Indiana University-Bloomington Top Questions

When looking at colleges with your son or daughter make sure to visit them. Get a tour of the campus and make sure to ask students walking around about what they think of the school. Also I would suggest setting up a meeting with an advisor while on your visit to make sure that not only is your son or daughters degree there, but also that they will be able to graduate in four years and the job placement after graduation is high. Your son or daughter should get involved and do things that they would never normally do at the college they decide to attend. If that means seeing a play or going to a football game they should. I decided to take a class in fencing because I knew I would never in a lifetime be able to do something like that. Basically make sure that they are open to new experiences and opportunities.

I think the most important advice to picking a college is to go with the school that has the most appealing opportunities and offers the most interesting subjects. It's important to looks at all aspects like class descriptions and living arangements in the city and on campus. A student must be able to let loose and relax. It is easiest to make good friends when a student is natural and themselves. They should experience all the college has to offer, academically, vocationally, and the entertainment life.

I would suggest that parents stay involved in their childrens' lives, know what they are involved in, and encourage them to be involved in campus activities, stand up for what they believe in, and take advantage of any help sessions if they are struggling to get through classes. I would also suggest to bother parents and students that they should continually look for and apply for scholarships because college is expensive. One should go to college for an education and if they can get any financial assistance, it should be appreciated. It is hard to hear society talk about the need for a college education but know that it is not affordable to many families. Students need to research and visit as many colleges as possible, and they should apply to colleges based on their needs and focus and not because of friends or family pressuring them to go to a specific one. Students should take advantage of any orientaion offered at they beginning of the year to get to know the campus better. Students should also know that they should not be afraid to try new things, meet new people, and stand up for what they believe in.

Seek professional services outside of your high school to help find the university of best fit. Listen to friends and relatives more than relying on ranking institutions that tend to overexaggerate both positive and less than ideal aspects of particular universities. Speaking with employers in cities you'd like to work in to determine whether or not they recruit from your school of choice would be beneficial as well. With regards to making the most of your college experience...Study Abroad! I spent a semester in Sydney, Australia and it was the most amazing experience of my life. It was like I had a second chance at my freshman year. You learn things and mature throughout your first couple of years at an American university, and when you're ready to travel abroad for a semester of studies, you know what you're looking for and are ready to take full advantage of any opportunity that arises.

Don't limit yourself based upon your preconcieved notions of what you want college to be--always be open, and ready to accept whatever changes come your way. Don't go into college with a set major--experience everything, and let that help you decide whether or not your first impressions were the right ones.

Apply every where and visit as many colleges as you can before deciding. Take advantage of all the visitation activities that the schools offer, but also spend some time with other students. Observe a few classes, talk to students on campus, don't be afraid to ask them about their experiences. Parents, let you kids spend a night or weekend on campus by themselves, let them get a feel for the social life. As much as college is about education, a students social life will affect their attitude about the school and their time there. Never underestimate the power of beauty, being able to look at a beautiful campus every day can surprisingly lighten a persons mood and give them a boost of motivation. Try something new every week, a restaurant, store, class, guest lecture, campus social or sports event, a student performance, ect. Read the newspaper, both school and world. Attend group call out meetings, they give out free food. Buy books online. Don't let money be a deciding factor; there are plenty of options available for financial aid. A students college experience will determine the direction of the rest of their life, set them up for success.

For parents, I would encourage them to find the right college that will be supportive both financially and academically for their children. However, some parents will not have to worry about the financial aspect, it's just the academic aspect. However, do not go to a college that is a rip-off, make sure it adds up to the value of the education provided. Parents should also not be dominating and choosing their child's school for them. Make sure that your child will be comfortable at the school and listen to their reasoning of why they want to attend this particular college or university. By keeping an open mind and letting your child go to a reasonable school of their choice, this can affect their performance in school, leading to successful working individuals. I would encourage students to make the best out of their college career both socially and academically. Students should make wise decisions, and use time-management. If you need to be studying, rather than going out, then these sacrifices have to be made because at the end of your college experience, your grades matter. Take advantage of the career-related opportunities and campus involvement.

My advice for students is to determine the path you want to take early and stay focused on your goals. I have looked forward to this opportunity to attend a great college since I was a freshman in high school. I came to this college this year (my freshman year) with 32 college credit hours. I excelled in high school and took every opportunity to stretch out and take college courses. I had hoped for a scholarship given my excellent academic standing but that did not happen. If this does not happen for you, don't let it derail your plans. With the help of financial aid loans and my parents support by also getting loans for me, I was able to be here this year. If I can do this, so can you. My parents are helping not only me but my two siblings who also are in college right now and believe me it is not easy for any of us but we are making it happen and SO CAN YOU!

To find out if a school is right for you my advice would definately be to go visit different schools and connect with people from them so you can get a good idea of what it would be like. To make the most out of the college experience I encourage students to live on campus for their first two years and to have fun and connect with people but not to get too caught up with partying because it can be a major distraction. The best thing to keep in mind is how important your education is to you so you can focus on your priorities and know what sacrifices you'll have to make.

Financing college is a burden, but don't let that bog you down.