Eckerd College Top Questions

Dear Danielle, You know a lot about what's going to happen. College is college. There are classes, there's homework, there are on-campus jobs, there are wild parties and people. All of that's true. Here's some things I know I didn't consider. It's possible to do a Visual Arts and Creative Writing double major here. Okay, maybe you knew that, but what you don't know is how much of a pain in the ass it can be. There are schedule conflicts, not to mention writing and art require two different modes of thinking. It's fun at times, it's painful at times-what school experience isn't?-but in the end, you'll change your Art major to a minor. Save yourself the trouble and do this from the start. That way, you can take as many art classes as you want without worrying about requirements and schedule conflicts. Art is fun. That'll never change. Learning how to write well is stressful, and you don't need to worry about developing your own style for your Art major at the same time. Besides all that, you'll have fun. No, really.

When choosing your college, make sure you keep in mind your other friends from high school, because you will miss them, so if you worry about that, then don't go too far from home. Make sure your school has a nice quiet place to focus and study because thats all college homework is about. Get used to college, schools not over for you yet, if you want your degree you better learn to love what your doing or change it. Make the most of the nice people in college, if they are willing to be your friend, then expand your social horizon and become friends with that person and everyone else. Lastly, don't just choose the school because you love their sports team, seriously, unless you are playing the sport, then choose the school that best fits you academically.

Know what you are looking for and narrow down your search. Make sure the academic and social life needs are satisfied because both can be equally important in your childs happiness. Also make sure finances are not too tight so your student can experience college life to the fullest, such as, study abroad.

You have to walk on campus and make sure that you can picture yourself getting up every morning, walking to the cafeteria, going to class, and participating in campus activities. Also, do a lot of research on what you would like to study. Do not jump into a major without having some background knowledge via volunteering and highschool. Make sure they have teachers who can make time to work one on one with you.

Visit every school you wish to attend. If you don't like a campus, or the people around campus, then you probably won't want to go to that school. But you will never know the atmosphere of a school if you don't visit.

VISIT the school. The student should spend some time on the campus away from their parents to really experience the school. The school may be completely different when you are experiencing the school alone rather than with your parents. Get in contact with some current students at the schools you are looking at (facebook, myspace). Ask LOTS of questions, including questions about dorm life, food on campus, class difficulty, on campus activities, what to do off campus, and any other questions you come up with. Talk to the current students when you visit campus, they can give you a real student perspective of the school. When you get into college, make sure to balence your academic and social life. It is very important to make friends and enjoy yourself but also realize the importance of getting a good education while you are there. Utilize your professors to the fullest extent. They are there to help you succeed! Also try to experience places outside of your campus and make friends off campus.. Most importantly enjoy your time as a student, enlightening yourself and figuring out who you are, this very well may be the best time of your life!

Ask yourself if you want to become a number and get lost in a school or if you want to be known to the professors. This will help you decide what size school to attend . Then you need to look at their majors that they offer and make sure it has a wide variety just in case you change your mind or if your undecided going into college. Also you should look at the acticities the school offers such as sports and weekend get togethers. As a college student the only way to make the most of your experience you need to get out, make friends and go to games and activities.

Students need to pick the college that they feel is the best place for them. Somewhere that feels like home and you cans see yourself having the time of your life is the place you want to be. Check out the dorms, the food, the landscaping, the staff, faculty, and chat with people on campus beforehand to get a inkling of what a normal day would feel like. It is also very important to ask questions and learn the ropes so to speak. To make the most out of college life, you have to be yourself. Take the quote ?Be you, everyone else is taken? to heart. College is a time to find you out who you are and accomplish goals and dreams. Pretending to be someone else will not help you in the end. Join clubs and organizations talk with all different types of people from all over to experience something new. Leaving the past where it is and moving forward with your life is a great place to start making the journey.

Find a college with a good reputation for the field your child wants to go to.

Find a school that really makes you happy, that is the most important thing.