Stetson University Top Questions

Any school will be both fun and academically engaging

Find a school you can see yourself studying at. So many students make their decision about what school to attend because they know someone who went or goes there or they know there is a great social scene. Your academic success is the key reason you attend college. Also, be yourself no matter how other people try to change you. Being the same person, but better, when you graduate is very important. Find out who you are, not what others want you to be. Think every decision you make through. You will no longer have the collective decision making skills of you and your parents to rely on and if you do what you think they would want you to, you can't help but succeed.

Go and visit the campus and talk to as many people who have information about the college as you can.

First, I would like both they to know that they should base their decision on finding a university based on your current situation and personality. The future will come in time and you will have a lot of growing up to do within your 4 yrs in college. Parents and students always base their decisions on the future, "who has the best grad/law school"? or "Where do you want to work after you graduate"? One should ask "who has a variety of majors, so if I decide to change majors I can always find something I like" ,"where have I always wanted to live at temporarly and is the campus safe"? "How is the school spirit in the school"? "Does the school have sport teams that I would attend games or are there clubs that interest me"? "Do I want small classes vs large classses"? There are so many questions that have to do with the current situation and personality of a student. And lastly, parents and students should take a tour of the campus. There is a feeling that you get inside that makes you belive "this is where I belong" you will know which school to pick.

Choose a school that not only fits your needs academically but also socially and geographically. If you choose solely on academics, your overall well-being and social happiness will be compromised. Also, do individual research on prospective professors and their successful (and unsuccessful) students. Take a brief survey of the student population, is it diverse, with people of different racial, cultural and economic backgrounds? One downside to a school that isn't varied is the lack of a broad spectrum of beliefs, opinions and objectivity. Have an emergency financial plan; apply for as many scholarships as possible-even if you think you'll never have a chance of getting it. Also, apply for a school that you think you do not have a chance of getting into, a school you want to get into and have a pretty good chance as well as a school that you are positive you will get into.

The college experience is all about making mistakes and figuring out who you are and what you want out of life. However, there is much advice that I would give to a college freshman and his/her parents. Firstly, take it seriously. Grades are crucial, and the first two years are the most important, given the way GPA is calculated. Secondly, get as many classes out of the way as possible during high school and summer breaks. This can be done through dual enrollment, or taking summer classes at a community college. Most schools will only accept community college credits until one has earned 60 credits, so do it early! This saves you time, money, and allows you to take classes you are interested in, not just general ed. Third, start thinking about career plans early. You do not want to graduate with the wrong major because you didn't start thinking about a job until your junior year, and by then, it was too late to switch from that biology major. If graduate school is your plan, take grades extremely seriously, and get to know your professors. They help with letters of reccomendation, advice, and more. Lastly, enjoy it!

College is the path through which your dreams are headed. Take the time and effort to apply everywhere your heart desires. Visit and talk to current students on the campus to learn more about what life is really like on the campus. Parents; please accept whatever decision your student makes about where to go and what major to pick. There is nothing in the world more inspirational then your acceptance. Students; apply early, and apply everywhere. College is more then just an educational experience; it is where you learn to "be a person", as my college band director always says. Soak up the independence, and take responsibility for the new liberties you have been granted. The more seriously you take college now, the easier your life and career will be later. College is untouched, freighting, and educational frontier. Enter with caution and confidence. Pick your path and enjoy the ride!

You need to find the place at which you feel most comfortable. Campus should feel like home. If it doesn't feel right, you should probably keep looking. That's why it's so important to visit campuses. Don't let someone else tell you what you want to do at college. A lot of students choose a major or a college because it's what their parents want them to choose. This is YOUR decision. The only way it could be wrong is if you're not happy. College is about finding who you are. Choose the place that will help you the best. =) Once you're there, keep up with your grades, but don't get too stressed out. You can still get As and have a social life, I assure you. If you lock yourself in the library for hours on end, you may get an A, but you're probably not going to be happy. Study with friends and make time for yourself. If you get too stressed, don't be embarrassed to go to counselling. They're there to help you. Plus, you get to vent for an hour and it's free and confidential.

The right college for anyone is mostly based on what acadmeic atmosphere the student wants to emurse themselves in for four years (more or less). Acamedics will be at the core of any college, and is what should be looked at closely first and foremost. If you are looking to challenge yourself acamedically and grow intellectually a more rigorous school would fit best. If you are looking to merely obtain a degree to further a career, or financial status, than a less regorous school would fit best.

Go to the place where you feel at home.