Marymount University Top Questions

Start early your college search. Pick the school that is right for you and that you know you will be happy with 4 years down the road. Pick the school that has lots of student activities and job opportunities available within the community. Your college experience is not all about studying and books, its about becoming independant, responsible, networking and starting your own life. Your college experience is your moment to make adjustments before you take off into the real world.

College can be a scary place, but if a student finds a college where they are comfortable and have access to support from their classmates and faculty, the college experience can be wonderful. Sometime we tend to stereotype the college experience as long hours at the library or crazy parties at a fraternity. College is so much more than that. The experience should teach a student to grow not only in their knowledge of a subject matter, but as a person. A good college is one that provides a student the oppourtunity to experience new things, learn about other cultures and beliefs, and to explore independence in prepararion for life and a career. . A university that provides safe and enjoyable outlets for a student to separate from their role as a child and learn how to be an adult will be the most successful in encouraging and fostering the growth of a student. The ideal college will be one that best fits the indevidual and provide the environment that a person can identify with and enjoy. To make the most of it, have fun, stay focused, and appreciate the oppourtunities that you have been given to grow as a person.

Be prepared for transition. For most students there are five phases seen in the first year of college. The first phase deals with a student?s honeymoon. Here students meet new friends and find that they have much more freedom then in high school. This leads to the second phase, the culture shock. This phase deals with students missing their high school friends, becoming homesick and realizing that midterms are coming. Students finally realize that college involves work. The third stage deals with the initial adjustment. Students here, usually in the third month, find their routine. This also coincides with the end of the semester and a sense of accomplishment is felt. The fourth phase deals with mental isolation. Here students find that they may not like their major or just do not like college. This is when most students, usually in the middle of the second semester, find college the most difficult. The final phase is the acceptance stage. The year is almost complete and the student now sees the university as a home. To sum it up, having parents and students recognizing this general outline of transitional issues helps both see that these types of issues are normal.

My advice to students is to find the college that best fit your lifestyles. An example of this is if you?re a person that likes the outdoors find a college that has plenty of outdoor activities and not a college that in the middle of a big city. One also has to remember that college is a fun learning experience and that you also have to have fun. Enjoy college it only comes around once.

Visit many schools and ask students who go there what they think. Use resources like these surveys to determine what the firsthand experience of the students who attend is.

Now that you have graduated it is time for you to venture out on your own and make some decisions for yourself. So, no matter what your parents tell you, the final decision is in your hands. This does not mean to not consider your parents insights but, it does mean to not let them (or anyone) pressure you into a decision. I have seen so many of my friends attend a college and study for a major that they have no interest in because of their parents attempts to live vicariously through them! Therefore, look around, be open-minded and weight all the possible options. It is your future and you do not want to look up 1-2 years from now discontent because you chose a university to please others and did not follow your heart.

My advice for students is to go with what your heart tells you. If it honestly tells you that you should go to school where your friends (one example) are going that may not be such a bad thing. I can tell you from experience, being alone at college while knowing no one is a miserable feeling and although your parents send you there to focus on your school work and do well, not having friends or even a social life with hamper your ability to grow as a person. Just keep in mind though, that it's a time to being to prepare for adulthood while still having fun as a kid, not yet pushed into the real world. My advice to parents is to listen to your children. You've already done college and it's their time to experience it. Don't force your opinions on them and make them do what you did or wish you had done. This is their time to experience life and this is a very important time in their lives. If you make all their decisions for them, what kind of adults will they be?

Students should choose a college that will cater to their interests and needs. You should never settle for second best. Choose the school that will offer the best job opportunities, and also consider the extra-curricular activities offered as well. In order to be a well-rounded person you need to be involved in a variety of activities, not only academics. Students should always work hard, because their success in college will help determine their success later in life. Drinking may be fun to some, but always remember to stay safe and make wise choices that you won't regret later down the road. One slip up could potentially ruin your academic career. Don't sweat the small things and try not to stress too much. Life is too short to worry about the little details. Work hard, keep in touch with your families, and have fun!

First, find colleges/univeristies that fulfill your future goals; this is the biggest step in finding where you want to put your money and time. After you find a campus that suits your requirements then worry about money and location. When it comes down to it, the college up the street might be inexpensive and close, but if it doesn't have your major its worthless. As a parent/student you want a campus thats lively and fun. For the most part, your going to be away 8-9 months out of the year, you don't want to be unhappy. The bottom line is take as much time deciding where you want to spend 2-4 years of your life because its one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make.