McDaniel College Top Questions

As I would travel back in time to visit myself I would first motivate myself and congratulate myself for all the thingsI have done. Knowing what I know now about college after completing my first semester I would prep myself for what is to come. I would advise myself to begin planning and organizing my days well. I believe that this would be very beneficial to me as I moved on into transitioning to college life. Having your day planned out well will lead to managing your time and having your life under control. Being at college away form home will introduce you to many things and alotting time for everything you do will lead to wonderful grades and a healthy future.

Entering college is so exciting. The idea of meeting new people and having a whole new sense of freedom is exhilarating. My best advice for any incoming freshman is get involved. Whether that be joining a sorority or fraternity, a club that grabs your attention, or even a sports team make sure that you find something that peaks your interest. Finding your niche is so important. Joining a group gives you the opportunity to meet not only other incoming freshman but also upperclassmen who can guide you in your college experience. Once you find the perfect club or group to join it makes the college experience so much better. Don?t be the person who chooses to sit in their room and let the fun find them. That kid never has fun in college.

When choosing a college students fret too much about what a college has to offer to them. While this is an important aspect to think about, it's also important to think about what the student can offer to the campus. For me, it's what you make of the experience that will determine your happiness at a school. Becoming an active campus member, whether it be joining a club or just enjoying an activity your campus offers is perhaps the best way to become happy at a college. No school will be perfect in everyway, just remember to focus on the aspects most important to you and you will be satisfied with the decision you made. It is not a decision of life and death, if you're not happy you can always transfer. Just take every opportunity to get to know your college and it will give back to you ways you can't even imagine.

I would say to start early and visit the prospective schools. Stay a night in the area and walk around the campus. It is important to get a feel for a place that you will essentially be living in for about four years before deciding. Also, try and meet professors in an area you are interested in or current students. It is always a good thing to get feedback from faculty, but also from your peers. I would also say to not let money deter your interest away from one school or another. This is an experience and it will pay off in the end.

When beginning the college application process, one must first consider what size of college you want to attend and the location of the school that you may go to. If the high school class setting was the most beneficial for your learning, then a smaller college setting is right for you, while larger university's offer a larger and more flexible classroom style. Also, one must consider the prospect of being far away from home and even transportation options to and from college. One's financial situation is also important to consider and most importantly, your academic performance and community or social involvment in high school. The best advice that I can provide is to visit and tour potential colleges to see for yourself if you could fit in there. Once you're at college, involve yourself in the community to make the most of your college experience. Academics are what you have paid thousands of dollars to be there for and learning is obviously the most important priority of college life. However, do not be afraid to branch out and to join clubs and organizations of interest. Attend college activities and sporting events and make friends for life!

Everyone has to find the right fit for him or her. Going to a school just to please your parents is not going to be a worthwhile experience. Finding a school that has the right class sizes-whether it be a small lecture class of 15 at a private college or a huge lecture hall of 300 at public university, everyone has different learning styles that need to be met. Finding a school within a desirable distance from home is also key. Do you want to be able to go home every weekend or only on breaks? Can you handle being on the opposite coast? Do you want to go to a big city school or in a more rural setting? Are you into the arts? Science? Do you play sports? These are all important things to consider when choosing the right college for you, but you have to remember you are going to be the one sitting in the classroom and living in the dorms for four years of your life, you need to pick a school where you can image yourself being happy and being successful, not only in school but also in life.

I would visit multiple schools. It never hurts to see a variety of styles. It allows you to see what common themes and trends you like as well as those you dislike. I would also reccommend finding a way to talk to the average student. The students that are selected to speak to prospective students and parents are usually geared toward just one aspect of the college experience, such as the sciences, community service, athletics, etc. By breaking away from the volunteers and faculty selected speakers, I believe an entirely different layer is exposed. You find out the nitty gritty about the school, both good and bad. You get a glimpse of the college experience from the eyes and mind of someone who is more rounded and has possibly dabbled in more aspects of both academic and social life.

Visit as many colleges as you can and find the school that's the right size for your child.

To students, visit a variety of different colleges before you settle on a decision. Although you may think you know what type of college setting you want, the type that ends up fitting you may be something else entirely different. In order to decide on the right college, picture yourself being at each college you visit. There is no mathematical equation to figuring out the right college for you. It's the good feeling you get when you see the buildings and can imagine going to classes, you see the people and can see yourself fitting in with them, even when you can imagine enjoying a meal with new lifelong friends in the cafeteria. When you are on campus, the best way to make the most of the experience is to be open, and try new things. Join a club or two (maybe more), and meet the people in them! Talk to the people in your classes, and don't limit your social life to one group of people. Most importantly, parents: let your student take the lead. Trust that if you raised your children the right way, they will make the most of their college education.

Find the place that best suits you. It'll click when you find it trust me.