Bobby
I would just tell myself to try a little harder in the time leading up to college. I am, however, very pleased with the way everything turned out.
Olivia
As a freshman, I focused only on academic success. This mindset was not necessarily bad, except that I isolated myself socially because I feared being distracted from my studies. I did not get involved in organizations or put effort into making and being a friend. Because of this, I felt very alone on my campus. But as the year progressed, I realized this was on my fault because I was not taking advantage of opportunities to meet new people and plug into my community. I viewed the people who had friends as not taking their studies seriously; why would you come to college and not be academically successful? I did not understand that to enjoy college, you needed to become active in your community and make social networks that support different kinds of learning. I applied and was accepted to be a Resident Assistant, and I joined Alpha Gamma Delta in the fall of my sophomore year. These steps to investing in my college social experience completely changed my outlook. I would advise myself to welcome a different kind of learning, and the opportunity to make and value the social support that comes when you are invested in your community.
Matthew
I did it just right.
Kayci
First and foremost, it is extremely important to visit any and every college that a potential student is interested in; preferably when students are still on campus (not on school break). Walking the campus, seeing the classrooms and dorms gives you a really good idea on what it will be like living on campus. Double check the courses and major/minors available, to make sure it fits your needs. If you are undecided on what you want to do, make sure the school offers a variety of courses for incoming students to take inorder to discover what you would like to do. Never let the price of a college deter you, if you want it bad enough, and the school wants you bad enough, it will all work out through scholarships and loans. Once in college, make sure you experience everything, even things you won't like--clubs, organizations, intermurals, greek life, sports, everything. Don't let your social life keep you from your academic life. Find a way to balance school and play, even if it means studying on a friday night. Most of all have fun, live it up, you only go to college for four years.
Enam
Save money for your childs tuition and expenses.
Kaila
Take a trip to the perspective college and have a good look around and randomly stop people to ask questions and see what you find out.
Darren
For any student, whether an athlete or not, college is about finding the right fit for you. Many campuses are big and many are small, and some may seem more glorious than others but when the semester starts, it is only about how you feel in your environment. If a person cannot enjoy the people, the environment and the school as a whole, then no scholarship any size could replace that feeling. College is the first major step for those searching for careers of interest and a person has to go the the trials of life such as friends, classwork and more before emerging into a career status. College is about developing from the teen we were in High School into men and women that will make a difference in the world someday. It is about finding your purpose in life so that you can live and strive, and in the end when a person looks back on their life they will not have regrets and know that if they could, they would do it all again.
Maximilian
College needs to be fun. Itis the last chance to gain educationbefore you work the rest of your life. pick a college that is financially the best fit. Small schools can be better than big schools because of one on one professor intercation,social life, and ability to recieve financial aid. Don't procrastinate on the college applications because alot of information needs to be provided to them.
Amanda
The moment I left Randolph-Macon College after a visit, there was something inside me that knew this was the place I was supposed to be. I visited over ten difference colleges in North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia, and none of those schools gave me that feeling like Randolph-Macon did. In my experience, you just know when you have picked the right college. You walk away from your visit with a smile on your face knowing you are going to be a part of something extraordinary and exciting. When it comes to making the most out of your college experience, my advice to you is to regret nothing. You can spend all the time in the world wondering what would have happened if you had gone out just one more night, went to one more party, orstudied just one more hour. You end up wasting more time worry about things you should have done and not enjoying the things you did experience. What?s done is done and all you can do is take that next step forward. So decide what you want to do and do it with no regrets or second thoughts.
Marlene
I think that in finding the right school, you need to take into account all of your interests and values. Think about whether a Sunday dinner at home is important to you and make it possible by staying close to home if it is. Find places that offer programs of your interests but never limit yourself! It is unbelieveable how much you change over four years. You'll be amazed with what you find yourself participating in as a senior. As freshman, make sure you get ontop of your grades from the beginning. You never know what kind of activities you will eventually want to be a part of that require a certain GPA. Don't let mistakes your first year limit yourself for the rest of your college experience. Figure out a balance between having the time of your life and achieving academic excellence. Make connections with your professors, they will help you find jobs and internships.