Eastern Illinois University Top Questions

Let your child make their own decisions. What they decide is best for them.

I would suggest looking at the cirriculum and seeing if it fits you and what you want to do with yourself. I would suggest going to a community college first if you are uncertain of what you want to do. Get active and involved in as many ways as you can, and don't be so worried about your grades that you are afraid to leave your dorm room. You just have to study hard, but you can have fun too. Choose the college more based on where it can take you and what you can do than on other things. Also pay attention to the way that the instructors act. They will be important in helping you through your college career.

First of all, get out there and start looking at colleges. Visiting a campus and getting a feel for it is very important because it will be the place in which you will go for the upcoming years of your life. Make sure you feel comfortable with the campus and surrounding area and especially the people of the university. As for the college experience, make sure you have a good fun experience but make sure to never forget why you are there. It is your future career and you should never lose sight of your goals and aspirations. Keep your eye on the prize is something that my family always tells me and I want to pass that along to anybody thinking of going to college or even current students who feel that they are not going anywhere with their life. This truly is a life changing experience and I have no regerets of my choice.

When it comes to looking for a school, the most important thing is to talk to the students who already go there. Their satisfaction will be the best predictor of your college experience because they are under no obligation to get you to go there. Even though academic reputation is important, it is not everything. In the end, you'll get out what you put in, so it's more important to find an institution that you will be comfortable in. As far as making the most of your college experience, (1) get involved, and (2) get to know your professors and other faculty. By getting involved, you will not only immerse yourself in groups of great people with whom you'll become friends, but you'll also be more invested in your university, which will push you toward excellence. Getting to know your teachers is also incredibly important because they are the ones who ultimately control your academic satisfaction. By forming relationships with them, they will see that you care about what you are doing and will be willing to help you if ever you need it.

Go on as many college visits as possible so that you are able to see what school fits you the best. Dont choose a school based off of things someone else has told you. You must find out information about the school on your own so you are able to make your own judgement. When you arrive to a campus ask yourself this question, "Can I see myself living here for the next 4 or 5 years?" Lastly make sure there are things around tound you can get into other than the campus life.

The advice I would give is to apply to many schools, even to ones you think you won't get into. Make sure the school you go to is somewhere you want to go and not somewhere your parents are telling you to go. Also, take as much time as you need to pick out a major; it is something YOU will be doing for the rest of your life, not your parents. Do what makes you happy because it is your life. MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

Visit the schools you're looking at. A chance to picture yourself on that campus may be the experience you need to make a decision.

Think about what you want your future to look like. Think about what type of classes you like to participate in: whether you are a visual learner or a student who needs to participate to learn. Consider class sizes and content matter. When living on campus, one should consider the type of people they want to be around. Get involved in extra-curricular activities. College schedules are much different than high school: there is a good deal of down time. It is a good idea to get involved because it keeps you active, as well as introducing you to new people. Getting involved also looks good on a resume, so if you are looking to find a job after you graduate (which is everyone) extra-curricular activities appeal to those people hiring. Remember that this is the time in your life where you are experiencing things you never have before. It is an immense growing period, and what you look like when you first enter college is not what you will look like when you leave it.

A student should not be afraid to ask questions. When they go to visit the school ask questions even if you think they are strange. Don't just visit a school once, if possible go at least twice before orientation. Don't let that be the first time you step on the campus. Once you know where you are going, don't forget to make connections to your professors and other people on camppus. Those connections will help you greatly in the future!

Make sure you know how your child/ student will react to the switch and increase in resposibility. Know you limits. Find a college that works for you.