University of California-Santa Cruz Top Questions

In making the correct decision of what school to attend one has to look at every single factor, regardless of the distance and the money the parent should never put down a school unless they have done full research and visited it. Its hard to make a decision when your parents are bogging you down with negative factors. For the students i just suggest that they look at what they like if they visit the school and know that they belong there, thats where they mostlike will succeed. its hard to make a decision with just pictures and websites so visiting is a very good thing to do. To make the best of your time in college you have to enjoy eveyrthing, dont overload your self with work and dont over load with fun, its knowing that its okay to have fun as long as you get your work done, participating in activities will remove the whole "home sick feeling" as well so get involved and participate in new activities youve never tried before.

The only advice to parents is to let their children choose the college. With that said its important for the children to choose the right school. There are several important factors when deciding on a school along with some simple exclusionary factors. If a school does not offer the major of interest, has classes that are too large, or is known for a field that is not in the students area of interest then it is probably not worth applying to depending on the interests of the student. Besides these specific exclusionary factors there are other, equaly important factors to consider before choosing a school. From personal experience I know that the culture of the school is of paramount importance. It is imperative that a student fit in with the mentality of the school. There are few things that could make a student more miserable than feeling like they do not fit in. If the student is science minded then they should seriously consider a polytechnic institute or, otherwise, a school that is know for a scientific bias. If a student is more free-spirited then they should strongly consider a liberal arts school for their education.

The big thing I learned when applying to college was that it was better to truly like the campus I was going to attend than to settle for a place and resent that decision. My advice would be for all potential students or parents to really research and get to know what it is they want in their educational experience. Get to know the places you're applying to; spend time on it rather than simply choosing a place that your friends are going to--remember, you're going to be there for four to five years. There's no point wasting such an important decision on an education you won't appreciate later because you got burned out from the environment of your chosen university (socially, academically, etc.). There is nothing better for your education than choosing the right university. Take your time: get to know some of the professors, ask questions, Google search, and read up on all of the universities you're interested in attending, that way you'll be prepared to make the right decision for your future.

Visit the campus and take a tour. Be open to socializing and leave time for studying

Don't over-do it.

Do alot of research and make sure you visit each campus while school is in session so you can get a feel for what the campus feels like on a day-to-day basis. Talk to a lot of people and get as much information as you can.

I think there is no one university that is right for one person. The majority of the time, the college you go to ends up being perfect for you. Always, always, always go in frosh year with an open mind because everyone is in the same boat as you are. You will make friends, you will meet people you don't like, you will ace some tests and fail others, you will get very stressed out, but you will also find yourself thinking that there is no other experience like the college experience. It is easy to get overwhelmed with academic pressures. The absolute best thing to do is work hard every day and when you feel like you need a breather, put down that pen and go do something fun! College is about making mistakes and learning from them. I have learned lots and lots academically, but I have also learned a thing or two about living in the real world and making decisions on my own. The friends you meet these 4 years will likely stay with you through life. Never get caught up in the drama of college and ALWAYS have that mind open to new experiences.

Students need to take a look at which majors are offered at the university or college that they are considering. Even if a student doesn't know what major he or she is interested in, the student will at least have an idea of what the options will be when the time comes to declare a major. Whenever possible, visit the campus. The environment of a school will have an effect on a student. If a student doesn't fit in, it won't work. To enjoy the college experience, a student should get involved. Knowing people who attend the college or within the community that surrounds the college makes a big difference in how one will experience college. Join a club or just say hello to people. Parents have to learn to set rules. These rules can be about money, phone calls (when and how often it is appropriate for parents to call a student). This will create a lot less tension between parents and students if they can agree beforehand what is or isn't acceptable. Also, parents be aware that students will probably change somewhat (or a lot) during college and this needs to be accepted.

Go with your instincts. That's what I did and I am supremely happy.

The most important factor in determing whether a campus is right for you is simply by visiting it. Take a student run tour and get a real feel of the campus. It's the place you will most likely be living for 2 years so ask attending students how they like the professors, the dining hall, activities, and what kind of atmosphere the social life is like. Research class sizes, the weather, transportation avaliblity throughout campus, and study locations; remember, these can affect your ability to learn and study. Determine what you want in a campus and what is unacceptable to your needs. Once in college, don't be afraid to try new activities and meet people that are unlike any friends you've had before. Also take classes that broaden your life not just your GPA. Many different types of classes will be offered that were not offered in high school. Get out of your comfort zone and take a class outside your major and forces you to think differently or take a different perspective! College is the place to determine your goals in life, but remember that the real world doesn't start after college; it starts now.