University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Top Questions

I would tell students to definatley visit the school and ask yourself If you can really see yourself studying there. I origionally thought I wanted to be in the city but when I visited UNH, which was just a random school i applied to I absolutley fell in love with it and knew I wanted to be there.

It is important to look at the college you plan to attend ahead of time and pick one where you feel at home. If you are uncomfortable with your living environment it is very difficult to do well in school. It is important to do well in school, but is just as important to have fun on campus with extra-curricular activities and with your new friends. It is very difficult to do both if you are feeling out of place in your environment. Don't just go some where you haven't seen because it is likely that it might not be the exact place for you and you'll end up transfering.

When I first started looking at college, there were so many to choose from, I felt overwhelmed. I started my search looking all over the US and the world. But after visiting a few colleges in the area, I realized that unless I visited a place, I really had no sense for what it would be like to go there. My firmest bit of advice to any parent or student would be to visit the place they are considering before they make a decision. It is not only the place where you will get an education, it will also be your home for the next four years. When I looked around and noticed the diversity of students in their interests and thinking, the diversity in majors, and the amount of activities that went on around campus, I knew that I would be entering into an active community that cared about enhancing the students' quality of life. As I met with facutly that was encouraging and supportive of me, I realized that another part of knowing whether you would feel at home in a place would be to meet with the people involved in your major.

When searching for the right college i would suggest that students and parents discuss the location, academic quality and social environment of the colleges of interest. The location can be particularly important because the costs of in and out of state universities can differ greatly. The cost can also be determined by the reputation or size of the university, so that should weigh moderately on your choices. The quality of education should be the greatest determining factor of your search criteria. You don't want to attend a college that is expensive but has more of a reputation for being a party school with low academic credentials. Lastly, you will absolutely want to attend a college that has a diverse and stimulating social environment. Not only can it privide comfort and enjoyment, it can supplement the academic environment through discussion, group work and activities. Once you attend a college of choice, it is best for you to become fully invested in the social and academic environment. Experiment with a variety of classes early on to find a more specified field of study and become involved in activities that interest you the most in order to grow academically and socially.

To find the right school, I think that there's nothing more important than simply going to the campus and seeing how you feel. If you go and get a bad feeling, or you don't feel anything at all, then you probably shouldn't go there. Whichever school you chose should give you a good feeling. If you don't visit the school you chose before going there, you might like it, but if you don't, that's something you could have avoided by visiting it before applying. As for making the most of your experience, just try to push yourself to do well, but recognize when you need a break. Try to push yourself with classes that are in your major, but for General Education course, learn to take the courses that are interesting, but won't detract from your really important classes. You will make friends. There is no doubt of that. You will find people that have your interests, especially at a mid to large sized school. Don't worry about making friends!

My advice would be to go into your college experiences without preconcieved ideas of how you think it should be. Be available to change your major, the kind of people you think you like to hang out with and the kind of things you see yourself doing with your time. Being flexible helps you make the most of your college experience and really find out who you are and what you want from your undergraduate degree.

I would first tell parents and/or students to really keep an open mind about what schools you might want to go to. Do not limit yourself to one area and absolutely visit the schools. One of the most important things you can do is visit a school to see if you will enjoy yourself there. Also once you get to school, get involved. I am apart a few student organizations now and I love it. Getting involved on campus is the best way to make friends and have fun. You will really get to know your campus and appreciate it if you get involved. Lastly keep an open mind. You are about to enter into a community that will be filled with diverse people and ideas. Listen to all of them and learn from everyone, and you will do just fine.

In making your college desicion, the advice I would give is make sure the college you choose is the college you love, not the college your parents love or all your friends are going to. I would make sure it has everything possible to benefit you and that you are looking for. I would research what students do on weekends and how other students like the school. Being active in school is important too it can connect you with people you may have never met through classes under other circumstances. I would make sure teachers are readily available and encourage students to be in contact and make sure you do utilize teachers. Make sure your teachers know who you are, even in a large class they love getting to know their students and you will understand and enjoy the classes more if you know your teacher. Once in college, there are many opportunities, make sure you step out of your comfort zone and try a lot of new things!

Opportunitys are everywhere. Don't let them pass you by. Join a club. Join a sport. Be active in the campus community. Study abroad. Be open-minded. Have fun!!!

Be sure to visit the campus of the schools you are interested in, and if you have the opportunity do an overnight stay. Do not make a decision just based on the descriptions listed in college guidebooks or school sponsered tours and orientations. Remember the people you talk to at school sponsered events are chosen to portray the school in its best light. Take time to walk the campus and ask passing students for their opinion of the school to get a more honest and likely more accurate picture of the school. Sit in on a class or two, eat in the dining hall and try to get a better idea what it is actually like to attend and live at the school. Don't forget to check out the surroundings of the school as well!