Kandace
I would suggest visiting the colleges you are interested in. It is beneficial to take tours, talk to professors, sit in on a class, talk to current students, and explore campus facilities.
After you have chosen your college, get pulgged in. Meet with professors, join in on campus activities, get to know people, and find your niche.
Jacqueline
I would advise parents to simply ask their child what they really want in life before they bring up any conversation about attending to college. There is no point in forcing them to go if they have no desire because if it is not in their heart then they will be wasting time and most of all money. So it has to be up to the student to want to better their life and seek something better. Also, your child needs to find a college that meets their needs and fits into their lifestyle. I do not think a parent should force them to attend a college/university that goes back to family tradition if they do not want to go and have another school in mind that may be better taylored for them. I would suggest students to really ask themselves what they want in life before they decide to go to school. There is no point if the student does not have the desire so it is up to the student not mom and dad. I would tell a student to make sure they are going to school for the right reasons and make sure they study hard.
Ryan
Connect with your major. Poke around into its history and problems. Memory works by association with things you already know. A sense of familiarity makes the ideas you'll be encountering more sticky. You'll forget less and know more. You're in college to become a field-specific expert and permantly learning your stuff happens to be the only way of doing that.
Rachel
Look into every choice that you might have. Each school is extremely different and make sure you pick the school that you can see yourself attending for the next four years. Some schools have different resources for their students, so always take that into consideration. A school with a large alumni chapter is always great because it can help you get a job when you graduate. It also helps to know what you will be studying because many schools have different programs and some of them have more resources and opportunities for the field you're interested in. When you get to your first semester, make sure you keep an open mind about what your college experience will be. Get involved in any way you can but always make sure that it doesn't interfere with your grades. Research groups on campus that you're interested in. Finding a study group is a great way to make friends with similar interests. If you have any trouble, know that its okay to use the university's resources for academic success. Most of all, have a great time! College is a wonderful experience and you should cherish the time you have there!
Hannah
Choosing the right college can be one of the most important decisions a student and/or parent can make. College is the road to the future, full of life changing experience that nothing else can replace. It is in college were a person discovers their true self away from parents, siblings, security, and the comforts of living at home. A student must learn how to depend on and trust in their own abilities to basically survive. When I was choosing where I was going to attend, I visited many universities around the state. At the time I was very lost in life and knew I needed to find my path, the right path. For many, this journey to the right path may need a few wrongs turns in order to discover, but ultimately the decisions a student makes at college will lead them to the main road. The main road that everyone ends up on is often filled with traffic, road bumps, and accidents, but our experiences in college are what teach us how to overcome these tribulations. Happiness and success have to start on our own individual paths at college, but they all ultimately lead to the main road.
Kashena
Tour the campus before you enter the school.
Marlene
Parents should help their children choose a college based on their academic standards as well as its location. Students will find that they will enjoy their college experience far more if they attend a school that shares the same principles of life whether it be religiously or politically. That way, they will find many other people with the same interests and will be better able to make deep connections ultimately creating strong lifelong friendships. The location of the school is also important because it ultimately decides what kind of activities and recreational things there will be available for the student do take part in. Both the student and the parent should make sure that the student is receiving the best possible education while still allowing for some fun adventures!
Heather
Because college is so expensive I think it is important that a student truly analyzes what his/her goals are for the future. The student needs to make the decision of what type of environment they will be comfortable in and what it will take for them to excel and reach their goals . They need to research the mission, the campus life and the academic programming of the school they are considering and see if there is a match with their personal and professional goals.
Tara
Know exactly how much it will cost and plan accordingly.
Logan
Pick the college that makes you feel at home and welcome. It is necessary for your education to feel comfortable at the college or university!!!