Indiana University-Bloomington Top Questions

The first thing someone needs to do in selecting a college is to pick the University that has the program you want to pursue. It never makes sense when a prospective student chooses a school based on whether or not their friends are going. Choosing the right univeristy is extremely important. Not only will you spend the next four or more years there, it is where you will cultivate your knowledge, experience and people skills. A university is not just a school but also a home. Once your ideal college is chosen, new students should enter with an open mind. Colleges such as Indiana University have so much to offer to the students. If a student does not open up nor want to get involved with something new, then they are not getting the most out of their experiance. Although college is about getting a degree, it is also a place where students grow, learn and build relationships that will build a lifetime.

My one word of advice is, get involved. As a freshman it is easy to feel connected to the school you are attending because you are generally living on campus and provided with activities and programs to attend. However, as you continue your education it becomes harder to keep that connection alive. I found this out while living off-campus sophomore year. To change things up, junior year I became a Resident Assistant in the dorms and the president of our legal studies club. It was the best decision I ever made, because now, I have a greater appreciation for my school and the knowledge that I made a difference, even if it may be small, I made a difference at IU.

Do not base your college decision on where your friends go. Learn about the colleges that interest YOU. Find out everything there is to know. Visit all the colleges your interested in. Narrow your choices down to 2 or 3 and visit those schools again. Think of where you can see yourself for four years. Think about the campus, the other students, the activities, what their known for and what is important to you. If you make the right college choice for yourself, you will make friends that will last you a lifetime.

I would tell them to make sure to get a degree in something they love. If they just settle for any degree they will find themselves unhappy and possible have to go back to school to get the right degree. They should also try to get involved. I never did and I feel that really held me back in school.

To save money and start saving as soon as possible because college is expensive. Kids that go to college should be focused so they do not get into too much debt because they are drinking anf not working on school.

Most people worry too much about finding a college that fits them. The problem with this approach is that they don't take into account the fact that their college experience will, most likely, actively change who that person is. A person's college years are a time of self discovery and growth. This does not, however, mean that all experiences will be positive. In fact, many experiences may push students to their limits. Although that may not sound like a pleasurable experience, it can be extremely valuable to the process of "finding" one's self, and clarifying one's worldview. All in all, one should be much more concerned with having an open mind and being willing to consider new ideas - no matter which college they find themselves at.

Find one that has so much to offer: excellent teachers, a wide variety of extracurricular activities, the right class size, a reasonable price, etc. Whatever best meets your needs. Then take advantage of all this as much as you can. College will always be hard, but while you're there you should make the best of it. While studying is important and partying is fun, it is best to stay in the middle of either extreme for a fun college experience.

Apply to as many colleges that match your preference. Then visit these colleges to so that you can get a personal connection as to whether or not this is where you would like to be for the next four years. Depending on you situation, you may want to keep in mind the proximity of the school and whether or not it is an in-state school. This could greatly affect your decision merely based on cost. Talk to your relatives, friends, and even alumni as there experiences with the college they have chosen. Also, think of what the reputation is on the school towards the community and industry. If you are staying on campus for the first year, I would recommend staying in a dorm just to get the full college experience. Often times the people you meet there tend to be the friends you hang out with for years to come. The dorms however can be noisy and distractive so ask around from others as to what dorm may fit you best. Lasty, try to get involved with extra curricular activies as it will heighten your experience. Remember though to keep a good balance with your acadmeic work load.

Pick a school that fits you. Don't try to impress people with the name or even pick the top school in whatever field you want to do if that isn't where you are going to be happy. Visit the campus, do research, and make sure you pick the school that is right for you, while ignoring the costs. Try and imagine your dream school before you go out and look, and make sure it fits that mold; don't settle for less! These should be the best few years of your life, so don't waste them on a school that isn't right for you.

I would advise choosing a college that provides a number of opportunities for a student and does not have a lot of limits on what the student can choose from in regards to their career and majors. A lot of colleges and universities provide a wealth of resources and activities for students, and I would advise getting as involved as one can in the areas that the student is interested in. This helps students flourish and grow as adults and also provides a good networking tool.