University of Connecticut Top Questions

What should every freshman at University of Connecticut know before they start?

natasha

While there is still time during your senior year, apply to as many scholarships as possible. Worrying about where your next tuition check is going to come from can really take a toll on you emotionally and how you perform in school. Also, once you step foot on campus you may feel a little homesick for about the first week or so (it is nice to have someone to call).You are living on your own for the first time?you can go out whenever you want and you don?t have anyone nagging you to do your work. That is fun and cool but you quickly have to learn time management and organization skills?no one is going to remind you of when a homework assignment is due.I recommend making friends with similar interest and that have a similar major. You tend to have a similar schedule and they can help keep you on track.It is extremely easy to get caught up in the party lifestyle. Don?t drink or engage in any drugs. You will regret a lot that you do when under the influence. You do not want to be known as ?that girl.?

laura

Many say that high school was the best years of their lives. That is completely wrong. I've only been in college for 1 year now and it is already so much better than the four years I spent in high school. I have learned to become more independent and responsible. Going back in time, I would tell myself to focus more on school and take my job seriously. College is very expensive but it is worth it in the end. I would let myself know that all those people who mocked me for being diverse in the friends I chose to hang out with were wrong. It's good to talk to people of different backgrounds than myself and I am glad I did not let myself get sucked into the world where it is shameful for an African American to interact with other races. At school, we were told to talk to everyone especially those who we wouldn't normally.

Meaghan

Consider everything, write a list of criteria and don't give up until you've found the matching school. Once you've decided on a school stick with it and get involved in order to make the best of it and force yourself to not want to leave or change schools if thats the case.

Christopher

There are many important qualities that require consideredation when selecting an appropriate school. First, it is important to find a school that will stimulate you academically and socially. This is important because as a student you want a school that will make you a well-rounded individual. Further, it is important to consider your career plans when selecting a school. For example, if you want to major in business, then you want to apply to schools suited to meeting your career ambitions. Class size is another important factor to consider when selecting schools. This is important because if you don't fare well in larger classes, then you would clearly want to avoid attending schools with 20,000 people. Cost is another important factor due to our current economy. It is important to consider the value of you education you will receive based on what you will be paying. Finally, it is important to pick a school that you like. As you will hopefully become a key component in the school's community, you should pick a school that makes you feel comfortable and successful. If you are provided with a positive environment at school, you undoubtedly will succeed.

Gretchen

A lot of colleges offer similar acedemic choices. I think the key to being happy at school is finding a place you want go to based on the people and the campus.

Sara

Use a well established and respected college search engine, such as CollegeBoard.com, to help match colleges with interests and needs. Once you have a few suggestions, practice navigating those university websites so you can do some searching of your own. Visits and tours are a must, but speaking with the current students can also provide valuable information and insight. Take it easy the first semester. By enrolling in courses that are interesting, but not particularly challenging, you can focus on easing the transition from home to college life by developing effective study skills and balancing social life with academic work; a good head start is not only impressive, but confidence building. After the first year, look for opportunities that make learning more fun and exciting. Internships and study abroad programs are beneficial to both those on a career path and undecided majors. Finally, if things are not working out, transferring somewhere else is always a smarter alternative to dropping out: nobody regrets completing a college degree.

Mallory

Attending college is a very special opportunity. Prospective college students should be sure to visit potential schools and select one that feels like it could be called home. Essentially, college is a student's second home and so it should feel comfortable. I worked as an orientation leader at my university for two summers, and the thing that I consistently told incoming students and their parents was the importance of getting involved in university life. A college diploma is invaluable, but outside of class experiences are a chance for true personal growth and help to shape one's development. I recommend that students take advantage of the different clubs and organizations that their school has to offer.

Samantha

Be ready to have fun and to learn a lot from the great staff here at UCONN.

Jamie

Picking the right college is a very personal choice. Help is always needed but in the end it should be the person who is attending the school that has the overall decision on whether to attend or not.

Rachel

Don't limit yourself to the school that has the highest ranking or is the most prestigious. Each university specializes in something and a school with a lower ranking may cater better to your needs rather than a school of a higher tier. Weight the pros and the cons, and take a chance. You may surprise yourself by picking the best opportunity ever.