University of Colorado Colorado Springs Top Questions

The most important thing about college is not where you go, it's your own personal experience there, and only you can make that. A school can look fantastic on paper and during your visit, but unless you're willing to open yourself up to see, do, try everything you can, you'll miss out and it will no longer be as fantastic as you imagined it to be. That school which doesn't seem that distinguished, perfect, or whatever else may just end up being your perfect fit. Take some personality tests! Do you like lots of people? Do you want to join any clubs? Are you going to play sports or be involved heavily with the school? Would you like living far away from home? There are many such questions one should ask yourself. Visits are great, try to sit in on some lectures (are they interactive? your learning style?), talk to some students (the best indicators are always those students you just catch walking around on campus, who aren't affiliated with the admissions department)... And lastly, don't forget, you can always switch schools after a semester or two, you might learn even more this way.

Visit schools you are interested in before making a decision; some schools may pleasantly surprise you when you visit. You can only go to so many colleges, and come senior year you don't want to regret your decision. Be willing to invest time into relationships at the school as well; everyone is in the same boat and it helps to have your classmates to help you out when you need it, and opportunities for you to serve your classmates will arise as well.

The best advice I could give is to go on a college tour and go off of the vibe you get from each campus. Don't choose a school because your friends do or because you want the name on your diploma, because chances are you won't stay friends through out college and once the novelty of the school's name wears off you will really only care about the education you're getting and the experience you're having. As for getting the most out of your experience I would say this: get involved! That is the best way to go. You will meet more people, connect with faculty better, and get better grades. Not to mention you will make some really incredible friends and great connections for your future.

CHECK MANY SCHOOLS. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT IN AN EDUCATION, COLLEAGE EXPERIENCE, AND HOUSING. MAKE SURE YOU WANT TO BE IN A STATE OR AREA THAT YOU LIKE. VISIT THE SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOICE A COUPLE OF TIMES DURNING DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR. BE PREPARED ASK QUESTIONS.

I would advise people to go out of their comfort zone when choosing a college. I think that it is important for people to see different angles of the world. It helps people grow in understanding of different cultures, ideas, and ways of life. Also, people grow in understanding of themselves.

Pick the college that you think will make you the most happy-- this is in terms of your professional career goals, scenery, campus size, campus diversity, availability of clubs/sororities/fraternities/honor societies that interest you, campus services (academic advising, tutoring, library), and city/town location (bustling or small-town, etc.). It's all about finding the right combination because if you go to a school for only one reason, like the academic program, you may be dissapointed by everything else and these dissapointments can make for a miserable college experience. College is about more than just classes, even though that is the major part. You want a school that best fits your interests, both academic and personal. You want a college where you can thrive and be challenged to be the best, both in academics and extra-curricular activities. Most of all, to get the best and make the most out of your college experience, you have to be willing to try new things, make new friends, and spend the time to study. It won't be easy at first, but it will come with experience. You will learn what works best for you and what school really fits.

The most important thing for the parents to do is to let their child make their own decision on the college that they attend. This is so important because if their parents make the decision for them they will not enjoy their college experience as much as if they picked it themselves. The students need to know that their time at college is very precious and that they need to really buckle down and only focus on school, because if one were to mess up their first year it is very difficult to catch yourself up after that. It would also be recommended to be in all the extra curricular activities because it is a great way to meet potential friends. I found that the best way to study was to go to the library with a friend from class and ask each other questions about the things they are unfamiliar with. This method got me some really good grades on some tests.

I transferred to my current school and it has been one of the best decisions that I have made. The school that I was at before was very conservative and had so many rules and regultations that I felt like my classmates were becoming robots. They followed in the footsteps of those before them and let themselves fall into those pre-set roles. I was falling into that same routine and finally left because, as an experiential/kenetic learner, I felt stifled. I think it is most important that as a student choosing a school , that you should choose one that best suits your personality. If you are a flexible person and do not do well with regimented hours it is probably better that you go to a more flexible school. If you need structure and cannot live without your dayplanner and book bag, then a school requiring some one with the discipline that you have, would probably be where you are most comfortable. Even if the school is 1000 mile away from home, go. If you are more comfortable with the environment there than with the college down the block from your house, Go. Do not hold back, Go.

The advice that I would have for them is mainly for the student because in the long run it is going to be the student who will be attending that certain college, not the parents. I think it's important to get the parents approval, hopefully, but really it should be up to the student. And when they are choosing a college they need to look at every aspect of that school. Not just the "fun" aspects of the college. They need to look into the classroom sizes, all the classes that school offers, the library and other resources, the living accomodations if he/she will be living on campus, and most of all the social life aspect of the school. It is important to see if all of these things that school offers are similar to what he/she is looking for. If the school is too big and the particular individual prefers smaller classroom sizes then that school may not be what he/she is looking for. To the student, take your time in deciding and really, really look into it. Don't feel rushed or pressured by anyone to choose school. But do get your parents discretion.

Choosing a college is one of the most difficult choices that a student has to make. As a college student, I have gone through the processes of searching for schools, applying for scholarships, and adjusting to college life. The best advice that I would be able to give parents and students would be to find a college that is upbeat, friendly, and offers programs and courses that will best prepare the student for their future. College should be a great experience where you meet new people, adjust to adult life, and study what you love. Get involved! Colleges offer ways to get involved within the community and also within the school. In this way you will make friends because you are around people that share your interests. You will also want to choose what is best for you academically, since this is what will set your desired career in motion. It may be easy to choose a college based on price and convenience, but believe me when I say that a cheerful environment can help students learn more and will make them want to keep pursuing their college education. And for you future college students?good luck and have fun!