with as many people you can possible, upper class men, tutors, and faculty. By doing this you are spreading your wings here at William Paterson. Upper class men love to meet new students and take them under their guidance and show them around campus. Tutors are very helpful when it comes to your school work, they have no problem staying a couple minutes behind to help you in anything you may have trouble with. Faculty is easy to get in contact with. Wether it's your professor or advisor, every faculty member is accessible through email to assist you.

Got to Collegeboard.com and just do a lot of research on academics, and social life, also go to lots of campus visits to make sure you are comfortable in with the environment

I would give students the advice of registering for an internship class in thier junior year so that they make sure they know that is what they want to do with thier life. I would also advise the student to apply for as many grants and scholarships that they can because getting stuck with thousands of dollars in loans at the end of your graduation isn't any fun. And lastley, I would also advise the student to work very hard from the start to keep that GPA up! It's so important to study hard and have that reflected in your grages because it can make a difference for your future.

As a graduate I would advise parents to first search for information on different colleges that offer a program that your child is interested in. If it is Education, then get online and find all those different schools that pride themeslves on the best programs for Education. I also want to say that if your child is not sure about what career they want then inform them that they just have to be interested in something. Remember that the fisrt two years of college are all general education. Your child has until theriijunior year to figure out what major they would like. Most students make the mistake of thinking that they have to know what they want from the beginning . Please keep in mind that academic success is what is important and that sometimes students stumble on a career they never thought of before. As parents it is our job to get them to succeed and require them to go to college, but remember they need positive reinforcement at all times no matter what age. Remember to apply for scholarships within the school or even on line. There are so many available towards students' achievements. Good luck.

I would encourage students to know for sure what they want to major in before attending college this way they dont waste any time taking classes they have no interest in. Students should also picks schools that are known for what they will major in. I would encourage them to make sure the commute is within a reasonable distance if they are commuters and if they are on campus, their school should have nearby convenience centers for food, shopping and hanging out.

The advice I would give parents about helping your children find the right college is simply to save some money on the side for your child's education. Tuition is very expensive and books are extremely expensive also. Just be prepared to help your child financially if they need it. For the students I suggest that they fill out the Fafsa and any financial aid papers on time, and apply for as many scholarships as they can to help them pay for their education. Choose a school where you are truly content with the area, the cost of attendence, and with the people. Choose a school where at least a couple more of your friends are attending just so you can feel comfortable. Besides that, play some sports or join some clubs just to make your college experience a memorable one. Your education is very important so just make sure you keep your priorities straight. Schoolwork comes first before anything. As long as you put your entire heart into your education you should be great.

I would tell parents and students alike to find a campus that makes the student feel comfortable. The first step to maximizing the college experience is being happy with the school the student is attending. In order to make the most of the college experience, the student has to step outside of his or her comfort zone and try new things, meet new people, and learn from mistakes. If the student and parents take every experience as a learning experience, the potential for personal growth is unlimited. The "college experience" is about learning about oneself and pushing everything to the limits. Sometimes it takes a little risk to gain a life-changing experience.

Finding the right college requires exploring options, such as what degree you are intending to pursue, college location, classroom size, teacher to student ratio, the success of students after graduating, course offerings, tuition, and on-campus housing. It is important to visit the college before applying because getting a tour of the campus will help you decide on whether or not the school is right for you. You are more likely to make the most of the college experience if the school you are attending is compatible with you. Making the most of the college experience will happen if you strive to do your best in the classes that you take and also involve yourself in extracurricular activities that will expand your horizon. Don't simply pick the easiest professor just to get an easy A, but challenge your ability to think and overcome academic obstacles. Also, don't engage all of your time in your studies, but balance your academic life with a healthy social life that may include clubs, fraternities/sororities, sports, or any other extracurricular activities. The best college experience doesn't just happen, you have to make it happen by making the right choices for yourself.

When it comes to finding the right college, my advice would be to sit down with your parents and come up with the things that you are looking for in a school. These may include programs offered, financial aid available, price range, and resources available (tutoring, couseling, career planning, etc.) One important detail that often gets overlooked is the atmosphere on campus. You should choose a school where you are comfortable, and feel as though you can fit in and be happy. The best way to get a feel for this is to actually visit the school. Sometimes the images promoted on admissions pamphlets can be misleading. Once there, take a little time to explore your new surroundings and get to know the people around you. Introduce yourself to your professors. They like it when you show interest and make an effort. Don't be afraid to try new things. Remember, it's ok to ask for help if you need it. Make use of the resources available to you- you pay for them. Lastly, go to events like Club Fair to see what activities there are, and GET INVOLVED!!! Your college experience will be what YOU make of it.

I get asked these questions all the time by perspective students and I always give them my honest college experience. In my opinion there is nothing like living on campus. It is the heart of the college experience that aids in buillding great realtionships, joining on campus activities and having a socail life aside from your classes. Even though the world is going through a financial crisis and housing is pretty expensive, it is worth every dime and there is scholarship money available to those who really want it. More importantly, I always reccommend whatever school they are interested in always do your research for the major that you choose. Even though a social life is very important, getting the best education possible and finding what we want to do with our lives is our main reason for attending college. Also, I can not stress more that students and parents should visit the schools and get a closer look for yourself. There is nothing like an inside look to what you would really be getting yourself into. My last piece of advice to the student is go with your choice not your parents because you have to attend the school.

I feel that the most important advice to give parents and/or students about finding the right college is that there isn't just one right college. College is what you make of it. Whether you are able to go hundreds of miles away or are only able to stay local, it is all what you make out of it. It doesn't matter if you are at an ivy-league school or a local university, it is always about hard work and dedication. I advise students to always go for their dreams and to always work to their full potential. I also advise students to make the most of their college experience by meeting new people. College is a very important and interesting part of life. While it is important to be dedicated to your school work, it is also very important to interact and meet new people. I feel that meeting people at college has definitely made me a better person. I also feel that it has taught me things that no classroom or book will ever be able to teach me. Enjoy college but most importantly enjoy life!