Winthrop University Top Questions

Making friends should be your first priority then you should concentrate on the academics

When choosing a college, it is important for prospective students and their parents to consider what is truly financially achievable. Parents should discuss in detail with their child the affects of student loans. The student should then weigh that knowledge against the benefits of attending the school of their choice. Also it is important for a perspective student to research the composition of each school?s current student body. This would allow that student to determine whether or not they would be comfortable with establishing a social life at the school.

Find a college which you feel most comfortable. When making your choice, find what is most important to you in your everyday life and make sure that the college you choose can accomodate you with it.

do research

Do not be afraid to choose a college that is not well known, popular, or expensive. The question to ask is "can I see myself happily growing there for 4 years?" not "what will people think if I graduate from (x)?" To make the most out of the college experience, have an action plan. Make a modest list before the start of each school year of clubs to join, positions to run for, and desired accomplishments. Also make a list of courses to take. Aim to have everything checked off both lists by the end of the year. Learn to approach every assignment with at least a speck of enthusiasm. Top students are talented because they are able to connect with their work, not because they have better brains. Finally, learning to converse with reading material is the most worthy skill to develop in college.

Apply to more than one college. Visit every college you would like to attend and some you wouldnt. If you dont get into your first choice and that is the only one you wanted, go to Tech for a couple years, get your GPA up, take some core classes that will transfer (check to make sure) and dont get discouraged. Also dont wish your life away, 4 years +/- may seem long but it will be over in the blink of an eye.

I think it is very import to look for what you want in the school befor you jump into it

Choose a college with a profession that you will like or with a major that you will be good at. Apply for financial aid early, get involved on campus, work hard and study hard.

First of all it is important for the parents and perspective student to tour the school before a decision is made. The feeling from the tour should be a factor in the student's choice. If the campus, faculty, and living conditions feel right to the parents and student then the school might be the right place. Secondly, make sure there is a way for the student to be activly involved with their school. This keeps the student on track and help to make friends. Being involved will help the student to make the most of their experience. Keeping up with school work and keeping a positive social life will make the experience the best it can be. Students often get stressed, mostly because they don't keep up with their school work. To remain stress free the best idea is to keep organized and finish work before it is due. This will give the student more time for a social life. Find out what the campus is offering on weekends as entertainment, or what events are occuring in the town. It will be more interesting than just hanging out with friends or drinking, and lead to everlasting memories.

Make sure you visit each campus or sit in on a class. If you are a music major spend time with you professor and take a trial lesson. If you do not like your instructors you will not want to stay at that campus.

Let your kids choose where they want to go.

I would advise students and parents to visit the schools on a weekday and weekend. They should talk to the students that are walking around. They are experiencing the school at that time and will have the most up to date information. You should even sit in on a class and talk with a professor; Although the profesor will be mostly positive about the school. Look at the social calenders and the clubs that are popular on campus. These will be the things that will keep you busy and social on weekends. These are where you will meet lifelong friends.

The most important thing to look for when finding a school, is how will the school help you in finding a job after graduation. Also it is very important that the college that is chosen is affordable. If financial aid and scholarships don't come through, and the parent(s) have to pay for it, but can't, don't risk your self at missing a semester or more out of school. What makes a great college experience is getting involved and exploring new things. Experiences in college can benefit greatly when finding a job. Also you would pick up new interest and meet new friends.

The most important issue to consider when choosing a college is the "right fit." Each college has its' own benefits and drawbacks, and it's up to the student to decide which features are going to be the most beneficial to his/her education. Visit the college, and if you are able to, stay for a few days to experience campus life. Existing students can be one of your best resources for deciding if the school is a good fit for you. Asking lots of questions will help to inform your decision. Just remember that it is your education and only you can choose which kind of education you want to recieve.

I think the most important part of finding the right college is to visit as many campuses as you can. I believe that students should spend time on each of the campuses without a tour guide so that they can see exactly how they can fit in. I also think that students should live on campus for at least a year so that you can be involved with campus activities and meet people who are new to the college environment also. Another thing, if possible, try not to work a full-time job while in school. I worked a full time job since I was a sophomore in college and I highly regret not being able to do as much as I wanted to on campus. I was not able to join as many clubs or organizations because I was having to work to pay for my education and living expenses. Most importantly, have fun while in school!

Find one that is going to fit your childs needs and career plans and that isn't going to put them in debt.

College is not about following in others' footsteps or trying to impress your friends. It's about finding a respectful, clean environment where a person feels comfortable enough to learn and be accepted by those around him/ her. While in college, some say make the most of it by partying and drinking. I disagree because I do neither one and I still enjoy myself to the fullest. Your college experience should consist of you doing positive things and becoming a role model for the future. It's best to make friends, not judge others, become involved in community service and join fraternities/ sororities. Just be yourself and choose a school where you know you can be yourself. Never allow the college experience to change you a person, only make you stronger and more maturer. Don't let friends mislead you into negative situations because you will never know the true consequences. Last, stand up for yourself and all that you believe in. Study hard and maintain a high GPA because you will receive wonderful rewards for it.