University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

My advice would be to look at all aspects of the college such as class size, greek life, extracurriculars, majors offered, as well as distance away from home. When choosing a college make sure to also look at what the college has to offer in terms of services and what off-campus life is like as well. You won't spend all your time on campus so you need to like the town. Make the most of your college experience by being yourself. College is a time to discover who you are and persue your dreams. You can't do that by being someone that you are not. Also, don't be afraid to talk to people and try new things! Even though it seems like it will take you forever to finish your degree, time flies! This is should be the happiest time of your life and my advice for that is to find a college where you can work hard and play hard.

I would advise paernts/students to choose the school that is most affordable and caters to the specifications of what you are looking for in terms of your education.

Parents: Don't rush to choose a school. Also, visit each perspetive campus!! It's not enough to just look through fancy brochures. Each college is going to give you impressive photographs. High school is important, but just because your son or daughter had an ACT score of a 35 doesn't mean they are going to wake up and go to that 8 am class or study enough the night before. College takes a good amount of self-discipline and time management. Sure, it can be tons of fun and hopefully the best time of your life, but if your son or daughter goes to college thinking it's going to be all fun and little work than they will be back by Thanksgiving. Students: You should look forward to college and all of the posibilities it presents you, but go in your first semester with a hard-working mentality like you would your carrer. If you learn to only get by in school than that pattern of laziness will go on and follow you the rest of your life.

Make sure you visit the school you want to attend before enrolling in classes.

Do not be afraid to consider a larger college. It is true, the class sizes will be larger; but there will always be someone to work with on your homework or to help with the late night sessions right before the big test. There will always be people to comiserate with over horrible dining hall food and crazy professors. You will meet a diverse group of people and make some of the best friends you will ever have. That is what you are going to college for. It is not just about getting an education in the classroom; it is also about growing and learning as a person.

College is a large financial and time consuming endeavor. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Students, you should think about interests that you enjoy, not just a career and major in which you will make a large sum of money. If you are not happy, the money is not going to be of much comfort. Parents, this is a trying time for you and your student. Be encouraging and enthusiastic with this experience and be their for support. Your children might not have the same goals and ideals as you, so step back and consider this and be their to assist them along the way. Post-secondary education of some kind is imperative in today's global and ever changing economy, so make the decision to pursue this education for your welfare. Good luck and have fun with this, it will be an experience to remember!

Visit the school. Students, don't let your parents control your decision. It is the next four+ years of your life. You need to make the decision. Parents, don't freak out. Let them make their own decisions, not only when it comes to which school, but let them move on to the next chapter in their lives. Do not baby them. You raised them for all these years, it is time for them to grow up and make their own choices, and learn from those choices. Students, don't only focus on school. Find a balance of social life and classes. Get involved. Do anything that intrests you. Don't let money determine where you'll go. Make sure you will be happy with your decision and don't let anything stand in your way!

Love this time in your life!

The first piece of advice that I could give students about finding the right college is not to let anything hold you back. Don't let friends convince you to follow their path: you can make friends where ever you go, and your high school friends will still be there when you graduate. Don't let parents keep you in your hometown if you crave a new scene. Don't let financial concerns overshadow your dreams of attending the perfect university: student loans, scholarships, and part-time jobs are the keys to financial survival, and hey, eventually the college you love will lead you to a career you love so you'll be able to pay off those loans. Next, do everything in your power to be as active on campus as your schedule will allow. Sitting at home watching reruns of Seinfeld isn't nearly as fulfilling as learning from all of the different backgrounds on college campuses. Finally, study abroad. Enough said. Most of us were stuck in our little bubble until college, but there are a billion people and places to discover outside of the United States, and studying abroad is the perfect way to realize that.

Dont make the decision based souly on money. Go where your heart is pulling you.