California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Top Questions

Make sure you visit each college and really investigate the majors of study available at each college. Make sure the environment and atmosphere seems right for you. It helps if you talk to current students. To make the most of your college experience, get involved in a club or some type of group that shares similar interests or values as you. There you will make the most friends and feel as if you really belong on campus.

In order to find the right college for you, I would suggest going with your first instint and attending a place that will make and keep you happy. College is usually the first time students are away from home and they need to be able to feel comfortable while being away. So I would choose a place that you feel will give you the college experience that you are looking for. If its only eduation your looking for than go to a very eduational school. If its fun you want to have then go to a fun school. The only advice I have is to make sure that you go where you want to go and not where you think you should go.

The only way to choose the right college for the student is to visit it. That way the student can really know whether or not they can see themselves at that particular college. Once they are at college it is very important to get involved in extra-curriculars, that way there is a deeper connection between the student and the school.

I would suggest going to any schools they may be interested in while the schools are in session, rather than over a break. I would also suggest that they take campus tours and not be afraid to ask students, or people they may be lucky enough to know any questions about the campus they may have. Most students, even the ones you don't know are more than willing to help you out with this important decision that they recently made themselves. Remember, you don't know unless you ask. I would also suggest keeping an open mind and using online college websites research fully not only the academics of a college that they're interested in, but also research the surrounding community and extracurricular activities of each college. Finding a college is not only about finding a school, its about finding a new home.

Tour college campuses to make sure you are happy with the set-up and area the college is located. When at college, get involved! This will help the student make friends and create a network. Getting involved in clubs usually means dealing with professors/faculty, so if the students ever has problems getting into a class or even passing a class these people are more likely to help the student because they are aware of the student's involvement in other things.

I would strongly encourage parents and students to visit the college of interest during the school year so they get an idea of the types of people that attend and how everyone interacts and also to get the general feel of the college. Attending advising programs, or programs where you can participate in the campus in any way would also be very benefitial. If the student knows of a friend who attends the college, staying with them for a night or two and exploring what the campus has to offer is a huge help, and can really influence how one feels or sees the campus. Also, meeting with the head of the department the student is interested in would be benefitial to understanding the length of the program offered, and what the program entails. Overall, simply researching each college of interest and knowing which aspects are important to the student and if the college offers them is the most important in making the right decision.

Go for it! Take that trip, visit those campuses! Visiting a school gives you a good feel of the campus and the students, and don't be afraid to ask hard questions. There are going to be surprises at college, but doing your research will help you know what to expect. If you have researched, visited, and asked around, and you still can't decide, you may want to consider the distance the school is from home. I know most students want to get away from home, but don't go too far unless you know you can handle it. I have seen too many students ache with homesickness and even drop out because they are too far from what is familiar. If you are down to two schools, maybe you should go with the closer one. But if you have done all the above and still can't decide, my advice is the same: Go for it! Pick one, chances are you will do well at either one, so don't sweat it. College is a great time, and wherever you go you will learn and meet cool people. Again I say: Go for it!

As I've learned this past year and a half, finding a place to fit in isn't always easy. Some places look more appealing to some due to social, political, or academic differences. I went into college without thinking of it would make anyone else feel besides myself. As selfish as it may sound, you need to pick the right college that you feel the most comfortable at. You definitely need to take a tour of all the campuses you are interested to truly get a feel of where you belong. Take a look at the extra-cirriculars as well. Yes, college is about learning and eventually finding a career. However, as I've discovered within this past year and a half, it is also about finding yourself. I've learned more about myself this past year than I have through all of high school. Make the decision of what college to go to your own decision and no one else's. That way, you will live without regrets. I have learned that is extremely important in life. Live without regrets.

Be open minded.

I was advised to not pick a school just for its major. Chances are, you are going to change your major at least 3 times thinking, "Oh, I am going to major in business!" or, "Oh, nevermind! I like art history more!" and then "But I really loved that biology class!" Expect to change majors and don't be discouraged by it. Just because someone chooses a major, doesn't mean that he or she has every problem solved. Find something that you truly love and something that you could spend hours talking about it because of your excitement! This is hard to do, but it come eventually. Also, remember, that transistions take time. Leaving home may be hard for some, but if you put yourself out there and give it time to become home, then you will soon find that you will be calling college "home." Most importantly, this is about YOU! Not your parent's wishes or Grandfather's tradition. Take advantage of this time to try everything at least once and approach everything with an open mind. Have fun! You are only in college once! (And trust me, when you leave, you want back!)