University of Maine at Farmington Top Questions

Don't settle for less. Don't listen if other people say you can't do something. You can do anything, and you can do it well, if you just work hard enough. It will pay off. I know you've been struggling with a lot of things, but don't lose your motivation. You can be great. And if you fail, don't let it bring you down. Just try harder next time, not for your parents, not for your friends, but for yourself and your own well-being and self-efficacy. Strive to be the best you can be. Gain knowledge and pass it on to others. Also don't be afraid to ask for help if you are struggling with a problem. Noone will think any less of you because you cannot solve it on your own. Just like you are always willing to help others, they will gladly help you.

Senior year of high school is a very intimidating period in one's life. It's the end of one era and the beginning of an entirely different one. No matter who you are or where you are in life when you are a high school senior, your graduation day marks the day that your life will change. The moment when you are handed your diploma is a moment of freedom, and your first day of college is the day an entirely new life begins. Even if you don't know from day one what degree you want or what you will do with it, you are already well on your way from day one. You are also about to enter a period of incredible change. Embrace it. The person you will be when you receive your degree is absolutely not going to be the same person you were when you started your freshman year. Don't be afraid. College is going to give you every academic, social, mental, and emotional tool you need to become whoever it is you are going to be when you graduate. Seek it out. Take advantage of it. Do not be afraid of it.

You need to visit the school. If you visit and find that you don't like the looks of it, you probably won't enjoy it. In order to make the most of your college experience, you need to find the right college.

Finding the right college for you or your child is important because of many reasons. If you or your child is not comfortable at their school then not only will they suffer emotionally but also academically. The last thing a student can do is focus on work to be done when they are not happy with their school. Finding the right college for you or your child is imperative for the success of the students academic career, social career, and future career. For myself, playing sports and the ability to feel like a big fish in a small pond was what I needed to feel comfortable in the right college for me.

Come here is you want a small town feel. There are few parties, drugs, crimes, and many of the things normally assiciated with college. It's a very safe community. Be motivated, if you are not, you will find yourself bored on nights and weekends.

Visiting the college is definitely key. It can really help make your mind. Make sure that the students are shown around by other students, it allows the coming in students to get all the questions they have off their chest and they can see the "true" side of the college/university.

The best piece of advise I can give to parents and students is to go visit schools. Schools can look and sound amazing online or in catalogs but a lot of time, you don't know if a school is right for you until you've been there. I never would've chosen my school if I hadn't gone to visit it; now I can't imagine going anywhere else. Find what fits you, not your friends or your parents. Also, work your tail off in high school so that you don't have to work as hard in college; get good grades, apply for lots of scholarships, and save your money -- my biggest regret in college is that I don't get to do as much as I want because I have to work two jobs to pay my bills. You miss out on a lot.

Trust your instincts.

try to find the best school for yourself/child and take into account any personal needs--don't just attend a school beceause its a "good school." And don't be afraid to transfer!!

My advice to parents and students is that they should research the career opportunities within the major the student is planning to take. They should ask about opportunities for hands on learning or whichever way that they are better able to learn, as well as class size and environment that they are comfortable learning in, at the campuses that the student is considering attending. The student should ask for a tour around the campus. They should tour the residences, food service area, and classrooms to get a feeling of the environment. I would suggest asking any questions the student may have, when they are on the tour or with an admissions counselor. Also, I would suggest learning about the surrounding towns and the amenities to the area including housing, parks, recreation, and job and volunteer opportunities. The student may need to look at their past performance and what they believe are their strengths and why, this may help them to determine which college is right for them. Overall, finding a campus that the student is comfortable and where they are able to be involved will make the time more meaningful, and possibly more fulfilling.