Texas State University Top Questions

If I could go back to high school and give my "past-self" some advice about college life, the first thing I would tell myself is that college is not like a TV Show. The friends you had in high school most likely won't be the people that you remain life long pals with. College opens you up to so many new experiences and through these experiences you learn so much about yourself, and you'll find that life might take you in a different direction than your friends. I'd also let "myself" know that college is much harder than high school but with perseverance I could graduate at the top of my class. Finally, I'd let "me" know that quarters are like gold in college when you're paying for laundry machines and living off vending machine food and that bad roommates make for great conversation starters later in life.

Have a general idea on what you want to do when you graduate, and if you narrow down the schools, visit them, and whichever one you feel most comfortable with, that should be your first choice. i chose my school in the end because of the beautiful campus and the people were very nice.

They say college is supposed to be one of the most memorable times of a young person's life. I believe that to be true, but college can also be very stressful and hard to adjust to. As a returning sophomore at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas I am able to say that I am happy to have survived my first year as a college student. Adjusting to many late night cramming sessions and Saturday football games can take it's toll on a new young student's life. It is a time where you are so excited but so scared you are not sure what to do first. My advice, get involved! There are so many activities to become involved in. Not only so MANY activities, but activities that fit anyone's lifestyle. Whether you're into going green, baseball, or even anime... there will be something for you! Becoming involved with an actitivity on campus is one of the easiest, healthiest ways to get to know your new campus community. So go out there and get involved!

First of all, it's obviously most important to choose a place where you will get a great education, and lead you to your career. Besides just considering that, it's also important to choose somewhere that you will feel comfortable. It's always good to take advantage of the campus days that the schools hold for prospective students. There you can really get a feel of the campus and determine if you could see yourself there or not. If your a real "home-body," like myself, it might also be good to choose a place not too far from home, that way if you needed anything, you could get there fairly soon. To make the most of your college experience, besides studying hard (which is most important!), get out and socialize! Join a club, sorority or fraternity, volunteer on or off campus, go to career fairs, there are so many things you could do to meet people and get the most out of being there. Everything on campus is to benefit you, so take advantage of it!

The first thing you should do is figure out your priorities. The number one priority for a student searching for the right college is the availability of the major he or she wishes to pursue. Then ask yourself some questions. Do you want to find a 2-year or 4-year university? Public or private? Does distance play a major role in your decision? Do you care for the quality of the campus? What about safety and security? Once you have all the basics covered, go online (your best source for this kind of information) and start your homework. You must do research before you make the final decision! And if it helps to talk to a representative of the school you are researching, find a number and call. Make sure all your questions are answered. Then figure out the costs, the biggest concern for most parents and future college students. College costs have a wide range. Calculate your budget and apply for as many scholarships as you can run into, which can be found online and/or at any college financial aid office. And whatever you do, don't stress!

For any prospective college student or parent of a prospective college student, I recommend visiting all Universities that students are interested in before deciding on one. Talk to the students on campus and members of any organizations that the student would be interested in joining, if they went to that University. After making a final decision, learn everything about your future college life and take advantage of every opportunity available. Once you move on to your college campus, join any clubs and organizations that sound attractive to you. To get the most out of your college experience, you have to put yourself out there to see where you best fit in. Talk to your teachers and advisors, they are there to help you with any diffucluties that may cross your path. You are not alone at college, there are always faculty and students to help you along your way. Also, parents don't forget to send care packages during the year. It is always nice for students to know that their parents are thinking of them.

Have plenty of money and there is a definite class line concerning money.

If money is a problem it would probably be best to attend a local community college in order to get basic classes out of the way. This will give the student an extra two years to think about what college he or she would like to attend, and what major they would like to persue. Whenever a young person first enters a College or University they are in a new world with a clean slate. It is important that young person remembers all of the morals and teachings their parents bestowed upon them, and keep in mind what is right and wrong. But College is also a time for growth and self discovery as well. New College students should be bold enouph to step outside of their comfort zones in order to meet new people and try new things. Everyones college experience is different. Just try and remember that College is for learning not for partying.

I believe a lot of students tend to look at college as an escape from home and something owed to them by their parents; outlooks which definitely carry immature tones. Instead maturity, patience, and plenty of communication should be plentiful on both sides (the student and the parents) as they work as a team, endeavoring to select a suitable college. Both the student and parent(s) should actively research colleges that appeal to them, later bringing their selections to the table for discussion. Afterwards, once the choices are narrowed down visits should be scheduled to give the student and parent(s) a real look at the college and not just what the pamphlet chooses to reveal. The student should see college as a place to grow while being a beacon of what their community, parents, and themselves would like to have portrayed. So many people have worked hard to get them to their current point of "success" that it almost seems as a given that one should attend college. Students should get involved, make friends and never forget where they came from and who helped them along the way. College is truly and experience to be cherished.

To parents, I would say to give a little slack on their children. College is an opprotunity to discover one's identity and to be able to see if they are ready to fly from the nest. But don't loosen the chain too much, the students will have to know they have your support, emotionally and economically. For the students, I would say to experience as much of the college as you can. Here you will meet various amounts of people, different types too. Don't be afraid to step out of you high school bubble and meet new people. Also, join some organizations, you will be able to learn a lot through those, and it is another way to meet people. Remember, the friends you meet in college will be the friends you have for life.