Michigan State University Top Questions

I would tell students to consider their options carefully, but don't look back or regret once you've made your college decision. Every school has tons of awesome opportunities, and no matter where you end up, college is what you make it. You can be as involved or as uninvolved as you want. Seek career opportunities, internships, interesting courses, and resume-building activities wherever you end up, and you definitely won't regret it. Take your classes seriously, because they're going to cost you a lot of money, but use your spare time to get involved and make friends! Meet with your advisors more than you think you need to; they can help you a lot. Do your homework even when the professor doesn't collect it. Just get as much as possible out of this time in your life, because you might never have so many opportunities and the freedom to take them again.

Finding the right college is about knowing yourself. For me, it wasn't just about the name of a college. MSU offered awesome courses in the field I was interested in and was close to home. Some of my friends from high school went there as well, but it was so big I knew I would meet new people and get to experience a culturally rich and academically sound college experience. When looking for the right college, you need to look at all the aspects the college has to offer. And don't be ashamed if your first choice is not the right choice, plenty of people change their mind after the first year. I love my college, and I know I made the right choice. Go Green!

I honestly think it is possible to find a home at any college. I would say that if you don't quite know what you want to do with your life yet (have an undecided major), go with a large school with lots of degree options because it makes it WAY easier to switch majors if you decide to do so. As for the college experience, the key is time management. The social part of college is just as important (possibly more important, in my case, as I was very shy in high school but not anymore) as the academic part. Try to participate in as much as you can; go to class, get a job for a few hours a week, join a club, make new friends and spend time with them. The combination of all of this is what made my first year of college the best year of my life.

Find a college that fits you for you, not because someone else says that it is great. Visit beforehand , stay in the dorms, eat the food, and go to classes if you can. Talk to the people you see--are they friendly? Would you see yourself becoming friends with anyone? Do they like their school? This is where you will be living for four or more years and these are the kind of people you will meet--make sure that it is the place for you and that you will enjoy yourself! Once you have made your choice and have moved in, get involved--through your dorm, your classes, and extracurricular activities! Leave your door open when you are in your room, this is a great way to meet new people on your floor. Sit with new people in the cafeteria if you do not know anyone. Participate in your classes--take notes, ask questions, meet the people around you and get their email--this is great if you miss class and need notes or the homework. Get involved on campus through clubs and take advantage of the activities set-up by the university. Finally, just be yourself!

Visit the campus of the school you are attending more than once so you can really get a sense of what it means to be a student there and if you feel like you would "fit in" there. Also, I would tell freshmen to really make an effort to make friends/ get involved in something. There is a lot of free time at college and if you are not involved in a job, club, etc. you will be bored most of the time.

Be open to new opportunities and try different things. You never know what you might like until you actually try it. Make the best of your college experience by taking advantage of opportunies. Be sure to maintain grades by having good time manangement skills.

make sure you don't choose your first one. get campus tours and make sure you like it before going there.

If you know what field you/your child is going to pursue, find a college that places emphasis on that program. If not, try to immerse yourself in the activities of nearby colleges and just try to figure out which one feels most like home; feeling at ease is the most important thing as you try to figure out who you are, and if you don't know what to pursue, it's a necessity to make a well thought out decision.

I would first say look at your finanical situation and see what is feesible there. I would then look at what the student is personally looking for in that college. If they are more extroverted then a bigger college, and vice versa. Probably the most important thing about the school you are going to is if they offer the program you are planning on entering, and how well are they known for that program. The reason you go to college is to get a degree so if possible you want to attend the college with the best notoriety for your course of study.

Make sure that you are able to focus. Dont go to a school for fun or just because all of your friends are going there.And make sure yoy plan ahead!