University of Florida Top Questions

Find a way to afford to send the student there. Having a job is a huge burden on a student. Even more so if it is their first job.

First, identify what public universities are affordable and nearby where you live. Being nearby ones family usually helps with the college experience and public universities can offer very good education without the high price of a private institution. Second, identify whether or not one wants to pursue a college career in which financial security and practicality is the ultimate goal, or whether one wants to follow his/her passions. I have been told by both parents and professors to follow one's passions and not be swayed by fitting a college career around the job market. This is, of course, up to the student in question. In the present economy, a financially secure job might be prudent. There are plenty of people who seperate their "work" from their "fun" with family and friends; a job being just a boring place to secure wealth. I would challenge such thinking in that it is better to be fullfilled and secure then unhappy and wealthy. By deciding a path, one can be more confident in the classes one chooses. Finally, it is important to socialize and make friends. In someways, this is the most important and yet overlooked part of college. Know thyself.

I think the most important thing to consider when choosing a college is what you want to do with your degree. That said, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my degree and am still unsure, though I loved my university and would not have wanted to do anything differently. If you don't know what career you want to have, then choosing the right college for you might be difficult. In this case, it's important to choose a college with academic diversity. A diverse university will also have diverse groups of people and activities to participate in, ensuring a satisfying college experience. From my undergraduate experience, I think the bigger the university, the better. Though I entered college not knowing anyone and was not the most outgoing person, I never felt isolated and was constantly enthralled by the diverse opportunities my university offered me.

When parents and students are finding the right colleges they should apply to as many as possible, and keep their options open because the school that you may be so sure won't accept you might be the one that will. Thats what happened to me with university of florida. make sure that the schools you apply to have all that you need, you don't want to get there and realize that the schools has nothing to offer you. DO YOU RSEARCH!!! that can't be stressed enough, alot of times parents and their children don't get along during this stage, it can be a very stressful time so just relax a little. when you get to the college of your choice make sure that you take advantage of everything on campus, and alot of times if you can't find help with something it's there i promise, just look. Enjoy and have fun but please stay focused because things could change very rapidly if not. Budget your money and you will be fine, and always keep intouch with your family, trust me, it will get hard and you will need them. make the best of life.

I would give my advice to the prospective student, because its your future and education, not the parents. Thoroughly look at many colleges and the offered majors, please do not go to a school based on where your friends are going. It will be a hard decision but you do not want to look back and regret that you could have done better for yourself. Also if you have a job start saving now or you will regret it , and if you dont have a job maybe pick up a part time job so you dont have to work full time in college while going to school full time. Practice good study habits now because I have seen very smart people who never had to study in high school fail out. With that said do not be scared or nervous. It will be the best time of your life! You will grow up and change in so many ways you never thought were possibly. Follow your own heart, not anyone elses (parents), because in the end you will be the one living with yourself, career and all.

As a senior, I have much advice to give about college, especially selecting and making the most of one's college experience. As far as choosing one, I would take tours, one official tour through the University, and one unofficial one with a friend who may attend the school. Get a real feel for the surroundings and determine whether you can see yourself there. The only way to pick is to explore all the options. To make the most of the college, honestly, don't let the school work get in the way. You are there to learn, but not in the way you think. The book will always have more to be read than you will actually get to; don't spend so much time studying tha you miss out. When your an Alumni (as I soon will be) it's not the theories or equations you remember (the important stuff you will learn in more than one class), but it's the friendships and the times you spent enjoying being a quasi-adult before the real world took over. Work hard, but play hard and you will learn that the key to success is balance.

I would advice parents and students to start looking early, while in high school, for the right college. College is extremely competitive and you want to make sure you have all of your bases covered before you start applying. The most important thing to do while looking for a college is to visit all of the colleges you're interested in. You have to see if it's somewhere you'd be comfortable living at and spending a majority of your time at. Talking to advisors, professors, and students while you're there also proved to be extremely beneficial to me while I was looking for a college. And since you're not going to spend all of your time in classes and studying, look for a college that has great extra-curricular activities or fun things to do around town. I know I picked Gainesville because it was a college town and I felt more comfortable being there than in a big city atmosphere. Reminded me more of home, just with a lot more kids my age.

just go with your heart!

Go visit the school. If you have friends that go there stay with them so that you can really see what it is like. Also make sure you know what you want in a school and reasearch schools that could fit the criteria.

It helps when you're going to college, to know what you want to do with your life, because then you can pick a school that way. However, if you don't know, like most, pick the school that's going to help you find out. I'm not just talking about a career but about who you are as a person and what you want to get out of life. Of course, evaluate the basics, such as cost and location, what majors the school has, or what the dorms are like. Look at the types of organizations the school has, such as sororities and fraternities, honor societies and cultural organizations. Diversity isn't just about demographics, but about the different groups that exist on one campus. Also, find out whether there are a lot of opportunities for community service. A lot of what you get out of college is what you put in, so make sure that the college gives you ample opportunity to give back. Also, don't forget about your preferences. College can get rough sometimes. Don't make it harder than it needs to be by going to Minnesota when you know you hate the cold.