Sonoma State University Top Questions

If you can't picture yourself living there after college then it probably isn't for you. Choose a place you instantly fall in love with.

I believe that when it comes to finding the right college for a student it is very helpful to visit many different types of schools. The best thing to do is to go to a variety of locations in order to find where the student would feel most comfortable. There is nothing worse than going off to college and not enjoying where the area surrounding the campus. When it comes to the academics of the college, parents need to take advantage of their child's time in high school to research different colleges and find which school will strengthen their child's current skills. Also, taking part in the different orientations at most colleges can really give the parent and student a feel for which fields each school is best. One idea is to have the student take notes about different things they experience while touring each campus so they can later reflect on which ones they enjoyed the most.

Finding the right college can be the biggest decision you will ever make. You want to make sure that you are going somewhere that will assist you academically and for the benefit of your future. It's been my opinion that someone choosing a school should do so based on academics (what type of classes can you take for your major), extra-curricular activities and the professors that teach at the school. These three things are going to help you adjust to a new life away from home and away from any thing you have ever experienced before. Make the most out of your college experience by actually attending class, taking up an art class or an athletic sport, and talking to your professors. Become active in your college community and you will make friends faster and do a lot better in school.

First of all, I would suggest to any incoming student that the specific surrounding campus means the most, don't go straight to a school with the highest party "scene" or best sororities, it is more about the educational experence. You want to feel comfortable to be able to get your work done sufficiently, while interacting with other students and teachers that engage this learning and help you to succeed. Touring campuses will teach you alot about this interaction and connection, while allowing for the student to feel the atmosphere and vibe of the neighborhood. It is extremely important for you to get the most out of your dollar, considering college is so expensive these days, take appropriate actions to visit the schools, while finding out as much information about meal plans, housing, financial aid, emergency care and everything that consists of sufficient living for you or your young adult.

Let you're son or daughter do the picking, don't try and influence them because if they choose the wrong one they might drop out.

You will be developing into the person you are to become in these next crucial years, so picking out the right college for you is extremely important. Whether you are involved in sports, academia, clubs, or volunteering- you will be involved so deeply in the college that you utlimately go to, and if the environment that you choose isn't who you want to become it will be difficult to find the place that is right for you. Just researching the college on the internet will not be sufficient in order to decide what fits you best. It has to feel right when you actually visit the campus. And when you enroll in the college that is perfect for you, getting involved is critical. You will find the people who will become your friends for life and who will have the most in common with you. There are so many oppotunities to get involved but if you don't take the chance to put yourself out there, no one will be there to help you. You have got to take the initiative to work at meeting new people- especially in the first few weeks of coming to college.

Finding the right college is a very important thing, but it is not the most important thing. The biggest thing to remember is to make the best out of it, where ever you go. I believe that it is important to go away from home, because it gives you an opportunity to really find out who you are, not who your parents want you to be. It is also important to remember the things that you learned in high school, such as how to study, and to do the best that you can personally do. Please, please, please don't get caught up in the drinking and drugs. I can't tell you how many good kids have dropped out of college because of it. College is a time for fun, but it is mostly a time of learning. You are going to use this for the rest of your life, so take the classes that interest you, and that will keep you out of trouble. Though it is very cliche, college will be one of the greatest times of your life, so enjoy it, but always make smart choices!

make the decision based on youre first impression. and dont make the decision because of proximity to a boyfriend or girlfriend.

My advice would be is to start looking at colleges while the student is in their junior year of high school. First figure out what area you would want to live in and then take a look at the schools in that area. Make sure you have a few options to choose from when it comes to applying. You also want to look at to see if the size is right for you or if the school is very interactive with sports and greek life. When you first go away to college, you need to get involved as much as possible. Usually the school puts on welcoming events for the freshmen and its the best idea to go to them. Go with your roommates or make friends with your neighbors around you. Also try to get involved in greek life or an intermural sport because you are going to make friends that way. You want to make the most of college because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and after you graduate, you are off to the big working world!

Go to the schools and talk to students, not just the tour guides. Ask if you can see a real dorm and not just the one that the "show".