University of Delaware Top Questions

Choose a college that you think you will feel comfortable--acedemically and socially. I would feel bad for anyone who tried very hard to get into a cut throat school, just to spend most of thier time there struggling to keep up with thier peers. And also the 40,000 - 50,000 a year schools don't seem worth the money. You will get a good education at any major university private or public .The school you choose should be a combination of how much you like it with its value.

Don't just pick a school based on a scholarship because college is stressful enough without having to think about maintaining a certain g.p.a. Be realistic about what major you choose, especially for people going into a math or science field. I would say half of my friends who went into their freshman year majoring in math or science changed majors after a year. This could also cause major problems with your credits transferring over to your new major. Picking the right size school is also a major factor that influence's a student's success in a school. I go to a big college and with big colleges there is an inevitable chance that you will be in large classes, which leaves most of the learning on you. I personally do fine in large classes but some people need more individual attention or need smaller classes to actually go to class because many students skip large classes regularly. Last but not least, remember that your academics come first. Don't pick a school in a location/area (such as a large city or big party school) if it's going to distract you from your studies.

Students go to college with the main priority of getting a great education. Of course you need to get good grades and succeed in college to get the job you want but, there is more to college than education. The college experience and the years you spend there are suppossed to be the best of your life. You cannot just focus on school all of the time, although that is what is most important. The ideal college has a balance of both. It needs to have large libraries, plenty of study lounges, and intelligent professors but, it needs to have some life to it. It needs to be in an area where the student can get rid of the stresses of that day's tests and become a young fun loving adventurer. I have learned the hard way that if you focus only and solely on education and working you will fail no how smart or driven you are. You need a college that allows you to stop and smell the roses for a minute. College is a time for you to learn but it is also valuable time of your youth you will never get back.

You probably won't know if a college is right for until you are actually there as a freshman. Although you can get a good idea about what the college is like through tours and advisors, you won't be able to fully understand the atmosphere and campus life until you experience it for yourself. Do your best to find a college that makes you most comfortable during your visit. If you look around and see students that look like yourself or your friends, you're probably in the right place. Also, make sure you understand what the college is good at teaching. Don't expect to get a good liberal arts education at an engineering college just because it has a recognizable name.

When you're looking for a college, take time to see how you fit in with the campus, people, and opportunities. Do you feel welcome? A college that puts noticeable effort into making you feel welcome may be a college to seriously consider when it comes down to deciding. The college I attend was not my first choice, it was the school with the best offer. However, after speding one year there I am very happy. No matter where you choose to go, make sure you're open to try something new. An activity you don't usually participate in may end up being fun. You may meet your best friends where you least expect to. Take advantage of every opportunity by trying it at least once because you may never know what you'll regret. That's what college is...a new opportunity. So take every opportunity you're given and run with it.

My advice to parents/students would be to visit (attend a class) during the college's academic calender. You need to feel like you belong and will be comfortable living/studying in this environment for four years or more. When you have made your decision, visit the college of your choice several times and attend all orientations. I have met the best friends in my two years in college and we will probably be life long friends.

Find a college that you are enthusiastic about. If you get that "warm and fuzzy" feeling when you're there, that's the right place for you! I didn't know where I wanted to go to college, but when I visited Delaware, I saw myself living and learning there. I knew it was where I was supposed to be. I wasn't 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure, I never really am about anything, but you just have to go with your gut feeling. Ignore what everyone says about what is a "good" school. It's all about what you make of what is given to you. You alone can make your college experience great.

Student gives her advice to incoming freshmen on academics.

Find some place that will give you a great education that's not overpriced. Good reviews of advisors and instructors are key, the teacher sometimes makes/breaks the class. Make sure you find a place that will be compatible with your comfort level, meaning size of it and surroundings. Most schools offer many opportunities for jobs, sports, and other activities to get involved in so pick some out that might interest you. Joining a group like that sometimes makes it easier to meet people. It's about education, flat out bottom line, but make sure that you have fun along the way because that is what you're going to miss when you graduate.

Try something new. Go to college away from where you grew up, somewhere you'd like to explore and learn more about. Pushing your comfort level helps bring out the real you. I went to college 3000 miles away from home and learned so much about myself by doing so.