Kansas State University Top Questions

First, I would probably say to room with someone whom I didn't know very well. I roomed with my best friend freshman year of college, and we hung out with each other rather than branching out. You need to make new friends and get involved, because your old friends might not stay at the same school for all four years. Choose the major that YOU want to do, not what others want for you. You can't go through college studying what your parents want you to study, or you'll just be miserable. I chose what I wanted to do, and even though it's hard, I'm loving it! Next, study...a lot! You don't have to miss out on your social life, but there has to be a balance! You have to remind yourself that this is your major and you need to be an expert in it! And last, but not least, have fun! Skip the wild parties and go to the lake, have movie nights, go out to eat, build relationships. Life is to be enjoyed, so when you get stressed, grab some friends and just hang out!

Get involved and standout. There are going to be plenty of opportunities to get involved on campus such as religious groups, dorm activities, leadership positions, and travel abroad. Many of these chances only come once and to miss one will be a great loss trust me I already missed some of these opportunities. Plus by getting involved is going to foster relationships with remarkable people like the dorm buddies you'll make in the future. If you keep the door closed on these chances in college you will never grow into the person you want to be when you get out. The last point I have is just standout. Just because everybody is looking to find a job on campus working for someone doesn't mean you have to. I've taken the risk to start my own dorm-based company that helps consult residents on dorm designing and dorm room layout. Don't stick with the norms break the mold and take risks that are going to define you as not only a future entrepreneur, but as a father and a husband. This is the best time in your life to help yourself by being yourself. Good luck man!

Most student are very anxious about choosing the 'perfect' college and major. The most important thing to keep in mind when you are completing your college search, is to choose a college that you think you can be happy attending. If the tuiton is sky high and the thought of taking out that many loans makes you feel sick, consider a different school. If you have no clue what you want to major in, choose a school that has plenty of possible options you would like. Last of all, visit the school (more than once!) and if you feel welcome like you are at home while you are there, it is a good sign! Come to school with an open and outgoing attitude and you will have a new close group of friends in days, if not hours. Don't be afraid to try new things, because there are so many opportunities to learn about your interests while you are in college! My advice to parents is even if you are willing to handle all the financial stuff for your child, DON'T! Let them pay for as much as they can, that way they will appreciate being there.

It is important, when choosing the right college, to, first and foremost, make sure that they have the programs that would benefit the student best and provide the most opportunities. Then, narrowing down that list by figuring out what environment you would like to be in: ranging from smaller, private colleges to large public colleges. Students should be careful of parents imposing their own views on the student and swaying their opinions. While parents provide great insight, students should decide where they would fit best for themselves. This is really decided after visiting the colleges that fit what the student is looking for. A back-up plan is always good in case other plans fall through. Applying to more than one college is great to keep options open. Many people end up changing colleges after a semester or a year, so the student should never feel trapped anywhere. Sometimes, trial and error are the only methods to learning what is right for a person. The student that is open to trying new and different things is the one that will have the most chances at finding the right place for them.

Find a college that offers all the things the student needs or wants.

Students- Don't follow your friends, or pick a school by what you hear. Make sure you visit the school and ask a few questions. Don't choose a school based on major either. Chances are, you will change it before you graduate. Parents- Don't pressure your student to attend a school because you went there or you think they have the best program for your student. Most likely they will change their major 3 or 4 times (I know I have) and if you go to a school that excells in one thing you are closing your options.

Start looking early, try to go for afordable but good colleges and plan for financial aid. Most important have fun.

The most important advice I have is to be financially prepared for college. I had very little savings and was not eligible for grants. I had scholarships that helped pay for tuition, but not enough money for living expenses. I worked sometimes up to 60 hours a week to pay for my living expenses and the rest of my educational needs, and this made it very hard to a) take more than 12 hours at a time and b)succeed in my classes. In turn, this meant it has taken me longer to graduate, which is costing me even more. If I had just had a little more savings, I might have been able to work less and focus on school more.

I would recommend that they research financial opportunities. Things such as attending community college for a year or to in order to get general education credits completed and think of housing options before leaving for college. Another thing I would recommend is that students socialize and take advantage of internships or student exchange opportunities.

I would suggest that you visit campus of schools you are considering on a day that works for you and your parents. Ask campus staff to schedule you to talk to people and colleges that you feel would be important for you to make your decision. Once you have made a decision and are a student experience all that you can. Take it all in and make the most of your time as a student both academically and within the campus community.