Roger
If I were to give a student a few words of advice for about college it would be, go far enough away from home to be your own person but close enough to remember your roots. I was brought up in a home where everything revolved around your upbringing, and after three years of college i have learned that all the teaching and providing your parents do for you it is nothing compared to the learning, from both success and failure, you recieve from independence. Many colleges have the same degree and when you get out all you have is a piece of paper, many the same just with different issuing colleges or universities, but the things you learn outside the classroom are just as important if not more to your overall success at life than those learned within. Go into something you're interested in but don't be affraid to explore and gain the full experience even if it takes more than the perfect four years. Many people take more than four years, its okay and is becoming almost the norm.
Stephen
I feel that everyone learns best in a different setting; perhaps the emphasis on such a choice should be influcenced more strongly on the applicability of institutions location. Personally, my high level of satisfaction comes from the small classes, extraordinary disability services and rural setting. For me, this is perfect, but not for everyone. Inorder for parents to decide which school to send there son or daughter to, they really have to look at there child and ask them selves a number of questions. Will they be mature enough to resist the pressures offered by such a setting when they need to study? Will they be comfortable, or feel out of place and lost on this campus? Are there unfamiliar dangers around that my son/daughter may not be able to avoid? If I send my child to this school, will the specifics of the school, in conjunction with my child predominant characteristics allow for success?
Pam
In finding the right college for yourself or your child, I'd think that it is very important to narrow down the field of interest (your major) right from the start. That way, it?s easier to get focused on the right colleges (the ones that have the best coursework in the chosen field). The sooner you know your major, the less time and money you will spend on classes that may not count for your degree.
The next important thing is to look for a college that has interesting class titles and descriptions. I have found that the more interesting the class title and the more detailed the class description is, the more interesting the subject and the better the instructor. I don?t know why that is but it is what I have found to be true.
Above all, don?t stress! If you did your best and still got a C, it really is going to be okay in the greater scheme of things. And, do EVERYTHING you can to make your college experience a fullfilling one. Socialize and try out the local life! It's important because it will make you a better, well-rounded individual.