Ariane
Join as many clubs as possible.
Daniel
Dont be ashamed to ask for help from teachers and parents. Just be yourself and dont feel the need to explain your actions to anyone. Be yourself and be proud. Have fun wherever you are and with whoever you are with. Take time to flesh out ideas for papers, films, and future projects. Create a journal and stick with it so you can help yourself learn from past mistakes. Be financially responsible and take charge in taking advantage of scholarships, grants, and any job oppertunities. Most of all have a good time doing whatever it is you decide to persue as a career.
Manuel
The only thing I would emphisize to my past self would be to do a better job of saving money. Also to work on your self confidence and learn to believe in yourself, because you are smarter than you give yourself credit for.
Brittany
If I could go back and do anything differently, I would have started looking for financial aid a lot sooner than I did. Talking to my counselor in high school about other financial options and starting to explore financial options online and in libraries would have also helped me in the future. Saving money sooner and fully understanding how much college was actually going to cost would have helped me as well. I also would have paid more attention to my grades in high school and made sure I did the best that I could all four years, but especially my junior and senior years. Although I really enjoyed my first year at Columbia, I would have tried to make more connections with people who were a part of the school whether it be a student or faculty member and try to seek advice that they had that may have made my transition and first year more successful.
Casey
Making the transition from high school to college is tough. It is important to work hard on homework, show up to class on time and pay attention. School work and readings for class should take priority over your social life. Also, it is a good idea to take all general education classes at community college before transferring to a four-year college. This will save you a great deal of money. However, you should still take some courses towards your major so you do not lose your focus.
Budgeting is crucial, and using credit cards can be dangerous if you don't plan well or use them right. When you get a paycheck, first pay off any debts or bills. Then purchase necessities. If there is any money left over, put it into savings so you can treat yourself once every great while. My parents didn't teach me this, and ignoring bills can be every student's greatest mistake.
Lastly, make friends and be open during class. Offer to hold a study group at your place or the library, and keep your mind open so you can make new friends. The diversity of people at college is amazing.
Christie
For parents, encourage your children to pursue their passions and dreams. Sometimes it's easy to want them to do what's considered the most lucrative or prestigious, but will they be happy? Will they call you in tears, frustrated and say "I want to change my major." It's not the easiest thing to hear - ask my parents. Thankfully, they were encouraging like always, and it was the best decision I've ever made.
Which leads me to my advice or students. Unless you are 1000{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure of what you want to do, don't feel pressured by anyone to declare a major right away. Explore the cirriculum, try new things, and don't be afraid if you don't have it all figured out right away. Be encouraged, it's a transitional period for many of us, mistakes, failures - they happen. Be encouraged and don't give up because of that. Sometimes they'll lead you to what will make you happy.
Molly
I believe you need to look at the school as a whole. Does it offer the things you want and need? Do they offer the major of your choice? Are the dorms livable? What about the cost? Can you afford tution? There are a lot of questions to ask, most concerning the things you want in a school. I also believe that you have to visit a college before you can make a final decision whether that be after your accepted or while you're applying. If it feels right as you walk around the campus, you're on the right track. Look at the students. Does it look like you'll fit in? If not you may not have the best college experience availible to you. This is the next four years of your or your child's life. You should be happy with the school. Don't settle.
LaToya
I believe the first thing a parent and/or student need to do is find out what the person wants to do with their life. Ask yourself these questions: Do I want a career, a job, a certificate or a degree? Do you want to go to a technical school, trade school, private school, two year or four year school? Do you want to go away to school or stay in you local area? You need to weigh all of your options. Also another important aspect of the college or university experience is money. Do you have money saved up, have you applied for grants or scholarships or government assistance? Once you have narrowed these questions down you will be happy with the choices you have made.
From my experience, one of the ways to get most out of your college/university experience is to socialize. Actually read the schools program book and find out what clubs and different organizations you want to be involved with. Start to participate in community events and even develop a relationship with your professors in your field. I am sure they will steer you in the right direction.
Naomi
It's really important to visit the college and take a day or two exploring it on your own (without a guide). This way nobody is trying to sell you the school. You can take things in as you perceive them yourself. It's also important to try new things-- you may be from a college town and all of your friends may be attending that college, but college is really about meeting new people, pursuing a career, and finding out new things about yourself. While something local may seem easier and less of a hassle, college is generally a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you may as well try something new. You never know what you might discover abou the world and yourself once you break out of your shell.
Tatyanna
I would say first choose a school in an area in which you feel most comfortable in. Don't make the price of tuition the biggest part of your decision because there is a lot financial help available. Even if you are not sure of your major there is help for that also at whatever college you plan on attending. Once you find and get accepted to the school of your choice, remember that your ultimate goal for being in school is to pursue a higher education and to better yourself in life. If your are going far away to college, you will have a lot freedom, probably the most you ever had, but don't let that hinder your studies and just stay head-strong. I'd like to remember that no matter how you do in school, good or bad, you still have to pay back tons of money for student loans so it's best that you do your best and that it will pay you back in the end.