Eastern Illinois University Top Questions

My advice to parents and/or students when researching colleges and finding one that is best suited for them is to listen to your heart. Even though my Dad wanted me to go to Eastern Illinois University, I am not happy here. Not by any means am I saying that it's a bad school, but it is just not the school that I wanted to go to. I am completely paying for my college education so I should be able to attend the school that I want (DePaul University). Besides following your heart, I would advise students/parents to look at the location of the school to make sure it is something that would keep the student involved and happy, do site visits and sleep overs at the college to see if you get along with the students there, research the college to make sure they have the firld that you want to get in to and that they have the appropriate resources, and also check if the accomodate special needs and if they have organizations that the student is interested in.

First off, tell their kids to go to class and get their homework done, thats most important. Next I'd say get involved on campus because that is the best way to make friends. In picking a school, that depends on the options the student has. If the student has a lot of money to spend and good grades then they can choose where they want, but if those two options arent available then the student has to look at the available schools and choose what feels right.

I would defintely tell parents and students to do their research. Talk to current students at the university to see what campus life is REALLY like. The books and websites do not tell you everything! Also, I would keep in mind certain factors such as how far away is the college from home, is there good public transportation systems, and is there a lot of jobs available. Students should also write out their expectations for college. Parents may also want to do the same thing. When looking at colleges, the expectations list should be brought along. The college that most closely matches the expectations list should be given serious preference above the other schools.

Pick a school that you feel in your gut is right. If there's something off about a certain school, dont go there, you won't be happy. If you have even the tiniest desire to go away to school, do it. Even if it is only for a year, do it just to see what it is like. You will be happy you did it even if you hated it. That way you took advantage of that opportunity when you had the chance.

I think that finding the right college is a very tedious process. My best advice would be visit as many as possible, and find the ones you were really drawn to. Make sure to apply to a couple and do not set your mind on just one in case it does not work out. Think about what kind of enviorment will suite you best, a smaller campus or a larger one. Colllege can be a wonderful experience and finding the right one will make it that much better.

Don't go to college just to party and drink alcohol. You can find friends at college who don't drink -- I did, and I am so glad I am not in the partying crowd. You can still have fun without partying. And even if you think paying attention in class is boring, deal with it and your outlet can be the extra activities. Get involved with something you are interested in, especially something that involves your major. I am a journalism major and am involved with radio and newspaper. I think that is the most important thing -- get involved with things that will help you when you graduate. And don't stress that much, the weekend is never far away. Parents, don't worry if your son/daughter doesn't call you as often as you like... it's time for them to break free. You should call them, though, if you haven't heard from them in a long time. And don't worry... this is a very exciting time in your son/daughter's life!

Pick a school that has your desired major or one that you think you might be leaning towards. Don't pick a school for being a party school, take a tour and go where you feel that you could be most comfortable and a place that you can one day call home since you live here 9 months out of the year. Keep in mind that being far away from home isn't for everyone, I like the happy medium... far enough so my parents aren't here every weekend and I learned to live on my own but close enough that I can go home when I need to! Good Luck!

Find a college that is the right size for you and has a programs that you are interested. I would start off with an undecided major because your major might change over time. Start off by taking gen eds and try to pick your major by second semester or first semester freshman year. Meet friends through dorms, apartments, jobs and get involeved!

Students really need to research a lot of different colleges that way they have lots of colleges to choose from. They need to make sure the choose the one that is best for them. They need to look at the size of the campus, size of classes , and the activities that they could possibly be involved with. Once they choose their school they need to go take a tour of it that way they can get a feel for the campus before they actually start school. Once school starts try to talk to as many people as you see during the first week. First impressions are very important, and you don't have a chance to make another one. Find out all the clubs and activities that the school offers and join as many as you can. You want to be involed with a club but make sure you are academically secure also. Your grades should come first, then your clubs, then a social life with friends. Just be yourself and don't let anyone try to convence you to do something that you don't want to be. Always be yourself, thats who you family and friends already like!

Making sure they have the right degree program and the student would feel comfortable by attending the prospective instiution.