University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

The process of selelcting and attending a college can be downright overwhelming, especially for families new to the process. I remember being extremely anxious myself, and I would have loved to have heard advice from someone who had been there before me. The advice I can give is simple and applies throughout the college process: involved yourself and follow you heart. Be an advocate for yourself and do your homework abotu colleges, and visit the ones your interested in attending. The same goes for making the most out of your college experience once you arrive. Seriously investigate clubs or activities that interest you, and try them out. My second piece of advice comes in after you have looked at everything logically. Actually place yourself at the college you are looking at choosing and follow your emotions. You'll know if you feel comfortable on the campus or in the club or group. Even if something looks good on paper, it does not mean you will experience that emotional connection. The best way to make the most of your college and your experience ultimately is to look with your head and listen with your heart.

Be open to anything! There are so many opportunites and experiences available in college. Visit all the colleges you apply to; often the right college will just click when you get the right one. College is best experience you can ever have, and there are so many activities to engage in, whether in social life, extracurriculars, or volunteering. Bonding with professors is essential for success as well, and making friends who share your interests but are also diverse in ideas as well as backgrounds is easy! Study hard, but don't forget to live.

Make sure the schools you look at reach out to all your child(ren)'s needs. Make sure it is academically challenging without overwhleming them. Make sure there are activities and clubs they can get involved with. Make sure there are career and tutoring centers where they can take advantage of the resources offered by the University or College. Make sure they can balance their school work and being involved on campus, because both are vital to having an enriching experience in college and help them be more openminded about the future after college. Life isn't about working yourself to the bone with no fun and its not about having so much fun your are wreckless; college should help you find the medium between the two and teach you the responsibility you will need to know that will follow you after you graduate.

Find a school where you know you will be happy; it's the most important ingredient to success. If you're not happy, you won't perform at your best. Make sure the college you pick has extracirriculars that appeal to you, and a student body that you feel like you can fit in with. At the same time, don't pick a school based soley on one thing, like playing for the soccer team. Go to a school with a major you want, activities you like, and students similar to you.

To the student - Make sure you are going to school because you want to be there. Know that your education is truely what you want and know why you want it. Do not register for school simply because it is what is expected of you, and you 'want' a higher education. Wanting it without knowing why is not enough. Explore your world and yourself, find out who you are and what YOU want. Once you have done that find the schools that offer the degree you want. Then pick a school in an area that you find intreging; a place that you are going to enjoy studying outside, inside, on campus and off. A campus and the surrounding area should offer activities that will engage your heart as well as your mind. Also, find a campus with a wide variety of culture and diversity in the student body. You can learn something from everyone you just have to listen; the more diversity the more there is to learn.

Look at all your choices. It's going to be about you, not your family or friends. When you get there get involved as much as you can and if you get the opportunity to live on campus do it. It is the best way to fit in and make the most out of the college experience. If you can't try and branch out from yourself. You don't have to be the same person you were in high school. Feel free to open up and get to know people, becuase the reality is they are in the same position and are just as scared as you are. Don't shelter yourself out and try and be a little more outgoing. It will pay off in the end. Also try and get to know your professors and connect with them, once you hit the junior/senior years it will help you to know the accredited professors who can help you witht he first job. Be yourself and you will find out things about yourself in college you have never known. Most importantly time manage the social/academic life, because both as important.

Make sure to visit the campus during the regular school year! Familiarize yourself with the size of the campus and classes. Also, read reviews and ratings on-line and don't forget to check the tuition price. And apply for financial aid early!!!

Check out the campus first.

My advice would be to make sure you know what it is that you want to do if you plan on attending a university. If you're undecided go to community college. Its cheaper and you have more time to explore and decide what it is that you want to do. As far as a University dont let your parents decide for you. Take there advice and listen to them they are wiser than you, but you also dont want to be in a college that isnt for you or that you dont like. Choosing a college is a big decision. Make sure you visit some of the colleges before you enroll. When you get to college stay focused and use all the resources that are available to you. Especially if your in a big school make sure you use all of those resources because it is hard to get one on one time with the teacher.