Brittany
Choose the college that seems to suit you best. Take the time to go to the college and explore. sit in on a few classes, observe a few professors. Get a feel for the college before you make a decision.
sarah
Live on campus, don't be afraid to ask questions, have fun but keep grades as first priority. Be sure not to carry a heavy work load as it will interfere with your studies.
Rebecca
Talk to the workers. They know how it really works.
Paul
I would ask the student what they are interested--what career path is most appealing to him or her. Finding a school with a strong department for the prososed field of study is important. I had to change schools to do what I wanted, and I couldn't be happier doing what I want at my new school. Secondly, what kind of campus is the student looking for? Does he or she prefer a small, quiet campus or a large, busy one? If you need to be around lots of diverse, interesting people a small school might not cut it and the student would just get bored with school. And a large school could be scary to someone that would prefer a more laid-back environment. To make the most out of the college experience, I would suggest that the student makes themselves available to potential friends. They shouldn't be afraid to approach people they think they could be friends with. Also, the student needs to remember to do his or her own thing...they should go to campus events they want to go, not ones that the "cool kids" are attending. And never give in to peer pressure.
Paul
make sure to visit the college and make sure you really like the school before you go there
Matt
Make sure you find the right size school for the student, one where they will not just be a number but an actual person, but big enough so they have many resources available.
Danielle
I would tell the parents, to let their kids go where they feel the most comfortable. If the student feels comfortable in their learning environment, they are more susceptible to focus on their studies.
Kathleen
Parents and students should consider doing lots of research and visiting each college together before making a decision.
Emily
Just go where you want to go, not where your friends go, not where the most people from you high school go. You meet so many more people and you become accustomed to new people once again!
Robert
The school name typically won't matter that much - it's the content of what you learn. Co-Op or Inter before you graduate! College teaches you how to learn stuff, take a test, and forget it so you can learn more. Interships and Co-Ops will give you EXPERIENCE! This is what employers will find beneficial. This will put yourself ahead of others. So what if you have a 4.0 with no experience. If you can get a 3.25 but have 1.5 years of on-the-job career experience with great references from previous employers, no one in their right mind will turn you down. Employers know what they are getting when you have experience. Just because you have a degree doesn't mean you know much about the work. All a degree means is that you know how to learn and supposedly know SOMETHING about the field. You will learn more with experience than you ever could learn in a classroom.