University of Maryland-Baltimore County Top Questions

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I would tell myself that going to community college and then transferring to a four year college would be the smartest thing I ever do. That it is possible to have a fulfilling college experience while commuting everyday and having both a learning and a physical disability. That the professors will challenge me and make me really stop and think about what I know, how I think, and why I think the way I do. That the friends that I will make will be some of the greatest people in my life, and that while the work is sometimes very challenging to do, it's worth it. That it's not a problem to ask for help when I need it and that the people here really want me to succeed. That my advisor cares enough about me personally to ask me what I like to do and what I think my options are, so that she can keep an eye out for internships that I'd be interested in. That it's okay to not be perfect and that the transition is going to be weird, but that it passes quickly.

I would say plan ahead with regards like financial aid and academic hsitory.

When finding the right college, I would encourage students to seek friends who are current students at the prospective college so that they can learn about the school's atmosphere from a student prospective. Most of what is place in college brocheres is generalized information; this information does not always convey the actual environment. It is very helpful to visit the campus while classes are in session because you can guage what an average school day is like. Talking to current students and exploring the campus were very crucial to me deciding where I wanted to go. In the end, I feel I made the best choice of where I will develop as a young scholar and future leader.

Really sit down and take a look at what you think you would like to do in the long run for a job. I know most students have no idea what they want to do starting out, and some still dont know even after having been in college for a few years. If you do have an idea, take a look at any and all colleges that offer that sort of program or are known for it, and apply to all of them. Then make your decision from there. If you have no idea, apply to all of the reasonably priced schools that look appealing and apply to all of those. That way if you decide on a major and that school is not one you like, you have not wasted a lot of money on an expensive school for no reason. Also, some community colleges are an amazing start for students and can even be better academically than some of the universities.

Dear Parents and Students, Picking and choosing a college isn't all about the future, but rather, who the individual is and what they want in the present. Many students come into college thinking that they're going to fly right through, get a degree, and have a job by the time they graduate. However this isn't the case. Many students come to realize that they have to be mature adults when they're really not and they will eventually have to start earning while also going to school in order to fund their education. Pick a school because of its academic program and their finiacial package. Don't be fooled by nice architecture and a 'fun' environment. Take into account what you and your parents will have to do in order to get through the next four years. Its not hard, but its not that easy either. Have fun, study hard, and don't forget your responsiblities and priorities. I cannot emphasize this enough, but please remember to fill out your FAFSA so that the financial isn't that tough on your family. Welcome to college! Hang tight and have a blast! Sincerely, Mahnoor Siddiqui.

Always do your work, its better than nothing. The only way to keep up on your work is to be accountable, that means either making lists, using the agenda book or even an online calender. This leads to organization. The only tool you need to succeed in college is the ability to pull sane and logical order out of the inevitable chaos caused by the attempt of individual students to balance work, a social life and their academic careers. Don't be stubborn, your new and have no reason to not get help for everything and anything, don't figure this out the hard way. The motto to follow is: "Do it". Try everything, get a taste, then you will learn how to deal with stress. Do it right at the start, it is critical you learn to handle stress. Stress is that force from many things that presses on you as you do more tasks than normal. It forces you to act and you will learn from those actions, whether they are good or bad choices, it doesn't matter. Everyone learns from their mistakes.

Go to community college. Get an idea of what you want to do and find a college that fits. Do well in community college and let scholarships put you through the final two years.

My advice for parents and students would be to plan ahead for college. There are three main factors that are included in making the most out of the college experience. The first factor is financial preparedness. College is very expensive and it is important that parents have a financial plan for the child's college career. Financial difficulties can add stress to the student which can lead to poor academic outcomes. The second factor is discovering the students academic interest at an early age. Students should be exposed to various career fields throughout their primary education and receive specialized guidance during secondary school to help discover their career interest. Discovering a career field/major at a young age can help relieve the feeling of frustration and uncertainty during the college years. Lastly, students and parents should discuss the many aspects of college frequently. College is one of the greatest experiences of life and parents and students can work together to make the best of it.

Finding the right college starts with the needs of the student. Define your actual needs in a college, not petty wants. If your unsure about your major, do research, shadow or ask a professor about the content of their work. Making the most of the college experience begins with putting academics first and a social life second. College is a place for learning a developing - not a place to learn how to bindge drink. It's also important to not neglect the fact that your peers are an valuable asset to learning. One way to make the most out of your experience is to find a group of friends with study habits most like your own. This way the group can study and hang out at the same time. Don't waste money on entertainment - get involved in campus activities and social groups on campus. Know what resources are avaliable through your college and use them whenever possible.