University of Florida Top Questions

Keep your options open - figure out what kind of things you like to do or want to be doing, but don't settle on anything and write it into stone. So many students change their minds - and their majors - during their college career - usually more than once. Don't be afraid of that as a student - and parents, please don't assume that it's a bad thing for your student to change their mind! Too many students can feel trapped into pursuing something that's not right for them just because they - or their parents - initially chose one path. College shows you just how many different paths there are to choose from and sometimes it can take a while to sort through the good and the bad. And as much as college is about getting the grades, it's also about life experience. Have fun. Learn about other people. Do things outside of your major. Do things outside of your comfort zone! If you don't figure out what the world is like when you're in college, you'll have a harder time trying to figure it out after four years have gone by. Do what you want!

When choosing a university, I believe that the best thing to think about is the college experience that you will get out of attending school there. College is one of the last chances you have to simply be a kid, while learning the responsibilities and skills that you will need later in life. I recommend attending college away from home, as hard as it may be for some families to deal with. If you don't get that full college experience of living on your own, meeting friends, and starting fresh in a new environment, you will be asking yourself "what if?" for the rest of your life. College is what you make of it, and the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Choose a university that will get you involved socially and with different organizations as well. Weigh the benefits and negatives of attending a large university over a smaller, private university. This is your only chance to be a college student, and you have to choose the university that will provide you the best four years of your life.

Make sure you go visit the school when classes are in session so you can get the feel of the campus. Make sure you know if you want a big school and all the things that come with it : good football and large classes.

In all honesty, if a school is your dream school, find a way to go there. Money will be found if you really try for what you desire. There are scholarships, loans, or just good old fashioned hard work. If you want something, don't settle, get what you really want, it will make the experience so much better. When it comes time to visit colleges, take a tour, stay there for a day or two, observe and see if you like the environment. Make sure that wherever you want to go is a place that you feel comfortable being, especially if its away from home.

There are many factors that go into picking the best college for both the student and the parent. It depends on the personalities and financial situations of the family members. If the student is a very independent soul I would definately suggest in going out of state if so desired. I personally was deterred from going out of state due to financial restrictions. If money were not an issue I would love the experience of going farther away. Students should also look for the programs that a college offers and the reputation of those programs. Even if the student doesn't know what they want to do in life they might want to pick a school in which there are alot of highly esteemed programs available so they have alot of choices for their future. Though some parents might not want thier kids to decide a school on the social aspect I definatly think that it should factor into the decision making process. Do they want to join certain clubs, or do they want to live in a city with lots to do or a small town? Ultimately it should be up to the student to make the best decision.

I would tell students to choose a school where they can have the most fun. Learning is learning wherever you go, but the things you will remember are the people and the parties, not the formulas from class. 4 years is a long time to be lonely and bored. Also, pick a major that will be fun for you, as well as one with a high job potential. If you don't like doing it for 4 years, you will HATE doing it for the rest of your life!

Parents need to think about what is best for the development of their child. They need to put aside their thoughts of wanting to keep the child close by and focus on the right institution for them. In order to make most of the college experience, you need to be open-minded and disciplined at the same time. It is very important to create a schedule for yourself so you have a healthy balance of study time and play time.

There is no right formula to "finding the right college"; it's really just a gut feeling. I made my decision purely on a financial basis; UF and Florida were the cheapest college, so I decided to come here. In retrospect, it wasn't the best decision and if I had to do it again I would've gone with my gut feeling and went with my first choice college in Philadelphia. Still, I definitely enjoy nearly every aspect of college life here at UF. Even if you end up deciding that the college you picked wasn't the best for you, you can still have a great college experience. Being a fan of football, it was easy for me to fall in love with UF football and the Gator football team. Every college always has something that interests you; getting involved helped me adjust and become happier as time went on. Despite UF not being my first choice school, I've still come to love it.

In selecting the right college and making the most of your experience, choose an institution that will dedicate back to you all that you will dedicate to it. Like anything in life, attending a univeristy is a basis for a relationship. The University provides a network of mentors, colleagues, and experiences you can only walk away with if you can provide the time to allow the relationship to flourish. I have found that by diving into my studies whole-heartedly, the knowledge I gain will prepare me for what lies ahead in my career. Attending social events on and off-campus, has created ground for bridges to be built among future leaders. By participating in club activities and supporting a cause I am passionate about, I have gained the practicality to experience the joy a difference can make. They say that "life is what you make it". So go out there and make the most of your life; but most importantly, make the most of your dreams.

When thinking about what advice I would give parents to help quide their child in selecting a school I think of location and overall goals. One thing which I personally did not take into much consideration was the location of my school. Gainesville is a small town without much more than the school and locals. I am someone who likes to explore cities and probably would have preferred a school in a larger city. I also think that parents need to help their kids focus on their overall goals in college and what they might want to do with a degree, or what type of degree they should pursue. Parents should try to take some extra time to help explore different degrees, career oportunities, and available schools. Many of my fellow students still have no idea of what they want to do and many have wasted years, and thousands of dollars, taking classes which were unecessary. I think that going to a school which is in a location you like, and can also provide you with the necessary skills for your future would make for a very happy college exprience.