Tiffany
When parents and students are choosing a university to attend time should be taken out. I strongly suggest visiting the school and maybe even staying a weekend with a current student. Always take a look at the dormitories and the caf?(s). Do research on the department the student is applying for on campus. Students should also do research on how helpful the financial aid and student accounts departments are. Going through all these steps can be tedious but in the long run it is well worth it.
Devin
The most I can tell students about finding the right college is to alway visit the college you would like to go to. Once you get there and explore and maybe even peek in on some of the classes, if you can see yourself walking down its halls, sitting in the classrooms, or socializing with people then thats the college for you. If you can't imagine being there for four years then maybe there's another college out there waiting for you.
For art students, especially art students who went to art high schools such as I did, I would suggest that they give regular colleges a chance. I always wanted to go to art school, but I chose Howard because I never had the chance to see what other people in different non-art majors do or how we could work together. At a regular university you become exposed to so many different things and it opens your mind and heart to more than just the arts .
Ayla
Choosing a college can be difficult, but the one thing parents and students should keep in mind is that the atmosphere of the college is the key to the student's success. The student must be comfortable with their choice. The organizations, clubs, extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities and job opportunities contribute just as much to this atmosphere as campus safety, technology, and resources. A student must be able to know that their school will assist them in achieving their goals.
Every student excels in a different atmosphere. The task therein lies in finding the perfect atmosphere for the student to succeed. The student's personality will determine his perfect atmosphere. Taking a tour is the best way to explore the atmosphere of a college. If I had not taken a tour of my top college choices, I would have certainly chosen the wrong one.
In order to make the most of the college experience , the student should get involved with campus activities. It is an excellent way to create lifelong relationships and network which will certainly help further your career. Also working and learning from and with your peers can be very rewarding because you gain insight into various perspectives.
Courtney
Allow the child to choose their own school, parents don't make the choice for them. Don't keep reminding your child how much you are paying for them to attend their school of choice. Allow them to be a student without that pressure.
Martia
If I could advice to parents of prospective students, then I would tell them to make sure they visit the camous with their children and understand that this is a location where the students will spend their college life at so they should make sure their children are comfortable and in the end it is the choice of the students and not the parents. As for the students, I would advise them to do their research and do not simply choose a school as a result of the choices made by friends because it will be easier to make new friends and be in a comfortable enviornment than to just simple go somewhere that you do not totally agree with.
Alycia
I would tell students that they need to visit the school before you make a decision. Ask to see the inside of the dorms there and talk to some of the students and not just administration. Ask specific questions about the school and not just general questions. You also need to do your research about the college that you are interested in. Find out facts like how many companies come to recruit the students at the school and find out about which field you are trying to go into. To make the most of the college experience when you first get there you just need to be open to everything. Be open to meeting new people and listening to different ideas.
Kiara
Howard University is great for making the most of the college experience. It offers the educational aspect as well as the social aspect. The responsibility of the student is to find a balance between the two. Howard provides students the skills needed to succeed in this ever changing world. With the care of professors and support of fellow peers, students interested in attending this prestigous university will have a chance to accomplish their desired dreams.
Prospective students should understand that Howard University currently does not have the best equipment, but is working toward advancing these conditions. But overall, the opportunities here are limitless and the people you encounter are irreplaceable.
Sarah
To find the right college, I think that you should visit the school before you attend so that you'll be use to the campus. That way you get a feel of the environment, and the type of people that attend the school. To make the most of the college experience, I believe that you have to get out there and meet new people and get involved in school activities. I regret not being more involved this year or last year, because I have missed out on numerous friendships and possibilties. Also to make sure you make the most of the college experience, I believe that you have to make sure you keep up your grades, and try your best academically.
Tara
For the Parents: Try not to impose what school you like best on your child. Instead, give them names of schools that you feel that should consider or take a look at. In addition, let them know which schools you can financially afford, which will also help narrow their search.
Students: Make a list of all the things you want in a school, as this will help you narrow your search. When making a decision, go with what truly makes you happy, as this is the place that will help shape the rest of your life.
Andrea
The advice that my parents gave me was "Don't let anyone decide what's best for you, because only you know the answer to that." College is all about what you make it, you can only do so much, so it is in your best interest to make the most of it. Get involved and if you want to become a part of a sorority or fraternity don't join just because a friend of yours is doing the same. Do it because you want to. Don't give in to the peer pressure because if you give in once, you will keep giving in. Just because the school is giving you the most money, doesn't mean you like it. Once you get into the school you like fill out the scholarships and or even loans. You have to take the good with the bad when going to school, just make sure the good out weighs the bad. If the bad out weighs the good then maybe you are at the wrong school.