The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Top Questions

College is about putting yourself out there to obtain knowledge and experience new things. It allows the opportunity to do things that you might not have had the ability to do in high school. Choose your school based on the merit first, but never forget the social aspects as well. Meeting people from different walks of life encourage growth within yourself as well. Be kind to everyone and try to learn all you can. This will be the only preperation you will have for the rest of your life... USE it properly! Live it up! These are truly the best years of your life!

Start looking for colleges early and choose one that has a good program for your field of interest.

The best college may not always been the largest college. Investigate colleges where the student will feel at home (school size, academic programs available, campus setting, extra-curricular activities available, etc). This is the student's college experience, not the parents'. The student should have the most input on where he/she wants to attend school. In order to make the most of the college experience, the student must become involved with people and activities on campus. There is a plethora of clubs, organizations and activities for the student on the college campus. It is important that the student discovers what they are interested in and finds their niche.

Make sure you like the campus and location. If you try hard and are open to others, you will find good people anywhere; your environment/campus look will not change though.

My advice would be to really look at state schools. Most state colleges and universities have a flagship campus and other smaller campuses. This is a major advantage as you can chose to study in the setting that you are most comfortable in, smaller more quiet areas or in a bustling city. Furthermore state colleges offer a big discount when compared to private institutions. Another thing to consider at a state college is the abundace of extra-curriculars like sports, interest groups, plays, sorrorities and fraternities, and volunteer groups.

It's not about picking the perfect school. It's about finding a campus you like and can live with and enjoy. College is what you make it, friends come so easy if you just get yourself out of the dorm/library. I came into college with many friends i knew from high school, but I met so many more people through club sports and general socializing. A college campus is so diverse, it is hard to find a school that doesn't have multiple options coursewise.

Be both open-minded and decisive, never sit around and wait for things to happen for you.

Be open to try everything (within reason). Give every college a chance cause there will definitely be one that will fit you perfectly even if you didn't know it would.

Go with the school that you feelwould best fit you.

I think the most important thing is to have something you absolutely love about your school. Whether it be the sports, the campus, your major, etc. It's very important to love your school from the beginning. Always visit the campus. You'll know right away whether or not it's for you. And please don't settle. You will be absolutely miserable if you don't go to the school you picked, or if you have a bad attitude about it. Also, you will not have fun at school if you choose not to be outgoing and meet new people. It may seem hard and scary, but everyone is in the same boat as you. Everyone loves making new friends, so there's nothing to worry about. PLEASE don't follow a friend or a boyfriend to college. Either you'll break up, lose touch, or start to change your opinions about the person. Now's your time to shine, don't screw it up. Make as many new friends as possible. These are the greatest years of your life with the people that will remain your friends through the rest of it. Don't take it for granted!