Jennifer
Try not to work if possible, but if you do only work 20 hours per week. Focus more on school then working!! Parents be as supportive as you can be, remember this is the time for your child to shine.
Tim
Do what you want to do. Be who you want to be. Go where you want to go. It's your life and it doesn't last forever.
Zachary
Visit as many schools as possible, apply for numerous scholarships and avoid situations that will make you unhappy.
Nicolas
As you apply to college make sure to visit them and talk to other students that can provide you with information about the kind of things they do on campus, clubs, parties, etc. Also you might want to spend a couple of days as close as you can to the campus so you can have an idea of what you are going to be living, take your time taking this decicion it will be very important you enjoy youself while in school for the next four years.
Yvelisse
Visit and explore the school before making a decision.
Denys
My personal experience reminds me that the college I am attending has to certain extent changed my views, likes and dislikes, and helped me to develop stronger personality. If you are high school graduate and are not quite determined about your future career or not sure which secondary institution to pick, I will bring a couple of points which, I hope, would help you to make a right decision .
- Firstly, I would encourage you to pick a college/university which is by far more challenging than many of those around your area. Thus you accumulate much more knowledge and skills than while attending "easy-going" schools; most likely you will struggle for about a semester, and it's going to be somewhat tough, but the fruits of your labor, to which you are going to accomodate shortly, will offer you plenty of success and benefit in your life and academic achievement.
- Secondly, hard conditions bring people together. I mean it. Such, you won't be left alone to do the work, instead - you'll feel yourself as a member of a group where everybody is willing to contribute their effort and time to reach common goals in college and friendship.
lai
Narrow down any intended major areas, and search for college that has the best environment for schooling. Also, visit colleges to obtain some understandings about the environment, students life and classroom lectures. I would strongly suggest student to meet with the college counselor beforehand and attain to speak to the specific counselor each semester.
Christopher
College is a wonderful time to explore yourself. You will be immersed in a new setting, with new people who have different ideals and opinions than you do. Ignorance won't get you very far in life, so listen to these new opinions and consider them. The academic process can be overwhelming; be prepared to work very hard and to be disappointed with some of your grades. Learning to cope with these disappointments will help you to become resilient, a quality that will serve you well in life.
You should attend a campus that will nurture your self-exploration and your academic style. Yet it's much better to attend a college that fulfills your personal needs as a human being, than one that simply has a reputation for academic success. Your academic fulfillment will depend much more upon your individual professors than on the college's name. Take this time for yourself; explore something new in a city where you have always wanted to live. College life is not confined to campus.
You will find, once you graduate, that there are similar disappointments
Elizabeth
My advice for choosing a college is that there is no "right" college, only one that is best for you. This is a very individualized process. What do you value and in what order? How much do you value location, cost, quality of education, the social scene, and the availability of recreational activities, if at all? What else do you value and what are you searching for? These questions are not as easy as they seem, but once you find your answers, don't hold back. In other words don't choose to not apply to what you think is an ideal college for you just because others tell you that you won't get it. You'd be surprised at what some colleges are looking for and what determines their ultimate decision so don't give up without a fight. If you don't get into your "dream" college don't despair, but make the best of the choices you do have and where you finally choose to go. Overall keep in mind that it is not the college, but the people within the college that enrich your life and make your college experience unique. The choice is yours.
Jennifer
I do not recommend basing your choice of an institution upon pedigree, i.e., name and public perception. You should select the place that is most comfortable in terms of demographics and the quality of the education that you believe that you can receive. The demographics of the student body and faculty should be a top selection criterion because it shows how comfortable you will be at the institution. If you are not comfortable there, it will be reflected in your academic performance. The faculty forms a perception of who they are teaching based upon demographics. They are keenly aware that they are educating the next leaders of the world, or the low-income population who will change the world, or the next social servants ? whatever the case may be. Choose the institution that you think will help you develop your character. The academic quality will typically follow from this. Take a look at the school?s mission. And, if possible, inquire about the experiences of the students that are actually attending the school of choice. The integrity of the social environment and the qualities that you as an individual can bring to bear upon your education are most valuable.