Fitchburg State University Top Questions

I would tell them that you should choose wisely. Thinking about college and actually attending college are two totally different things. College gives you alot of freedom and you should choose a school where their is not alot to interfer with your school work.

Visit the college before deciding that you will attend

BE considerate of the future. Many times students will choose a college and transfer within a year. The best feeling is when you finally get on campus and you are confident you have made the right decision.

The single most important peice of advice I can offer to someone starting college is to get involved on your campus! You may find yourself on a small rural campus of just a few thousand students, or a large campus in a big city, but no matter what, adjusting to a new place is a challenge. The absolute best thing you can do for yourself is to find campus-based groups that reflect your interests. Here, you will find like-minded people, and a place to belong. Most campuses offer a great assortment of these things. There are sororities and fraternities, sports teams and cliubs, religious organizations, and special interest groups... finding a place where you feel comfortable, and people with similar interests as you, will help you feel as thought you belong. You will find friends and peers to relate to, and gain the most out of your college career.

Start planning early for how you will pay for college. It's more expensive than you think. If you're bringing a vehicle to school, and will need that vehicle to get to work, make sure it's reliable. Buy your books on the internet, as the campus bookstore will have inflated prices with the exception of buying used books.

I would tell them to visit as many colleges as you like. Look them up on the Internet, thumb through college catalogs, and talk to students who already go there, but the most important thing to do, is find somewhere where you feel comfortable. When you are visiting a potential college, take one step onto the campus, and at that moment, you will know if it is right for you. It's like finding the perfect wedding dress or dream home. It's just something that you will know immediatley, before even going into any of the housing or buildings. Making the most of the college experience is again, whatever makes YOU comfortable. If you like sports, play them. If you want to study real hard and succeed with a 4.0, do it. Like to party? More conservative? Do whatever makes you happy. Don't feel like you need to conform to anything in order to have a great experience in college. College will help you find yourself, find friends you will have for life, and hopefully a career that you will be proud of! Wear your college sweatshirts with pride and just go for it!

Finding the right college or university can be challenging, especially if the student doesn?t know what he or she wants to major in. Some poignant advice I would pass onto prospective college students is to look everywhere and not just apply to one school. Find the school with the best surroundings, facilities, faculty and programs that best suit you. Every college and university will look at you as an individual and see the talents, personal attributes and achievements that will distinguish you from others. It is important to take advantage of every extracurricular and volunteer opportunity that comes your way. In college participate in as many extracurricular activities you can handle while always bringing a positive attitude. Having many jobs while in school can really bolster your resume and give you real-world work experience. College really is about making life-long connections; the friends you make in college could get you into a long lasting career after you graduate. That high school diamond in the rough will be cleaned up and polished into a bright shining adult that will enter the work world ready for anything.

First, I would say don't just go for the school with the big name. Then I would add that you should not let money keep you from the school you love. When looking, make sure to visit when courses are in session, a school might seem nice but the student body might not be the right choie for you.

factor in cleanliness and safety of environment first.

Finding the right college is really up to your own preferences. If you feel you would be better suited to a small school then thats where you should look. Most importantly, look into the programs that you are interested in. Find out which schools have the best programs, and which require internships. Find out which schools are respected by possible employers. For example, I knew quite a few people who were hired as teachers because the institution of Fitchburg State is highly respected.