North Central College Top Questions

My biggest word of advice would be to not let someone make the decision for you. For the student, it is all about what college fits them best, not what college do they best fit in. The process is sometimes too focused on applying to top ten colleges in the nation, rather than emphasizing the fact that that school may not be the right one for the student. Ending up at the wrong school for you is very frustrating and so the process needs to be taken slowly. The one way that a student can make the most out of their college experience is to use it a s a learning and growing experience, and a time to become an adult. It pushes you to become your own parent and provider because you are in control of everything. Along with that, the people that you chose to surround yourself with will either make or break your experience. My motivation for making the most of my college experience is my future goal in life. You cannot slack and give up because this is the one time in one's life that means everything.

Be picky! If you don't love it keep looking. But also don't forget that just becuase you choose a college you have to stick with it for all 4 years. You aren't stuck. Get out and look around at lots of schools as a junior in highschool. The more schools you take a look at and the more students you can interact, the greater your confidence will be about your decision. Don't choose a school becuase of your boyfriend or girlfriend. Choose a college becuase you love it. Make sure your family agrees becuase they are your support system through life. Lastly, ENJOY EACH PART OF YOUR LIFE. Savor your memories of high school and of college and the rest of your life becuase each day is a gift. That's why it's called the present : )

To both parents and students, visit the colleges you are thinking about attending. One of the most important things is making sure the college is right for you. By visiting the college in person, you can get a feel of what the college will be like. To the parents of young students; Let your child decide. Set limits such as distance from home, or financial stability, but let your child have the last word. After all it is their future. For the student. This is one of the most important decisions of your life. Choose it wisely. Choose the college that makes your feel like you belong. The right college may not be the cheapest. The right college will not always have everything you need there. But the right college will make you happy and proud to be apart of it. The right college will make you never want to leave.

Students, try as many clubs and classes as you can, or you will never know if there was one that would have truly inspired you. Leave your dorm room door open. Your best friends will be the ones who come in asking for superglue and never leave. Don?t be afraid to initiate a friendship. Don?t be afraid to end it doesn't feel right. Don?t worry if an epiphany doesn?t appear the moment you step foot on campus. You will grow, but it will be a gradual process. Only when you look back, can you realize how far you?ve come. College is preparation for the future, for sure, but don?t get so caught up in what will be, that you can?t enjoy what is. Once you get out in the real world, you will look back and miss the games, the late night coffee runs, and the friends who lived no more than five minutes away. And finally, take pictures. You will be glad you did. Parents, learn to let go, and if your children come home with laundry, offer to do it. You have no idea how much it means to us.

Great facilities and location are both important, but it's really the people that make a great school. Talk to as many people as you can when visiting schools, get a feel for the overall atmosphere of the school.

In the end, you have to choose what you feel is right for you, what you want to accomplish, and where you are able to gain the most opportunities. There are thousands of colleges in the country that you can choose from, and some definitely resemble others and are expendable. When you visit a college however, and are walking around the campus with a smile on your face and have a gut feeling that you know this college is right for you is when you make your decision. It happened to me when I first looked at North Central College in Naperville, IL and I haven't looked back since. I have made lifelong friendships and connections that will stick with me for the rest of my life and that is what I hope every senior in high school achieves when attending college.

When looking for a college or university, I found that campus visits were the most important aspect. If the campus is small and empty on a visit, then when you attend, the college will most likely still be small and empty. Looking for a school that best fits your personality and style is crucial to a fulfilling college experience. If you want an active and friendly community, the best way to discover where that is would be to visit and immerse yourself in that community for a few days. After deciding on a college, be sure to get involved in campus activities. Whether student government, community service clubs, or some sort of leisure activities, campus activities allow you to express yourself and meet students outside of your major and classes. I have met my closest and best friends through the clubs that I have joined.

Some advice I would give to students searching for the right college would be the following: 1) Take the time to visit the campus. It is very helpful to see what is around the campus and see where you will be living. 2) Look at the size of the campus. Some people enjoy the small schools, and others enjoy the bigger schools. And lastly, 3) Academically, find a school that has your area of study. If you are undecided, it is important to see which school you think you can be the most successful. Advice I would give about making the most of your college experience is to have fun! Live on campus, enjoy meeting new people, and make lifetime friends, while you continue your education. The most important thing is to get your school work done, so you have time to enjoy life!

If you visit a school and it feels like home, it probably will be the best place to start your education.

I would make a point to not pick a school and only keep that school in mind. Widen your choices. When I was looking at schools, I thought I had found the perfect school and would hardly take any more into consideration, but when that school fell through, I realized that I had a problem. My school now is comfortable, and I am glad that I considered it, but because of my stubborness, I missed out on the one school I really wanted to attend. I would also add, that once in college, make friends. Everyone always thinks that they won't make any friends or that they won't fit in, however, if one doesn't assert themself, they will be eating alone, studying alone, and definitely not socializing. I thought I wouldn't find any friends, but I made great friends with the girls next door to me, who just so happened to be in band with me. Find someone with a common hobby or activity. This will help tremendously to make friends as well as keep oneself going through the toughest parts of adjusting to a new environment that we call college.