American University Top Questions

Get organized as soon as possible and don't be influenced by the work ethics of the students around you. Plan on getting a little work done on the weekends, and try to save as much money as possible before getting to school. Eat healthy and get a sufficent amount of excercise.

you've developed a good work ethic so don't slack off.

The best advice that I can give anyone as far as finding the right college is look at everything that interests you but don't limit yourself to that criteria. College is about experiencing new things and challenging your beliefs. Alot of it just comes down to luck because it is impossible to predict how somemthing will turn out. But once you are at your school look for groups and activites that you are familiar with or if you prefer do something that you have never done. The way to make the best of your college experience is to just put yourself out there and hope for the best.

When selecting which college your child is going to attend, it's really helpful to talk to students that already attend the colleges you're considering. They live there, study there, socialize there every day, so who better to give you an idea of what it's like to attend that school? They can help you better gage the kind of environment the school provides and what your child's experience will be like. It's the key to picking a school, in my opinion. I knew that American University was the right school for me after I talked to students and realized how much they care about the world around them, and how open mindedness plays a huge role in the learning process.

Start early, give yourself enough time to learn about the college and scholarship application process, and apply for every scholarship you can.

There is no such thing as the "perfect college". Quite honestly, there are many schools that a student would be happy with. If they like the area, like the size, and enjoy the atmosphere, it's up to the student to make the best of the college. Joining a team or a club early helps new students learn familiar faces around campus and applying yourself to studying makes your time seem spent well. The most important thing is a positive attitude; if a student wants to enjoy themselves at a college, if they have a positive attitude about the entire experience, then they will enjoy themselves. An open mind, combined with hard studying, will result in the student getting the most out of their college experience.

When looking for a college have a clear sense of what you do and don't want from your college experience. I wanted the chance to move somewhere and 'get lost.' I've always seen college as being another opportunity for adventure and discovery, and by being in a foriegn place I've been able to realize what I do and don't want in my life. On the top of your college search list write down what it is you want, and with that inspiration in mind begin to explore the opportunities. Don't be afraid to pick one or two schools that you would never be interested in, I ended up going to my back-up school and I don't think I would've been as happy anywhere else. Most of all remember that it doesn't matter where you end-up, what matters is the journey.

Go to a school that is best for your major or career. Have a plan and goal for the future. Decide what you want to be in the future and than figure out how you are going to accomplish your dreams. Do not go to a college just because its cool or your friends are going. Maybe you go to a great school, but did they have a good program in your major? If not, than don?t go. Education is the biggest investment you will make in your entire life so choose wisely. Stay focused, don?t get distracted. Pick the school best for you, not just where your lover is. College is a once in a lifetime experience. However, you are there for an education, a degree and a future job. You aren?t paying money just to make straight F?s and to party yourself to death. Do stay focused on the point of college, which is learning. Make friends, have fun, go to parties but homework must come first. If you ever think about dropping out, well don?t. Keep going, keep trying. Take out loans, do what it takes. Never give up ever

I recommend parents and students find the college that best suits and contains the right balance of personality, interests, and professional pursuits the student wishes to become involved in.

I would advise students to do as much research as possible about college choices. Many times, students apply to a college because of previously held assumptions or because it is well-known. You should really look for a college that fits your personality and where you think you would succeed the most academically. When I applied to American University, I had been researching colleges for months. I religiously combed through college advice websites to see what current students had to say and I often took online quizzes to help me figure out which kind of college I would want to attend, which helped tremendously. What many prospective college students have to understand is that college--at least my university--is nothing like how college life is oftentimes depicted. Most of the time it is hard work, academically and socially, with learning to self-motivate, adjusting from the culture shock that arises when one leaves home for a new place for the first time, finding your niche in the campus community, and other obstacles that come with the newfound independence. College, unlike high school is a place where you can pursue what you are truly passionate about and consequently find yourself.