Rachel
First of all, tour as many colleges or universities as possible. While you are touring them, don't just take the guided tour. Ask questions; No one ever does! If you see something that interests you along the way, ask questions about it or keep it as a mental note. Look for a college that most closely fits your academic future. Even if you don't know what you want to be while you are exploring the colleges, use your knowledge of your own likes and dislikes to answer that question. Search for a college that you feel comfortable at. After you have chosen a college, explore the different activites and events they have scheduled and plan to go to some of them. Make friends and have a good time. Don't skip class because it's hard to guess what the teachers had to say. Also, stay attentive during class. It helps a whole lot when you start studying for tests. Get to know your teachers because they are experts in what they teach and are very friendly people. It will make it easier for you when you need help. Don't forget to learn a lot; Have fun!
Jamie
Find what you truly want to do. Find a major that would make you want to attend classes. Find a campus that offers that major and makes you want to wake up every day knowing you made the best decision you could. Make sure what you are paying for is worth it in the end because these could be the best four years of your life. When attending college, get envolved, do the best you can do, and make it an experience that you will never forget or regret.
Kali
First off for parents I would say guide your son or daughter in their decision, but let them chose for themselves where they would like to go. I know going through the process of chosing a school can cause some tension between parents and students because of cost or distance, etc. Overall, it is important that the student truly enjoy the school they are attending, because then they are more apt to participate in both activities as well as their learning. For the students two main things come to mind. Number one being start saving early and fill out as many scholarship applications as possibl. School is expensive! I remember filling out scholarships, but once I got to college I realized I should have filled out more to help with expenses. The second suggestion: don't procrastinate. I know when people tell me not to procrastinate I kind of just wave it off. All of a sudden assignments that you've known about are due this week and you have to turn down a social life to cram your homework into your schedule. The longer homework waits the lower its quality which helps make or break your grade.
Sandra
In order to find the right college for today's world, it is important to remember that we live in a world that is filled with technology and technology related fields. So it is very important to find the college that can not only give the education and skills that train a person in their area of interest, but also one that will equip them for today's world. This is best done by finding an educational institution that incorporates today's technology into all facets of education, whether it is in business, education, medical, pre-law or any field of study.
Not only should the college fill this area by providing a quality education, but it should also provide students with an enriching social experience as well to round out their education, and provide them with an education that is not only academic, but socially and culturally stimulating as well.
Therefore, searching for the right college should be one that truly fills all areas of a person's life, and which enables them to grow and become part of the world that we now live in.
Amber
The advice I would give to future college students and parents is to research schools early; the earlier the better. I encourage you to look into at least three schools that interest you. You should look at each of these schools' websites, talk to college representatives, and visit each campus.
Many factors play a role in picking a college, but mainly you need to find out what is important to you. You should make a list in what you want out of a university. These questions should help: Do you want to pursue collegiate athletics? Do they have your major? Do you want to pursue or take part in fine arts? Is the school up to speed with technology? How affordable is your school? Is financial aid available? How big is too big? How small is too small? How far away is the school from your hometown? What is there to do for fun? Answering these questions are helpful in picking the right school.
Heather
Parents and students who are looking for the right college need to know that the right college is the one where they feel most at home. I would tell seniors looking for the right college, that once they step onto the right campus, they will know. They will feel the most welcome and comfortable on the campus that is right for them. To make the most out of the college experience, get involved. The more activities students are involved with the more friends they make and the happier they will be at college. If students are not happy on their campus they will be homesick all the time.
Daniel
The two biggest is thing I can say to anyone who is checking out schools are to one, make sure the school fits your personality, and two, don't go to a school just because that is where your friend is going. On the first point, I think finding a school that has activities and the right size of campus for your personality is important. I know I came from a small town, so I went to a smaller university and its worked out great so far. As for the second point, I've seen a lot of people go to a university that their friend picked and they didn't like it. This is not to say you can't do this, but I found it fun to venture out into a territoy where none of my friends were. Now when I get together with them at breaks in the school year, everybody has tons of stories to share and adds to the enjoyment of seeing them again. My only other advice is to be optimistic about whatever you do.
MarcCharles
Make sure your kids dont drink and mess up there lives. I've saw a lot of kids flunk out of classes and not try. Your kids will drink no matter what you think. I've been there done that, but to high schoolers coming in as freshman, they go WILD!! Its horrible but thats life and you should make you kid work fulltime so they apreciate the education they are getting before starting college. Been there done that.
Kate
That they need to schedule out their classes right away and decide what they want to do!