University of Connecticut Top Questions

Although there are numerous factors that must be considered when deciding on a college, there is one factor that stands out above all: feel. Pick the school that will feel the most like home to you. One where you can invision yourself fitting in, making friends, getting involved, and enjoying your education. Academic success will be much more tangable if you are in an environment that you suits you, both academically and socially. Feeling like you belong is one of the most fundamental human needs. When this need goes unfulfilled it is nearly impossible to focus on other things, such as academics or extra-curricular activities. College is more than just an education, it is also a life experience. Get everythign you can out of your formal education but do not forget that there are many lessons that you learn in college that can not be taught in a class. Your experiences in college will guide you throughout the rest of your life. So, remember to keep everything in balance. Work hard, but don't forget to have some fun along the way. College opens up a world of new opportunities, don't be afriad to try some.

One size does not fit all. I love going to my college but I know some people who hate it. You can?t know what a college is really like until you?ve been there, so I would recommend that you have some time to visit the college before you become a student. Stay overnight in the residents halls, eat in the dinning commons, go to classes. After experiencing some of the every day life on campus you will get an idea of whether you would like to attend the school or not.

A college experience is the most defining thing I have experienced in my life. My career goals before my education were very different than they are today. Before college I had plans to attend school with the objective to become a Navy officer and while this objective is still possible I have created the opportunity for myself to earn a high paying position with the top company in the financial services industry. My education and my peers helped to polish my future and make it clear to me who I am and who I would like to continue being. The University of Connecticut brought me together with my best friends, incredible service groups and institutions and a few lifetime companions. Discovering the right school is difficult but it all depends on who you are. Choose a school based upon your personality. If you are outgoing and have a lot of energy choose a big school, if you are focused on your education goals then choose the best school for your studies. Likeminded students will do the same and you can be sure that you will find peers who share your values. Remember it's your school not your parent's!

Firstly, decide whether you have a preference when it comes to urban versus rural versus suburban settings. A rural school that provides a lot of services will never replace the real city experience. Especially if you end up moving off-campus. If you are unsure about what setting you prefer, make sure you pick at least one of each in different regions. There are a couple things you have to do if you want to make the most of your college experience. When it comes to academics, don't overload your first year. Even if you were top of your class in high school, take it easy your first semester. The hard stuff can wait, and you can always take extra credits in a later semester once you've found your rhythm. When it comes to your social life, the best advice is to talk to everyone: random people in your class, starngers in the cafeteria, everyone. Even if you don't stay friends with the people you meet freshman year, they act as a springboard to meet even more new people. The people you meet are an invaluble resource for study groups, job searches, and just relieving stress.

College is a new and excting adventure to all incoming freshmen and it is hard to decide the right fit for you. Try to engage in the real campus like for a weekday or weekend before making it your final decision. Once you are there, give it a chance. What you though you wanted before may not be what you actually want. be open to all types of environments, people, and activities. Try some of each and branch out to get everything you can out of your college experience.

Do a lot of research, and have an idea of what you want to do and what kind of a school you want.

I would say to the student to find out what it is about themselves that they wish best to improve on. If youre shy and you want to make friends go to a large school like uconn. If youre a bit lazy and you want to get motivated to to a face paced school like NYU, etc. This is the opportunity you should take to grow and learn about yourself, and change to become the person you want to be.

Don't put too much pressure on your kids-let them figure it out but be there for support!

As for the right college I strongly feel that a student needs to imagine where they will be in ten years and see if that school can take him or her there. Now the best piece of college advice I can give anyone is to be open to new things. College is about getting lost then finding yourself. Don't get me wrong college should be focused on learning and doing well in school, however, your going to meet some of your best friends in college and have some of the greatest experiences at the same time. So my advice would be to study and make the grades, but also to relax a little bit and lose yourself in the moments that surround you. The reason I say this is because real life never ends but college does.

The most important thing about chosing the right college for the individual is creating the right "fit". for me, UConn was the absolute perfect fit i was ever going to get; not only did it have an exceptional nursing program, but had hundreds of clubs and organizations that I could join when I was not in the classroom. i went to a bigger high school and knew that i would want to attend a larger sized college; if the individual ever wanted to change his or her major, the options are there with a larger school. although academics are the main reason why a student attends college, the experience also includes getting involved with the campus community and making lifelong friends; both which are completely possible at UConn for me!