Ben
Find something that suits you take campus visits ask questions! Its to your benefit, ask about the ratios of profs to students. Enjoy yourself, dont over burden your schedule. take a class because it sounds fun or because another student raved about the prof its something you'll only have the chance to do once so enjoy it.
Latefa
It will feel right when you are on your college visit. Check out their library, Resident halls, student union, and sucess center because if they are not right for you, you won't feel comfortable living the college students' life of work and play. Apply for financial aid! Have fun, make friends, live healthy, and ask for help when you need it. Always go to the college that fits your personality rather than choosing it for the material goods. Always ask questions.
Micah
Take a tour! The best way to find out if a college is right for you is to actually visit it. Talk to the professors that pertains to your major. There isn't a better way to find out.
Melissa
Don't be afraid to explore different possibilities. Be sure to visit each school you are interested in and ask as many questions as you have. Parents, let your student make the decision about where they want to go. Otherwise, the student may end up hating where they go and blame it all on you! Just don't be afraid to search and search and search some more until something feels right.
Elizabeth
Parents and students always wonder if they made the right decision with the college or university they have chosen. My first advice when making this important decision starts with making many visits to many different colleges or universities. Do not limit yourself to a few. When you visit, ask yourself how welcome you felt? How many people did you meet during your visit? I believe the more people that you meet, the more encouraging and entusiastic the faculty is at the school. Ask the school about their graduation and drop out rates. How many graduates find jobs right out of school and how much help does the school give the students to find these jobs? These questions are important to your success at a college or university. Did you get to visit a classroom and meet many professors? Check to see how involved students are around campus and get a list of different clubs and activities. My last advice would be take a chance! When you choose a new school you are starting fresh. Pick somewhere that gets you involved with the best academics. Do not sit back your first year. Start volunteering and meeting new people immediately.
Jimmy
I would tell parents' that its all about balance. As parents, you want your children to receive a stellar education that prepares them for a solid career while socialization may be a littler higher on your childs priority list than you'd like. Check out the town that the college is set in and see if it has stores that you may need or even restaraunts if you wanna change up from on campus food.
I would tell the students to really enjoy yourself and make the most of it, but do your homework. It's somewhat of a culture shock moving from high school to college and more times than not homework ends up on the back burner, I know I sound like a parent, but doing your homework helps so much on exams and professors see it as a sign you're trying and will often times bump your grade up a tiny bit in the end. Ultimately it comes down to acceptance and cost. The most important thing you can do is take a campus visit and even stay a night if possible.
Tamara
At Manchester, although it is important to be successful academically, the focus is on learning. The type of learning stressed is not particularly facts and figures, but cultural learning, social learning, learning about environmental responsibilities, learning how your actions affect the lives of others, learning through practice, learning how to challenge your beliefs, and most importantly, learning the danger of passive acceptance. The professors here challenge you to think for yourself, including searching out answers to your questions, going beyond the textbooks and digging deeper into the subject, and asking the opinions of others. Manchester College is a wonderful school but may not suit your individual needs. The point is, find a college that will challenge you to examine your thoughts, beliefs, and actions, instead of focusing on nothing but textbook material. Sit in on a class or two, and ask about learning experiences outside the classroom. Once you have chosen your college, take advantage of any learning experiences outside the classroom, including volunteering, cultural workshops, extra-curricular activities, and any outside guest speakers. Most of what you will take with you for the rest of your life will be from outside the classroom.