University of Arizona Top Questions

Be open-minded about new and unfamiliar experiences because your life experiences shape who you will become. Get to know your professors - they are your best resource toward an A+. Learn a few of your favorite recipes from your parents for those days when McDonalds just doesn't cut it anymore. "Please" and "Thank You" always get you further in life. And most importantly, don't forget to breathe!

To find the right college, I would advice parents and students to visit the campus on different days and ask questions about the campus.

The advice that everyone seems to give high school students applying to colleges is to find the school that ?fits them best.? If a student is environmentally conscious, pick a school with an eco-friendly campus; if she loves chemistry, pick a school with a superior medical program. While this may be good advice, I believe one can make any college ?fit? her. Choosing a college with a community who has similar academic and social interests does not always guarantee a great experience. I went to a small, private college preparatory high school, so I was nervous to attend a large Pac-10 state school like the University of Arizona. However, once I was here I barely noticed UA?s size. I immediately became involved in extra-curricular activities, clubs, intramural sports, dorm-life, and academics. Suddenly I was surrounded by familiar faces, things that interested me, and reflected my personality. The enormous U of A soon became small, personable, and mine. The college experience you have is entirely up to you. Make it what you want it to be, on any type of campus, and you will undoubtedly have the four most successful and enjoyable years of your life.

For students, I would recommend them to pick a school that is reasonably financially affordable for them, and to choose a school with lots of available career choices since it is relatively common to switch majors mid-college career. I would encourage students to get to know their peers from student housing, classes and clubs/organizations for a smooth transition to the college social life. I would tell students that it is very common to "burn out" or become overwhelemed during their first one or two years, and that they should seek out their school's resources to help them manage their time efficiently. And most of all, I would be sure to tell them to enjoy themselves and be sure to concentrate on schoolwork! And of course, I would tell them to always make sure their grades are their top priority.

Don't get too hung up about finding the "right" college and don't be disappointed if you decide to stay in your hometown to go to school. I say this because college is what you make of it. Attending any school can be a great or a miserable experience but it is up to you. You can spend it studying, exploring, bonding, learning, creating, focusing, experimenting, or partying if you choose. And if you don't get your top choice, don't worry, because it is not the name of the school on your resume that matters most; rather, it is the strength and content of your character, your skills and abilities, your passion and determination that counts. The fact that you will have a college degree already says so much, and nobody can ever take that away from you.

Examine all options. Be true to yourself, remember your intererests, if you truely love what you want to do, you will enjoy your education, and your career. On a daily basis, I think to myself how lucky I am to be studying what I am. I love my school, and my future career. I can't wait to graduate and get to work! Now if I can only find a way to pay for it all...

Visit the campus before you go. Also make sure that the future student does ample research on every aspect of their potential campus. College isn't just about affordability, you get what you pay for.

Find a school where you will feel comfortable. It is tough to stay focused and happy with school if you are unhappy outside of school. I lived close enough to family that I could take a break when I needed to. As much as college is about learning and preparing for a career, it is also about learning about yourself. The college experience will not be as great as it can be if you are not happy when you experience it. You should decide what factors would make you happiest while you live your college life, and make sure those factors play a role in the process of deciding which school to attend.

Work hard and don't wait around to start working hard in class. Start off strong, if you get a good grade on your first test, you'll have momentum to carry you through the rest of the semester.

College is not just a place of learning, rather it is a place of personal development. You cannot pick your college based soley on one aspect, instead consider what your own personal strengths and weaknesses are and find a school that fits your academic, social and personal needs. You need to find a place where you can challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone to excell in everything you try, if you do not then you will be hindering yourself from experiences that make life memorable. After attending my university for a little over a year, I have grown in unimaginable ways. College is place where you are forced to grow up, take on responsibilities with consequences, learn self control, and most important of all a place to learn how to time manage. In college you learn a lot in the classroom, but the best lessons I have gained through my own college experiences have been outside the classroom, in real life situations. The best recommendation I can give you, is to find a school that you feel comfortable at, yet will challenge you to grow academically, socially, and personally.