Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

Let the student decide as much as possible. And never say never.

In order to find the right college one thing I suggest is to do research. Look through the college's website and read the mission statement and find out if it can provide what you want from a college. The biggest thing I can suggest though is to visit the college. Go with your gut feeling. If it doesn't "feel" right, then it won't be. You will realize what I mean when it happens. Making the most of a college experience is simple. Do the work that is assigned. I got horrible grades all throughout my academic career because I didn't do my work. Now I do and I get straight As. Completing what is asked of you is really the key to success. Also, with good time management, you will have more free time than you realize if you apply yourself to the work that is assigned.

What I have learned this last year is the importance of balance. In High School life is about exstremes weather its between the self imposed cliques or the school sponsored separation of AP kids, regular students and trouble students. But college isn't about that, college is about surpassing limitations. You can be more than just one thing when you get to college, you can party and be smart or you can be popular and a book worm. But the ability to do the the things that seemed contradictory in your younger years is balance. Its remembering that you can do it all, the limitations you thought where so important where imagined. Because the people you meet at college won't think of life as being just one way, they won't care if you listen to pop and punk or like literature as much as you like a good trashy romance novel. You just have to learn to balance it all, when its fine to go out and be crazy and when you need to stay home and have time to your self. In college you can do it all but you can do everything.

The key to finding the right college is knowing what you want to do with your life. When you know what that is, you must be passionate. If you aren't sure, don't worry. You can take gen-ed classes and dabble to see where your interest lie. I would suggest community college, if you have no clue. When choosing a school look at the desired major at that school. Are there internship opportunities; career placement opportunities; what is the success rate? At college apply yourself in the classroom and out. Network with fellow students and faculty. The faculty is very important for success because they are most likely working professionals depending on your school. They have much knowledge and can guide you in the right direction, or even land you a job. Students are also keen to helping you out in and out of school. If they get a job, they can reference you for an open position. Expand your social circle in college by staying active ; it could be rewarding in the longrun. Also try to get advanced in your major in order to meet upperclassmen who will be in the work force before you.

The best advice anyone could ever offer is that you should go to school for what you want to do in life. School is, afterall, training for the real world. You shouldn't let anybody talk you into what your future plans should be. You only live once, so go to school for what you want to do. Once you get to school, stay open to everything. College is all about new learning experiences, so stay open to new ideas and take in as much as you can. While it is true that your social life may hinder your learning at points, try to remember why you enrolled in the first place: to learn. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to gear you for a world where the pursuit of happiness and money are two very large factors, which is why you should keep your job goals in mind and make sure not to neglect your studies. College is expensive and regardless of your social background, you're paying for it. You might as well make the right choices on the matter.

As far as finding the right college for yourself or your child, one should definitely look ahead of time. Do not procastinate and settle for any school that accepts you. Luckily, though I did not have the best decision or support, I found a school that met my careers path; however, I started searching months prior to my high school graduation which is not something I would recommend. I would advise someone to search a year earlier or even earlier than that. Keep in mind that college is basically a place where you are paying to work and mold your success; unless you apply for scholarships. By doing so your college experience will not be filled with wonders of how you're going to pay for school, and instead you'll be able to focus on your school work and turning in your best because you were focused. At the same time, I can attest that its a very smart choice NOT to 'run with the crowd'. In college its easy to curtail your goals and future; unless you surround yourself with students that share your same dream. Thus my advise to anyone is to stay focused and determined.

Parents - don't push your child to make a choice. Students - follow your heart. go where you want to go. if you don't love the school don't go. it's one more stress you don't need to add to your life. Take your time when choosing. there are tons of schools and consider foreign schools. Look into your major and see what your school offers. if your unsure of whether or not you want to stay with your major when you begin attending school see what other majors are available and what classes you can carry over from one major to another. START LOOKING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS THE SECOND THAT YOU FINISH MAILING OUT APPLICATIONS TO YOUR SCHOOLS!!!!!! trust me you can never start too soon and by the time you've startedd you're way behind the game. every free moment you have log on to the internet and apply for any and every scholarship you qualify for. when you have a question about what school fits you best, talk to your teachers. your friends can suggest options but they're in over theri heads too. know that whatever decision you make it is the right decision.

When choosing a college I believe that it is really important to dig deep into what your school is all about. The values and atmosphere of an institution can play a vital role in a positive or negative experience. If the majority of professors and students hold a similar view of your values it makes a world of difference in creating a more positive attitude in yourself and in your work. Upon finding a right fit, maintaining an optomistic perspective about your chosen field and exploring it to all ends can give you a really positive academic experience. Don't fret when things get overwhelming. Take a break, don't take yourself too seriously. It is afterall, the first years away from home and family. Having fun and meeting new and different people is equally important to an overall good experience.

Do not rush the decision. I was forced to choose quickly and ended up depressed at a school I hated. After that, I spent a year between schools not really knowing what I wanted. Give your students time to decide- I definitly reccomend community college if you are in any way indesicive.

To parents I say, let your children live. We only get to live once and nows the time. Let your child experience life in a dorm, or even better (and a lot cheaper), let them experience apartment life. Make your child start paying for their own things before college. Let your child get used to the fact that they need to learn how to support themselves. Let them learn to be individuals now, so they aren't surprised later. To students I say, socialize. Socialize with your classmates, socialize with your advisor, and socialize with your professors. Network yourself to everybody. You never know who will help you find a great job opportunity. Start being an adult now. Don't depend on your parents to feed, clothe, and shelter you. You aren't a baby anymore. It is time to start paying for groceries and bills. Get a job, which goes along with being an adult. A job is a great way to make money to pay for bills or all the loans you've built up. The best advice I can give though, is to keep trying. You may get disheartened, but it is worth it to keep trying.