University of Alabama at Birmingham Top Questions

Be prepared to study, work, and open up. This is your path you choose so choose wisely and don't ever give up and when you are discouraged surround yourself by friends that make you smile. While it ain't a cake walk, it can be extremely fun so have fun while you can but don't let it interfer with whats important.

Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. At first meeting people can be hard but it gets easier when you give it a shot. The freedom is great but don't let it get the best of you. You have to remember to stay focused and that you're there for a reason. Remember to have fun and make the best of it, college goes by a lot faster than you think it would.

Just choose a place that makes you happy and comfortable. Dont choose a place where al your friends go. School is about your career and your life and your college experience shuld be about learning things that you want to do in life. College is where you meet people that you will know for the rest of your life. You should not feel tied down to your highschool life.

Be sure that you are finacially prepared to entered into a college or university. Make sure that the distance from your parents is not a stressor and that you know what resources are avaliable to you on campus. Know the atmosphere, some schools are known as party schools and some are known as strict academic schools, most fall in between. DO YOUR RESEACH! This is key to making any decision.

When choosing a college it is good to have an idea of what type and kind of environment you would like. Whether you do or not, start early to look into colleges so that you can plan ahead as far as preparing financially and academically to make yourself a good/great candidate. Once you've selected the colleges you would like, it is important to take a tour to see how comfortable you are in the environment/location of the campus. I say this from personal experience because when I took a tour of the college I thought was right for me because of my intended major, I could not believe how uncomfortable I felt. I felt like it wasn't for me. When I took a tour of my second choice, I instantly fell in love and was smiling through the whole tour. A tour makes a difference in not just getting to see the college you would like to attend but it lets you see if your personality meshes well with the environment. In making the most of your college experience, stay focused on your goal but have safe fun because college is an experience to remember.

Parents should make sure that their children are comfortable with the campus and let them decide what they want to do with their lives. No pressure should be put on students to make them do something they don't want to do. Students should stay focused on their schoolwork yet try not to just focus on school. They should relax and take in their whole college experience. It's important for students to make friends and stay involved on campus. They might consider activities that might look good on a resume for the future. Overall, students need to make sure that the campus they are considering offers the major they want to persue. The campus needs to fit your personality and make the home away from home feel as comfortable as possible.

Parents should be supportive throughout this process but should allow their child to make his or her own decision. Students should remember that they are at college to obtain a higher education and should therefore remain focused and studious. However, college is also the place where most people find out exactly who they are; thus, students should join organizations and have fun while continuing to be productive.

My advice for parents and students would be to apply to many different colleges and visit each a couple of times. By experiencing many different types of colleges prospective students can gain a clear idea of what type of atmosphere will be best for their success. Students may be interested in a professional atmosphere where complete focus is set on science education and applying to a professional school or a liberal arts atmosphere where they can increase knowledge and creativity while expressing themselves. The type of atmosphere appropriate for each student can only be determined by a taste of both environments. Almost every school carries similar degree programs but it is the way the school administers those programs that will determine a student?s success and happiness.

The main thing i would advise parent and students to do is to apply to many colleges and take their time deciding which place would be right for them. Visiting each college the student is interested in is extrememly important. Obtain lists of each schools activities and majors to see if any seem interesting to you. I would advise the student to get involved early and find the club/group where they feel the most comfortable. Going to college for the first time can be very scary but if you get involved early you will be sure to make lasting friendships. Also, I would advise the parents and students to take the time to fill out scholarship applications, because with the economy as it is coming up with money for college can be extrememly difficult. Overall, just make sure to consider all your options, and trust your gut feeling. Trust your heart because you know yourself best.

Finding the right college includes actually going to visit and doing research on the school. Make sure that the college you choose is a top one for your major, or has many different choices for a major if you are undecided. Make sure that you are happy with the surrounding area including the college. Choose the one that feels right. The one when you walk on to the campus for a tour that you can picture yourself there. The one that will give you the experience of a lifetime. Pick the one that you know you will be happy with in two, three, and four years. Make the most of your college experience by getting involved in what interests you. Don't waste time joining things you know you will hate or will not have time for. Pick two or three organizations and get really involved in them. Find good friends.