Truman State University Top Questions

Pay attention to tuition and room and board costs. Money matters because you don't really want to graduate with thousands upon thousands of dollars in loans. A lot of people these days have to go on to graduate school so spending ridiculous amounts of money on undergraduate school is not advised. Also, get involved on campus. Find something that interests you and meet some new people. It looks good on resumes and makes college more enjoyable.

I would say that the best advice that I can give to parents and students out there about finding the right college and having the best experience possible is simply to not doubt your own potential. Many students coming out of high school think that they could never succeed at a particular college or that certain universities are too hard. Who here thinks they could make a 4.0 at Yale, right? I personally think that it is possible for almost anyone to do so, given that you put in the work and believe that you can succeed. That thought might scare some; they might fear that the amount of work necessary would ruin their college experience and hamper their social life. Not true. Even at the most buttoned down university there's always time to hang out, have fun, and let off steam. Don't let your fears or misconceptions of college life stop you. College isn't for the elite only, and it's better to push yourself to new heights than to wind up picking a college that you are entirely overqualified for.

Visit the school and talk to students who currently attend that school.

Parents and students looking to find the right college and make the most of the college experience can feel overwhelmed by the multitude of factors to weigh, but they can make the best decision for themselves by avoiding the three R?s of college pitfalls: region, rankings, and regrets. First, many students and parents, fearful of separating themselves by a great distance, consider only colleges falling within a predetermined range, typically those that can be driven to within a single afternoon. Students and parents should realize they are closing the door to hundreds of opportunities by not looking beyond this artificial boundary. Secondly, many are susceptible to placing too much weight on colleges? rankings. These rankings are based on attributes of the school that may not ultimately matter to the student. The absolute best way to know if a school is right is visiting the campus and imagining being a part of that community. Lastly, once at college, there is no room for regrets. Students should not mistake occasional loneliness for a bad college decision. Students who miss their homes and friends should make homes of their own on campus and become involved in extracurriculars to form lifelong friendships.

Go to the campus! You can never tell what the right school is until you go see it for yourself.

I would suggest that you check out any college that fits the criteria of what you're looking for, and don't be afraid to look at some that may fall slightly outside of your criteria. It turns out that I was just humoring my mom when we went to look at the University I ended up deciding to attend. I would also recommend that you choose at least one fun class each semester so that you remain interested and mentally stimulated in college, because sometimes the courses you have to take can start to drag you down. Definitely make an effort right away to try out several clubs, sports or organizations that interest you so you can find friends, but don't get so involved that you burn out too quickly. Of course academics are really important, and the reason why you go to college, but I wish I had sometimes made more time for a social life. Try to find a good balance.

Don't get too caught up in "shopping" for colleges. Find a place where you will be motivated to work hard and one that won't leave you paying student loans for years.

Trust your gut. There are so many different variables that can make a college a perfect fit for some students and a disaster for others. Most of these differences have nothing to do with the statistics in all those brochures you get in the mail. In most cases, you'll be able to tell which college is right for you by visiting campus and seeing how you feel. Does this college feel like home for a while? Do I fit in here politically, religiously, or ethnically? Do the students really look as diverse and happy as the pictures on the website would have me believe? If the campus or the community just doesn't feel right on a brief visit, how would you expect to live there for a long period of time with the added complications of classes and homework? If your gut instinct is telling you this college just doesn't feel right, then trust your gut.

When searching for the right college, parents and students should take into consideration factors that will affect the student's overall well-being. For example, what kind of social climate does the student want? How much will this cost parents and students, and what kind of financial aid or employment opportunities are available to students? Is the environment conducive to the social and educational needs of the student? Do the mission and values of the institution match the student's goals and personal values? There are many factors to consider when trying to find the right college. In order to make the most of the college experience once they have chosen the a college, students should make connections as early as possible. Get to know your classmates, professors, RAs, and the people you live with on campus. Go to interest meetings for Greek Life, service organizations, clubs, discussion groups and forums, and other campus events. Get to know the community you live in, both on and off campus. Be aware of the resources that are available to you, and remember to have FUN, to LEARN, and to GROW!

When looking at schools, find a school that, when you're there, feels like you're at home. Of course, make sure the school has the degree program that you want , but if you don't see yourself living, studying, playing, praying, napping, eating, and smiling there, it's probably not for you. You have to find a school that you can call your second home - where you can see yourself feeling comfortable making friends, joining organizations, and doing well in classes. While an excellent degree program and superior research facilities are important, if you're not happy with the personality of the school and your classmates, are you really living the college experience? College is a time to learn a particular subject, but you also learn how to grow as a person and find what your passions are in life. Go with your gut instinct of where you can find that passion!