University of Arizona Top Questions

I would advise parents to let your kids go. Let them go to a college of their own choice and not yours. Make sure they are choosing the school for good reasons like does it specialize in their major, is it big/small, what kind of atmosphere doe it have. The most important thing is that the school feels right to your child and that they see themselves happy at that school. For the students don't choose a college based on what your parents want, what your friends want, but choose it based on what YOU want. What do you want to study? Do you like small/bog class rooms? Do you want to be far/close to home? Ask yourself those important questions so when you make your decision it is one you will be happy with. The best thing is to go to a school that you a proud of and would recommend to others to go to. Go to a school that will expand your mind not only in the classroon but also in the social areas of life. Be happy and have fun in college because those are the best 4 years of your life.

The best advice I could give to both parents and students is to have a goal and stay focused. College is a time where people learn who they are as adults in the world. His/Her Identity is now being challanged. He/She will be away from ones family, friends and people who validate who he/she . This may become emotionally, and spiritually challanging, therefore affecting academics as well. Finding a college that enables a student to prevail through these complicated times will empower them to stay consistant, and see his/her goal to the end. This will allow the student to make the most of the college experience, by allowing them to grow in an atmosphere that also gives them the amount of structure he/ she needs to be successful.

Go to a college where you can actually see yourself attending. Don't apply somewhere just because it's close. Don't apply somewhere just because your friends want you to. The more you where you are, the more you will like school, and the better you will do it in school. Make the most out of college by attending class everyday and truly trying your hardest, everyday.

apply to several and visit them on-line and in person. try and find someone who attended and find out what they liked and didn't like. keep your mind open

Visit the colleges and try to sit in on a few classes. Look at the expansiveness of programs. How many are offered? If a small school is offering a lot of programs, each individual program may not receive very much attention because their resources are stressed. If a large school is only offering a few programs, what are they emphasizing? Remember that students often change majors, don't pick a college based on a single program. Make sure there are a variety of programs available in case you change your mind.

I would recommend that a student find a college that best fits their career interests because in the end that is what is the most important. Once you get in your school the best advice i can give is to get as involved as you can on campus. When you become involved you meet new people and you get to do so much more stuff that the regular student does not get to do. I would have to say that my college experience would not have been as fulfilling my freshman year and I would not have met as many great people as i have if it were not for getting involved.

For students it is extremely important to find out what field you are the most excited about. In your first year it is important to take several of your general education courses so that you can get a sampling of the many fields that you could possibly enter. Even if you think you want to know what you want to do, try as many different courses as you can. It is also very important for to not put pressure on students to choose their major right away. Most general education classes can be applied to several different majors. So a student has his first two years to determine what field he/she is most excited about.

Go to a school that meets your needs. Staying in state is much more affordable; I do not think it is worth it to go out of state. Figure out what you want your career to be and get a degree that will go towards that. Don't just get any degree you are interested in because you will graduate and move back in with your parents and be a loser.

Follow your passion and don't let anyone get in the way of your goals. Don't be bullied by professors. You have the right to make the most of your college career so go do it!

Don't base your decision entirely off of your current interests. You are going to change a lot throughout your college career, so you want to find a school that will give you a lot of flexibility in that regard. You may think you know what you want now, but chances are that will change. College is all about exposure, exposure to new ideas, new people, and a new way of life. You want to find the school that will accomodate for your unpredictable transformation, giving you many options all along the way. Specifically, you want a school with diverse social circles, many non-partisan departments to choose from, and a comfortable atmosphere. This third aspect is definitely more important than it may sound. The transition from living at home to living alone is a huge one, so you want to find a place that presents a wide array of features that will raise your spirits and energy level. A school with decent weather, 24 hr. on-campus restaurants and shops, and a serene landscape is definitely preferable. Find a place where you can relax and get the things done that are important without cause for worry.