University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Top Questions

I would recommend that both parents and students think about learning style and what environment would work best with that learning style. If a student prefers to learn in a smaller environment, a school with a large student population may not be the best fit. At the University of New Hampshire, many general education classes are taught in large lecture halls, while many classes specific to a major are taught in small classes with very attentive, helpful professors. This works well with my learning style, as I enjoy working as a team with classmates in lecture, but also appreciate the thoughtful discussions that take place in small classes between students and professors. The next piece of advice I would give parents and students is to find a college that inspires students to go above and beyond classroom learning. I know from experience that college is more than just reading and writing-- it's about hands on learning and taking the initiative to get to know the career you want. Look for a school that encourages students to seek internships and get involved in the community!

Visit, talk to people who attend the college you are interested in, think about weather conditions, social entertainment, academic prestige.

First off, to the students, do not go to a college just because your friends are going there. They may be able to provide some anxillary relief when surrounded by thousands of new faces, but otherwise your life there may not be what you would hope it to be. Be sure to participate in activities during your stay, for any extra beneficial tasks make both the time go faster, and make the time that you are spending there more rewarding. After my first year at school, I do regret not getting outside of my degree studies, as I feel I missed out on a lot of opportunity that I had wanted to receive in the first place. Finding the right college is impossible, as nothing out there can meet all of your dreams. If there was, it'd be impossible to afford and get into. It's all about choosing which college you would most like to study in. Going with your gut is most often the best advisable route. The worst possible thing to do is to create a giant list and be forced to pick through it more than once, for doubt manifests itself in long lists.

learn to adapt and just not be a little bitch about it

It is very important for the student to be the most involved in the college selection process. My mother was very hands on which was helpful but also made me feel overwhelmed at times. The student is the one who will be spending the next few years at the school, so they should be the one who makes the ultimate decision. After spending a few years in college, I realize that what I wanted in a school a few years ago does not reflect how I feel after living the college experience. Therefore, I highly recommend kids to spend a night or two at an actual college just to get a feel for how things actually work.

It's important for the student to make a list of what they want to get out of college, and as the visit/research schools, look for ones that fulfill your list. Don't be afraid to talk to people. If you have people who went to your High School and are going to Schools that you are looking at see if you can contact them to ask them questions then don't hold back! Don't listen to you're parents when they say "You're there for your education." You're not, you're here for an experience and you want it to be the best it can be. When you get to college, you have to put yourself out there as much as you can so that you can better yourself, academically, intellectually, and socially. In the end, you're in college to better yourself. You're only going to learn by doing. Talk to you're professors, join lots of orgs/intramurall sports, go to the different retreats the schools has. Take advantage of as much as you can. You're paying for it. You're money goes to funding all those extracurricular activities. DO IT!

Do college tours and make sure that you can picture yourself living there for four years. Don't pick a school just because it has a good program for what you want to do.

Just go with your heart. School is about learning about life, not just facts. The people you meet will be your friends for life. If you have a dream school you can find a way to get there.

Find a place that just suites you and your style. It all depends on how close you want to be to home or if u want to be far away from home. Then you have to consider the size of the college. One of my friends who is from up north couldn't handle being in a big college like mine since he is from a very rural town. So he transfered to a smaller college at teh end of the year. It's all a matter of how comfortable you feel and if your willing to push the boundaries on your comfort zone. Your going to need to push those boundaries in order to discover yourself and to truly experience the college experience.

Get comfortable where you live. Look into theme housing, if you're interested- go for it. Join a student organization and do not get sucked into the drinking culture. If anyone pressures you into, they aren't worth hanging around. Find out about diversity! It's there, but its hard for the diversity groups to reach everyone on campus. Reach for them, they'll return the favor. Get to know the people on your floor/in your dorm. You can make friends for life, don't freak out if you don't meet them right away, you will. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! GO TO CLASS!!!!