Anthony
For parents, finding the perfect college for their child is just as important to them as it is for a person purchasing their first car. Just like that of a car, you have to perform extensive research in evaluating your final decision. You would want to know how much road mileage the car has, its transmission, its interior/exterior features, etc. Deciding on the best college choice for your child follows the same path and shouldn't be any different. Wherever your child goes, you would want to be informed of what fields of study the school is expertise in. This should strengthen your child's academic relationship with the school and benefit from their personal interests/declared major. You should also consider looking into the school's population & size, diversity, and location (city or rural).
For students, making the most of the college experience is in your hands. Making friends is just half of the equation. Remember, life is 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of what happens to you and 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of how you respond to it. Colleges offer numerous opportunities/activities and it's up to you to respond and take advantage of those possibilities; they're endless!
Aaron
From my own personal experience the advice I do give to parents and those coming to college is to know what kind of person you are and your goals. You should know what kind of enviornment you want to be around because you will be living there. I always tell my friends and their parents to visit the schools they want to attend because if not there is a chance that you will get there and not like what you see or feel that institution is for you.
While at school there are alot of times where things don't go as you thought they would. There will be times where you will be bored and there will be other times where you feel that your school disn't match up to your expectations. The best thing to do for that is to stay busy and look forward to meeting people from all types of places who have different ways of seeing things like you and with that you should not have a problem with finding a place to fit in and spread yourself to meeting people different than you are.
Davinna
Choose your Major. It?s ok to be undecided, but the longer you wait, the longer it?ll take to graduate. Go on College Tours. Visit colleges that interest you. You won?t be able to enjoy, if you?re not happy. Many people apply to colleges and get accepted, only to find that they can?t afford it. Seek financial aid if needed and have options so that you can still be happy if you can?t attend your first priority school. Take advantage of tutors, the school library, computer labs, classmates etc. Form study groups and do everything you can to succeed in your classes. Become friends with your colleagues and Professors. This will expand your network and it?ll be easier to find help if you need it. Find a organization that interests you so that you?ll be doing something productive when you?re not working hard. Don?t party too much. When you do, don?t put yourself in situations that can jeopardize your education or harm you. Be responsible. Parents should let their children learn to be independent, but students shouldn?t blow off their parents. Stay in touch and keep your parents informed.
Porscha
I always tell people that going the community college route is the way to go. I just received my A.A. degree in Communications, and I'm now beginning Bowie State University with both a degree and no student loans (yet). Many times, students (like myself) leave high school and start college without being prepared or mature enough to handle the change in curriculum; they don't realize the seriosness of going to college. After starting, they ended up having remedial classes, flunking out of a few courses, or more often they may be confused on choosing the right major and finding their "niche". This turns a four-year education into five or six years. Community colleges help these students to take their time in figuring out what they want out of college, while saving money and earning a degree. If I had to start my college experience all over again, I would do it in 2.5 seconds. I've also realized that college is more than just schoolwork. It's also a learning experience socially, helping students learn about other's unique experiences and views, which helps them view life in a new perspective.
Teaira
Visit the school and be with your children through the process of getting classes, financial aid, books, and housing, etc for the first year. You'll really understand the stuggle and overwhelming process of everything and it would make it soo much easier for the freshman.
Dominic
When determining what college you want to go to first you need to decide if you want to attend a 4 year institution, or a community college. If you decide to attend a four year institution, you need to decide if you want to leave home or stay and commute. I would recommend beginning to look for a university in your junior year of high school. When applying to the university, you should apply by mid Octoboer. This shows the admission comittee that you are interested in going to the university, and increases the chances of there being scholarships left to be given. Once the decision is made, you really need to go visit the campus in question. Find out the average class size, and scope out the walking distance between classes. You need to make sure that you are comfortable with both of these in order to be sure your college experience is worthwhile. Talk with some of the current students and see how they like the university. Its ok to have fun at the university, but in order to make the most, you need to know how manage your time. This will ensure a successful college experience.
Karla
Finding the right college can be the most difficult experience in one's life. However, once a college is decided upon and the pupil enters the first semester at the university, all of the effort and time that was put into the process proves to be worth it. College is truely what you make it. Every college has it's ups and downs that could either draw or deter applicants. But when one makes the most out of their college experience, it is only then that they have found the "right college" for them.
The first semester at college is the time to do things that were never before deemed possible. Join any group that sparks one's interest, even if they would be looked down upon by previous friends. The true college experience does not limit itself to the mediocre mindsets of high school friends. Instead, when one makes the most out of a college experience, they have found not only themselves but also the right college for them.
Ashley
Don't pick a college just because your friends want to go there, choose one that best fits yours needs!
Sherica
The advice I would give to parents or students about finding the right college and making the most out of the college experience would be, listen to your heart, follow your instincts, and everything you can to get where you want to go . When I was in my senior year of highschool, people kept telling me to go to an out-of-state college. Their main reason was so that I would gain independence, as well as, to travel. Of course I listened to them because they have already gone through the college experience, but I did not listen to myself. I wanted to go to an in state school because I already knew which school I wanted to attend and that, financially, it would be better for me as well. Instead I went to an out-of-state school. I loved the school but it always felt like somethingwas missing. At the end, I ended transfering to an in state school and I couldn't be happier. It's ok to get advice from other people, but only take that advice into consideration and do what satisfies your needs and wants.
darnissa
start looking for scholarships while in middle school