Indiana University-Bloomington Top Questions

What should every freshman at Indiana University-Bloomington know before they start?

Katherine

Finding the right college for you is a very important process and you need to make time to do it. Figure out if you want to be around a lot of people in a large campus, or if you like more one-on-one attention with a smaller university. Make sure to visit ech college you want to go to. Visiting is important because you may like the pictures but then once you are there it may be something slightly different than you expected. The most important thing is making time; time to visit, think, and talk to students who are already attending the college. Then once you get to the college of your choice, get involved! That is the best advice. There are so many clubs and extra-curricular activities at college. Get involved in things you enjoy doing to make friends outside of the classroom. There are so many opportunites that you should take advantage of. Good luck!

Lauren

A college experience involves not only the student, but the parent in many cases. However, it is important to remember that this is the student's journey into a new stage of independence and freedom. Always rememeber to let the student explore as many options as they want in order to find the right college fit whether big or small. Make sure to visit the campus and take the time to ask all the questions you can think of whether it be financial, academic, or social inquiries. In order to really take advantage of the college search, take your time on campus, researching the social environment, and meeting the students and professors. You want to find a place that fits all of your needs as well as those of your parents. School is about maturing and finding your independence in an environment where the individual is happy and satisified. So if you can take away one thing, it is to take your time and explore your options. If you don't apply or research you will never know what you missed out on.

Rose

Look for a school that focuses on diversity and education. A lot of schools are known for being a party school, but that doesn't necessarilly mean its a bad school. My university is definitely a party school, but still focuses a lot on research, education, diversity, and culture. Also, living in the dorms at least one year is probably the best decision you can make. You really learn to take care of yourself and make a lot more friends. And you have the opportunity to attending more events and get-togethers. Things you would never think of doing on your own!

Nicole

If you've found the college you truly love, then it's worth finding a way to get there. Find something you enjoy, because that's all that really matters. If you're not doing what you enjoy, then there's no point in spending the money to go to college. Just do what you love, and the rest will work itself out. Keep an open mind. College is never easy, but if you let yourself experience new things, then you may just find something you never expected. It could be the greatest time of your life, you just have to take yourself there. Your future is in your hands, get excited!

Raven

Make sure you are choosing a college based on what is best for the student and absolutely make sure that you visit the campus. The atmosphere that the student will find at the college is what they will have to live with for the next four years, so definitely make sure that they can picture theirself living there.

Laura

To find the right college, it is important to look at many options and carefully consider finances. I would tell parents and students to take their time looking at colleges. I lucked out after looking at two colleges but I should have looked around more. Also, weigh the costs very carefully. Think about how much you can afford and how much you are willing to pay back later before committing to a school. Some of my friends are bogged down with student loans and say they did not think about the impact these loans would have on them after they graduated. Once you've found the right college, it is important to make the most of your time there. Learn as much as you can from your professors. You are in a unique situation for the next four years in that you are taught by people with doctorates in their fields. Learn as much as you can from your friends. The social aspects of college are what makes people miss it when it is over. Get out there and meet people. Talk to people in your classes. Go to parties occasionally (not all the time though, you need to study).

Cameron

The very first thing I would tell students looking for a university to attend would be to look at the schools that offer the best programs, and degrees in your interested fields. Never ever just go to a school because your friends are going there or its away from home. At the end of your four years what matters really is that that piece of paper makes you as marketable as you possibly can be. There is something to be said about the experience of your time, but 4 years isn?t even 5 percent of your life. Do not let 5 percent dictate the rest of your life. On that note, you want to make your 4 years bearable. You need to pick a school that fits you both academically and socially. I would then tell parents to let their children have the largest say in where they attend, unless they need to intervene because their children are making a poor choice for reasons I have already mentioned.

Nick

If you can try to visit the colleges your interested in! Talk to professors and students ask them about how campus life is. Try to make a little vaction out of it. Obviously, the more you find out the easier your decision making will be! Get involved! Learn about capmus event and activities. Meet knew people make new friends. There are so many different people that if you put yourself out there you'll be able to find friends that will last a lifetime. Be smart! Work when you have to and relax when you have time. Everyone needs to have a good time!

William

For students: When considering colleges you need to know what is important to you. For some, size is very important, for others housing is important, and for others social life is very important, and if the school they end up attending doesn't meet their needs or desires they may be unhappy and end up struggling socially and academically and may end up transfering. The best thing to be both realistic and truthful to yourself in what what you would like to get out of your college experience. Finding the school that is right for you is a very personal thing, so don't let others influence or make a decision for you about where you want to go and it will make college a wonderful experience. For parents: Be supportive and understanding about where your student wants to go. As stressful as it may seem for you, your student is most likely more stressed about this life changing decision. If you listen to them, they will be happier with their choice and you may even learn something new about your child.

Roxanne

When choosing the right college you have to weigh out your options. You have to think about what kind of education you are looking for, location, expenses, and so on. To me I believe that it is important to find a good balance of all of these things. No matter what, make sure that you choose a school that you believe you will be happiest attending. If you go to an amazing school for academics but the social aspects are not good, you will most likely not find happiness. If you attend a school that is less expensive but is not academically up to par, you probably have less success later in life. There are always scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid if you are willing to look. When it comes to where you well be spending the beginning years of your adult life, choose wisely and always follow your heart.