Marcus
The best advice to give to parents and students is to choose a college not on looks or by name, but rather by its programs. Sometimes some of the least known campuses have the best programs, faculty and staff that a student could ask for. Also, if you are given a scholarship that covers for most of your college expenses, go for it, but make sure that it is a worthwhile program that you are interested in. Don't simply go to a college such as Harvard just to impress people, but go there for the content in it.
Damian
Make sure the college has the students major and for the student, just go to class.
Matthew
You have to look at all factors, acedemic standing, sports (if the student is going to be playing on the official team) and campus life (quality of students and activities).
Carrie
Be patient in your choices, do not pick a school because of the look or feel of the campus. Take the time to walk around, and do your research on the campus. Make sure you look into the activities that go on around school, and see what you would be interested in and make the final decision baised on how comfortable you feel at the school.
Ashley
Rather than give advice, I wish to share my own experience. Exactly one decade ago, I stepped into the free world of college student. I made one wrong turn after another from that point on. I became deeply self destructive for many years and was not able to stay focused on what was important. I had quickly found myself living the empty life of a "partying girl". At 22, I had become a homeless, pregnant college drop out. From here, I began to make all of the changes necessary to become a whole person who had something to offer to the world. I had a long road ahead of me. This month I am celebrating my son's 5th birthday, along with my third year in sobriety. I also am beginning my second year at SEMO with nothing but straight A's under my belt. I am slowly excavating the talented artist that had been buried in fear for so long. I am beginning to believe in my abilities. My advice to all new students is to seek a rich college experience and leave the cheap thrills on the wayside. Within my education, the journey has truly become the destination.
Juliana
Make sure and find a college that you can stand to be a for your duration of school. Don't settle for the places where your friends, parents, or anyone else is going or has gone. Just make sure the school you go to has a variety of options available for you in food, learning resources, sports, and social functions both on campus and in the surrounding area. Most of all find a place where you can have fun and be yourself.
Danny
Find a college that has diversity in the students as well as the faculty. It is so much easier to learn about different subjects and aspects of life from different ethnicites. Find a college that offers an exchange program because learning from foreign students is the most enlightening thing I have experienced at college. Make sure you feel comfortable in the library because you should spend most of your time there. Check out the recreational facilites for a wide range of physical activities to stay in shape and just take a break from studying. Make sure you park in the right parking lot and ride a bike to class whenever possible. Use your class study session! Ask questions. And most importantly, don't just make friends, but make the RIGHT friends. Find people who like to study as much as they like to go out and have a good time.
Joy
Attend a school that offers alot of finicial Aid, that is a well known school and a place that is very diverse in people, culture, and diversity.
Keri
The most important advice that I wish someone had told me when I first began college, is to just take everything in one class at a time, then one semester at a time, next one year at a time. I thought I would never finish school, but here I am, in the beginning of my senior year! It all pays off in the end!!
Jennifer
Visit the campuses more than one time, you need more than just a first impression.