Northeastern State University Top Questions

To make most of your college experience you really need to balance school and your social life. School is always more important.

Every student needs something different out of their college experience. Knowing what the student needs is the best way to choose a college and maximize their experience. Some kids need to get far away, and some kids need to stay closer to home. Some kids may do better at a smaller school with smaller student-to teacher ratios, while others may prefer a larger campus with larger classes. Also, I am a strong advocate of living on-campus. It not only allows students to have experience living on their own, but it allows them to build close relationships with friends that also live on campus. I have several friends that are commuters, and I know that they do not enjoy or get as much out of their college experience as I do. Although money is often an issue, try not to make it the sole deciding factor.

Don't put all your hopes on going to one school.

For students, choose a college that will fit you, like a place that has variety that will give you a good education but has other alternatives if you change your degree plan. Don't go with what your parents want, do what you want because in the end, it will be you who will graduate with the degree and have that career, not them. Follow your heart and always do your best. Don't be scared to walk up and talk to someone and make a new friend. Put yourself out there and let yourself feel experiences that you've never felt before. College is a place for firsts, so make them memorable. For parents, don't be too hard on your child(ren). They need to make the decision, and you need to support them in any way and form. Be there for them, and guide them on the right path without steering them away from their dreams. Let them make mistakes and don't be too hard. They will eventually figure it all out and make you proud.

It is very important for a student to learn as much as they can about his or her's self before attending college. The earlier a student utilizes their talents and understands what can and will make them happy, the better. Family income, support and grades and majors are important, but ultimately it is the students choice, and that should be respected. So when choosing, it is important to keep the mind and spirit in context. Individuals choose to go to college for different reasons. It is important to weigh interest and ability with cost and location in choosing a school and/or major. The internet can be of great use when searching for the right school. Of course, a university's history and record of student achievements would be of importance. However, I have found that social networking websites can give an insider's scoop on what a college is really like. Students will disclose more unbiased information than the folks that are paid to get prospective students' interest. Still, reputation can be a deciding factor.

Live on-campus: This is one piece of advice every parent and student should take with them. I live off-campus, in fact I commute 40 minutes each day I have class. With my work schedule and living so far away, I'm not able to be involved in any extra-curricular activities. When my alarm clock doesn't go off and I have 30 minutes until my class starts, I am still late. Commuting is difficult in many aspects. There is the weather, price of gas, the driving time, and being able to be flexible with making your schedule. They don't always cancel class when it's snowing and they don't refund your gas money. Scheduling classes is especially hard when you have a job as well. To cut down on driving back and forth, I try to stick to only going to class two to three days a week; however that means to be full-time I am there all day, classes back-to-back. So when you're thinking about what university to choose, think about living on-campus, the distance from your family, what majors are offered, and what you can afford.

Don't limit you options. Do a lot of research and set up tours with prospective universities.

I think you should sit down and weight the pro's and con's of each college that you are excepted into. Talk to your friends and family members but most of all you should go and check out the colleges that you have applied for. And to make the most out of college make sure you study "dont ever cheat" it is not worth it for one you dont learn anything from it, and so you can do well in the future. Make sure you make friends they are easy to find all you have to do is say hi for starters no matter how shy you are I am shy and I still meet new people everday. Just go and have fun and study real hard.

Choose a school you feel comfortable with, and not particulary one that all you high school friends are going to to. I knew one person up at Northeastern, but could not be happier with my decision. I met friends there that will be my friends forever. For me, small class sizes and strong extral curricular activities werevery important. If was a way for me to keep my life balanced. Choose a college that will put you in a position to build friendships and succed. Do not let a large enrollment number or strentgh of the football team make your decision for you, that life is not for everyone. It is important to surround yourself with people of similar interests and a hunger for personal growth.

The best advice I could give is to be self-disciplined. Find reasons to complete your education that will motivate you when you are tired or have other things you would rather do than study or do homework. Don't go to college just because someone else wants you to. That is a waste of time and money; your own time and your parents or the governments money. Strive to excel in whatever you do even if you cannot see a reason for it right now. Take pride in all of your work and share what you have learned. By doing so, you will be able to complete your education in such a way that it will bring you a sense of pride that you will be able to take with you throughout your life.