Sam Houston State University Top Questions

I know I was really anxious about picking the right school for me. I was worried about what kind of classes I would take, what the professors would be like, and what kind of people I would meet. The best advice that I can offer is to be sure to visit the campus of a school that interests you. Some colleges look great on paper, but once you arrive, you find that things are not as idyllic as presented on a website. Talk to students who attend the school and find out what they like and dislike about the school. Also, be sure to ask about the financial aid department of the college, because that department will become vitally important during your time at school. Once you've chosen your school, be sure to make the most of your experience. College is what you make it. If you put a good effort into getting to know the people and programs offered, you will have an extraordinary experience. Go to college with an open mind and enthusiasm and you will definitely have one of the best experiences of your life.

The advice I would give to the parents is let the student make the final choice. Let them be responsible for making this huge decision of the next chapter of their lifes. Yes, guide them in the right direction, educate them on your experiences from college, but do not pick the school for them. Students, get involved in as many organizations as possible. Do not get caught up in the party scene and ruin what is the best thing life has to offer, an education. Plan out carefully what your financial needs are for the school year. If possible, try not to get a full- time job the first two years of college. Study and do as well as you can on the first two years of college because once the Junior year hits, classes just get tougher. But do not get scared because even though they get tougher, they are classes that are going to be interesting because the relate to your major.

My first words of advice are to start researching colleges as early as freshman year in high school because it will only help you narrow the choices sooner! Second, even if the student isn't sure what they want to major in, they do know what they are interested in! Try matching up those interests with career opportunities. The next goal would be to find the colleges that offer the degree you are looking at obtaining and narrow it down to the colleges that are not only well known for graduates with those degrees, but also those that are most affordable for the family. A separate option for the parents and students is to possibly take a look at some junior colleges just to get the basics out of the way. Not only can you start college for a cheaper cost while deciding on a major, but they offer a lot of classes that will transfer to most major universities when the time comes! Lastly, and most importantly: APPLY EARLY!! If you don't gain admissions the first time you have a second opportunity to apply during regular admissions!

Never pick a college simply based on recognition or status. The college an individual should pick is one that will challege you and motivate you to take your skills to the next level that is needed to be succesful in any industry. I would actually tell them to go to a community college for the first two years and acquire all their core credit hours there and then transfer to a university. It's cheaper and the parents can see if their child is serious and commited to a higher learning.

The advice I would give parents and students about finding a college is make sure it is the right school for you. Do not just go to a school because you want to follow your friends. Make sure you learn every detail about every school you are considering and then narrow it down to the school that will meet your career needs. Pick a school that you know you can be focused and will be able to graduate in a timely matter. Do not pick a school based on its parties but how well there students go on to finish.

College is a big deal to kids, and the children need to be the ones that make the decision on whether or not they will go to college. Also they need to be the ones to decide where they will go to college. I didn't get to choose where I went to college and even though I wouldn't have given it up I spent my entire college career wondering "what if I had gone where I wanted to go?" Even though parents may not like where their children want to go it needs to be the child's decision. It's their life so they should make the decision how to live it. Studying is a big thing in college, but you can't do that all the time. You have to make time for yourself as well. College will be a lot more fun as long as a balance is found between study time and play time. It isn't easy and as classes get harder play time may gt shorter but that is the price paid for an education.

Make sure you look at all your options. I would DEFINETLY check out the campuses and surrounding area and make sure there are available jobs, housing, ect. If your shy try to get out of that and make a lot of friends to get the most out of your college experience but don't forget to study. Pass it all the first time because it is a pain to retake classes and you want to graduate on time and not stress so much your senior year.

Parents, talk to your kids and kids talk to your advisors. Pay attention and never hessitate to ask questions.

My advice to parents, and students would be to not sweat the small things. The goal is to come out with an education and I believe you can acomplish this at any college, but to me the most important thing is to come out of college being a more passionate, considerate, wise, and just more understanding person. You should take it all in; the good and the bad. I beleive in having fun, but learn all you can while you can and when you graduate you can honestly say that you accomplished being the best student you could be while in college. There is no greater feeling than that, and I know quite a few people who would give anything to go back and put in a little more effort than they did before. In conclusion, that is the way I feel you can make the most of your college experience. As far as the right college, where ever you end up is obviously where you're suppose to be.

Make sure the college fits you.....how it looks, how it feels, the people there, the curriculum....it's like finding the right person in your life...when you know, you know. You will learn better and feel more comfortable when you are in the right place. As far as making the most of the college experience----take advantage of what you are there to do--learn! Find yourself and who you are, find lifelong friends, do something once you may not think you would have done before. Step out of the box to discover life and where you belong in it. Life isn't about the destination, but the journey, and the journey is what you make of it. Don't be afraid to mess up, that's part of growing up. Stand up and keep going. Learn, live, and have fun...that's how to enjoy the college experience.