Midwestern State University Top Questions

College life is not about partying. College is about focusing on your school work because now you are having to pay to continue your education and you want to make the grades to stay in school and qualify for special honors such as the deans list or even receive scholarships to help pay for your education. You are going to want to strive to do as best you can in all your classes, you should strive to receive a 4.0 GPA not just passing your classes. If you succeed in obtaining a 4.0, you will be motivated to keep it that way and to stay concentrated on classes. You do not want be distracted by some of the new things you will encounter at college, because you are away from your parents and on your own making your own decisions without your parents guidance or rules. You have to become responsible for yourself and your well being. You do not want to be distracted so much that you end up being put on academic probation or even getting expelled. You can still have fun at college just be sure that you maintain your focus on school above everything.

High school was thought to be a time of discovering yourself. I wish I could have warned myself that the process exceeds high school by several years. Not until you're out on your own and truelly forced to make decisions do you begin to recognize who you are, and even then it's a long process. As a girl a common theme of my senior year was wanting to get to college where guys were mature! As much as I'd hoped that there was some kind of magical time between high school graduation and the first day on campus it has not occured. Boys are still as silly as ever. And last but easily the single most important thing I would have beat into my thick head my senior year, is that I can make all the plans I want to for my life but I won't be completely satisfied until I give God control of my future. Allowing Him to take control removes so many of the burdens of college. I am able to focus on my education and trust Him to provide the way and work out the details.

Study more, and ask for more help.

Start looking early, into both colleges and financial aid. The best way to enjoy your college experience is to get everything situated early so that you can make the most of the time you have. Don't think that you won't be able to succeed academically unless you don't have a social life. The best thing to do in order to keep sane is to find a proper balance of studying and having fun. Never over exert yourself and never procrastinate.

Every school parties - get used to it. Let your parenting take it course and see if your child can fly on their own. Don't call everyday. If your child calls you everyday, something must be wrong. They know the difference between right and wrong so trust them to make adult decisions because they are your little adults now :)

If you're about to enter college, first of all, welcome to a new chapter of your life. The experiences and lessons you learn over the next four years or so are not going to be limited to a classroom, and keep that in mind when choosing your school. The right college for you is the place you feel at home on your first visit, the place where the student knows he or she will be able to start off their lives on their own. Your new "home" may not be the same as your best friend's because everyone has their own future, and that's where your college is meant to take you. Choose your school simply off of where you know your going to be able to recieve the best education possible for yourself. For some, a smaller school with a more personal setting will set them farther in life than an ivy league university would. Don't make your decision off of what rankings and society's preconcieved ideas tell you, for the decision is too important to be based off anything but your own needs. Good luck in finding your new home!

Find some place that you can get out from under your parents roof but close enough to go home every now and again. Also find something affordable and a place that you think you would enjoy. If you don't balance fun with study you wont find a good place anywhere and will suffer through your college career.

I think when finding and picking the college that will best fit the student is to keep mind of the degree they are wanting to get. Don't go to a college just because it is cool or your friends are going there, go because it will best benefit you in the long run. Look at the campus before deciding and try and get a current students perspective of the overall campus. The main thing is how it will work out for the student in the long run. I came to Midwestern strictly for the Radiology program knowing no one. I left everyone I was close to back home which isn't far away but still I knew no one. In return I have made amazing new friends and working for a great career too.

The best advice I could give any parent or student is visit the colleges they want to attend. A person can not truly judge a college based off pictures or the website. A personal visit will tell a person so much more as to whether they believe that college is a good choice for them. Fill out schlarships and apply for financial aid. As for the student, in order to make the most of the college experience I would say to keep this in mind. "Work hard and play hard." College isn't just about going to class and getting good grades, but it is also about the experience you receive outside of the classroom that will make an impact on your life. Parents, make your child live in the dorm their freshman year. Living in the dorms are part of the college experience. Most students will not want to live in the dorm, but this is the time where they will be able to meet the most people and make so many college memories. My last bit of advice would be to get involved with your school and community--clubs, organizations, recreational sports, and volunteer work. Study hard!!

Finding the right college for you is about finding one that is convenient in location as well as the schooling that it provides. You would want to make sure that the major you are interested in is offered at the school. Location is important, if you are a parent you would like one close to home so you are still able to be with your family as much as possible. As a student, choosing a location that you feel is right for you whether it is far from home or located within the same town that you grew up. Choosing the right college will make your learning experience as pleasurable as possible with all of the conveniences for you.