Jessica
College helps mold you to be the real you. It is important to place yourself in an environment that supports your values and beliefs. If a student wants to be surrounded by students who have the same values in life, attending a college with similar beliefs would be beneficial. IEstablish what one hopes to accomplish while at school and find a school that matches those goals. Three other things to consider are location, size, and tuition. Do you want to go to school close to home or far away? Do you want to go to a big orsmall school? Do you want to go to a school that offers a lot of financial aide or community college?
Do the best you can in your grades so the chances of getting the job at the location you want is more likely. Yet, do not let classes control your life. Meet people. Find good friends who are similar to you. Do not let friendships go to waste. College friends tend to be your "friends for life." Also, with those friends, have fun. Get involved in on campus activities such as sporting events. Support your school with school spirit. Enjoy your college days!
Sherri
Parents and students should decide what they want out of a college before looking at the options. A list of priorities could include things such as high-quality academics, athletics, focus on the community, food selection, housing possibilities, etc. Just as each person is different, each university or college will appeal to different individuals. If a student loves being surrounded by people, going to sports' events, and playing sports herself, then perhaps a larger college with an extensive athletics department would be a fit. There are thousands of colleges in America, and each is different. My first piece of advice is to determine what the student wants out of college and from their decide which insitute of higher education would best fit him.
How does a student make the most of the college experience? Be involved! Work diligently at the academics, but do not completely sacrifice a social life for academia. Attend sports events, join clubs, find a place to volunteer in the community. After college is completed, hopefully the student walks away with more than a diploma. College should be a place where students learn life skills and effective ways to serve others. Be involved in people's lives.
Brad
When I look back at my experience of choosing what college to attend, I can't help but laugh at how little thought I actually put into my decision. My parents both graduated from Cedarville University, and they had been trying to sell their alma mater to me since I was a small child. It worked for my older sister, who hesitated to choose Cedarville at first, but graduated with no regrets about her experience there. But I believe that my decision to attend CU was obvious for other reasons besides family tradition. I identify with my school--it's character, its mission, its outlook on education. As an academic, I found at Cedarville uncompromising standards and a curious community of students. As a Christian, I found an institution that is serious about practicing faith in original and productive ways. As a young person, I found a network of faculty that encouraged me to work to turn my ambitions into reality. I would encourage any prospective student not to ignore her mind's eye when researching what college to attend. Find a school that you can identify with, an environment where you feel you can thrive and pursue your goals.
Kristen
Carefully weigh the cost. A great education is imporant, but being a slave to your student loans is not worth the high price for a private school education. There is no shame in a state school education. Also- don't go to a school just because your parents did. You are not your parents, and what you want and what the school offer may not be the same thing.
Mike
Apply to a bunch of different schools. Don't expect any one thing going into your college education. You'll learn a lot, and some of it will be from books, wherever you go. The school itself is only part of the equation. 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of your experience is what you bring to the table.
Be willing to get out there and try new things. Don't go crazy; but don't stay in your dorm and do nothing. Get involved in a research study, intramural sports - do something. Studies aren't the half of what you'll learn at college.
Ben
College is a big deal, there is no denying that. But when it comes to choosing the right college, it sometimes just happens. There are hundreds of colleges out there, and if you lose your cool or start worrying that there is only one right answer for you, only one college that will be good for you, then you are fighting a losing battle. Instead, approach college like one of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books that led to different endings. You don't know the ending with whichever choice you make, but whichever adventure looks most appealing to you is likely a good choice.
When it comes to college, the only wrong choice is setting aside your dreams because of the obstacles before you. If you have dreams and aspirations, chase them, make them realities. When when you get to college, don't take as many classes as you can and still pass. You need to leave yourself time to process and evaluate. Don't burn yourself out so you can finish early. Leave time to enjoy life around you, and remain mentally intact so you can finish as a healthy and marketable individual.
Barry
I can tell you how to find te perfect school easily. First, find something you love to do and find a school that offers it as a degree. Second, look for a school that feels like home the first time you visit it. After all, You'll be there for four or more years. Third, Never stop making friends. That will make it even more enjoyable. Finaly, realize you're going to have hard time ocasionally. When they happen, its not the end of the world, simply pick yourself back up and keep going knowing that things will get better in time. Don't quit in those times or you'll never know what you missed out on. In short, live looking foward with the will to over come what ever comes you way. Then, not only will you get the most out of your college, but also the most out of life!
Courtney
Look at as many schools as you can so that you can get a feel for what is out there. Make sure and visit each campus overnight and get a real idea what it is like.
Crystal
When looking at a college, try to talk to some recent alumni or even seniors at the college. They will tell you how it really is at the school. Also, try to visit the campus so you can feel what the atmosphere is like, but make sure the school isn't just trying to put on a show for you. Lastly, see what kind of extracurricular activities the school has. That way you will be able to see if the school has some life, and you won't be bored out of your mind on the weekends. Overall, make sure you look at every aspect of the school not just if they have your major.
Hollis
it is not hard to find the right college. find one that has the major you are interested in but also has others to choose from just in case you change your mind. college is also fun no matter where you go, but remeber it is what you make it. just have fun when you go, don't stress about grades but also don't be a slacker. do the work that needs to be done but remeber to have fun to.