Northern Arizona University Top Questions

I think the biggest advice that I would give to parents and students trying to find the right college is to pick a school that you feel at home at. At NAU, I feel very much at home, and I love spending my time here. To make the most out of your college experience, I would suggest just being involved. Join clubs, a sorority or fraternity, and study groups. These are great ways to meet new friends and will also help you find what your niche is.

Advice I would give to students is to choose the college that fits what they want to do. Not a school in a city that they like, or because its by the beach, or whatever their love for that city may be. Really focus on the school and what it has to offer you. If you just choose a school your friend is going to go or a city you like, you might get there and totally hate it. I would really encourage students to leave their home town and go out of state. It allows you to get away from your parents and learn the responsibility of living on your own, and you will meet so many new people. Check into the school programs as well so you can get involved in the school. Advice for parents I would say help your student and encourage them but do not make the decision for them. College is a wonderful experience if both of you work together to find what is best for your student, and we all know thats what a parent wants most for their son or daughter.

In order to find the right college and campus for the student would be to visit the many different campuses that are out there and that the student is interested in. By visiting the many different campuses one will be able to get a feel for what the campus has to offer with its surroundings. The atmosphere and its surroundings play a big part in making the most out of the college experience. Attending college classes if the professor allows it, is also a good way to finding the right college. By sitting in a college class, it will give the sudent a feel for what the classes may be like and how big the class sizes are as well. And its also a good experience, besides the usual campus tours. In makin the most of the college experience, it is a good thing to take classes/electives that interest the student and that are outside of their major. Joining clubs is also a good thing to do, becuase besides that college experience, one will also meet new people and new friends that share the same interests. Studying abroad for a semester or year is also a good experience.

Don't let your parents be too controlling about it, absorb their input and advice but when it comes time to apply and make decisions, just follow your heart and go where YOU think will be best for YOU. Have fun at college, be outgoing and meet new people, but remember, the main reason you are at college is to get a degree! Become organized and learn how to plan ahead and you will be fine. The faster you get out of your shell and meet people, the better your experience will be and you will not get as home-sick. I got slightly home-sick because I am from Hawai'i and went to school in Arizona but I learned to make friends fast, focus in the classroom and enjoy the outdoors which all led to an awesome freshman year at college and cast away and home-sickness. Goodluck with your college experience!

When students are looking for the college that suits them best, they should look for schools that mesh with their own ideals. For example, if a student is a very religious, they might be more interested in a private school that is associated with their church or beliefs. By narrowing the selection through their own personal criteria, there is a greater chance that the student will feel more connected to their school, their peers, their professors, and the community around the school. Likewise, if a student wishes to become an artist, they should look at schools with a more artistic reputation, or stronger art programs, rather than one with a business/technical reputation. This also ensures being immersed in a community of like-minded students, that they will be able to relate to, and learn from. Another aspect to consider is extra-curricular activities. Many of these activities are geared to enhance the learning that goes on in the classroom, and some are as close as being within the dormitory life. These programs bring students together to have fun and learn at the same time. These are just a few ways to ensure a rewarding experience in college.

Visiting a college/university campus in person is one of the best ways to determine if it is the right fit for the student (and the family). This provides the student with the opportunity to determine if he/she likes the climate, physical topography, environment (socially, academically, and physically), services that are provided, classrooms, outdoor and indoor facilities for extracurriculars and physical activities, dining halls, residence halls, etc. of the campus. Taking tours of the campus are an excellent way to get an overall feel and to learn more about college/university offerings. Talking with students, professors, and advisors are also a great method to determine if the college/university caters to the student and meets the student's needs. My biggest piece of advice that I offer to incoming students is to become involved. The environment or degree of involvement is entirely their choice. If there is not a club or organization that suits their needs or interests, create one! Universities foster education through extracurricular activities and outside of the classroom experiences. By becoming involved, students develop friendships, make long-lasting connections, and conceive ideas that may change their futures and their lives. These are all growing opportunities.

Compromise with your parents on choices and consider cost. Don't base your decision on a campus tour.

As I have grown up, I have always been told that I will go ?find myself? in my perfect college. However, I have discovered that, while in my first year of college, the most important rule of searching for the perfect college is this: you do not go to ?find? yourself; you go to ?create? yourself. When searching for your perfect school, take into interest the aspects that will create you, not simply let you loose to find yourself. College is an intimidating new chapter. But if you take the appropriate steps to get into a college that will build you, construct you, and erect the person you want to be, college will not simply be another chapter, it will be a new foundation to whatever you want to be. The reason why I chose my college and why I have been able to thrive so successfully is because of the enriching environment I knew this college could provide for me. The campus is my second home, the teachers have become my mentors, and my grades reflect my happiness and satisfaction in my work. I love my college choice because it has helped me create who I am today.

Honestly, the best part about going to college is that it is really a place where you get to explore a new life, independence, and responsibility. Pick a place that you think that you will be able to accomplish those tasks among your own goals. Networking and making friends is going to be about the same everywhere. College is a very open minded place and finding a group of great people to hang out with is easier than you would think. Keep in mind whether you want to go far away or stay close to home and also what the bet fit for your major is.

Start out at a junior college! Even if you have the money, it'll give your child a chance to earn some credits and transfer in some prerequisities where the grades "don't matter." At the same time, they can transition from high school to college without jumping off the cliff to independence. Don't hand everything to them--all my friends who flunked out were usually hand fed by their parents and never had to work for their spending money. A part-time job can easily be balanced and show a student how to balance the real world and academics and social desires.