University of South Carolina-Columbia Top Questions

My advise to parents and students concerning finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to research colleges and to visit campuses while students are still in school. Tour the campuses, dorms, and other campus facilities at different times of the day. As a parent, talk to other parents and as a student talk to other students on campus. Be realistic about what kind of environment you will be happy in-do not choose a school because your friends or siblings have. Be involved once you have started your college life-that is the most important advise I can give about being happy at college. There are many programs, religious groups, artistic groups, athletic groups, fraternities and sororities, etc. to find your niche and feel a part of the school family. Another important piece of advise would be to be open and honest about your feelings and emotions while attending college. If you experience depression , lonliness, or semse of sinking, contact the counseling department on campus, your parents, mentor, pastor-whoever you feel comfortable talking to. Being away from home and making new friends can be a major adjustment. Seek help and enjoy college life!

The best thing to keep in mind about finding the right college is to find some place that is a home away from home. In the end what makes your college experience worth every penny of the expensive tuition costs is not only that you got a good education, but that the experiences that you had made you who you are when you finish and knowing that if you could start over you would not change a thing. The most important part of your college career is attending a school you like. You should never settle for going to a school that you do not like because chances are you will not be as involved as you could be and therefore not get as much out of the school that you could get if you were involved. A big way to make the most of the college experience is to do whatever is offered. There are so many oppurtunities offered at all colleges that you are only short changing yourself to not take advantage of them while you can. And you should always keep in mind that college doesn't have to be a series of parties to be fun.

The biggest mistake I made in my college search is that I did not begin looking early. By the end of junior year, I had a few schools in mind, but had to pay for the applications and could only afford to apply to five schools. Those schools were picked out of a small group that I had knowledge about, and although I do like my choice, I feel that I could have researched schools a lot better and found the perfect fit, regardless of how close it was to my home. As far as making the most of college, I would say that kids should be sure to get involved in something about which they are passionate. It may take time to find out which activity that is, but once you find it, you'll appreciate that time you took searching in your first semesters. College is the last time you will have the freedom and free time to have fun, learn new things, and make a difference. With that, be sure to maintain a solid grasp on your studies and do not spread yourself too thinly. After all, academics is the reason you are here.

Visit the campus. Ask to attend a class so you can experience how it is to take a class in an auditorium. Do not do what other people aske you to do.

See ALOT

As a senior in high school, I thought I knew what I wanted in a university. I wanted to go , like many students, somewhere with a football program, sororities, and a campus close to the ocean. I did not know what it would take for me to get there, wherever "there" might have been, and neither did my parents. They thought that my guidance councelors would help me. I ended up not even knowing where I was headed on my graduation day. Parents need not nag, just listen to your child, and encourage him or her to go wherever they think there is a program that interests them, interest is a key to success in college. Students, once you have found the right place, and you`ll know when you have, get involved! Even at a division one school, one can find a nitch in a student organization, actually be friends with your professors, and look forward to non-threatening class sizes as a upper-classman. By doing these things,organization, progess and enjoyment will become a natural occurance throughout your college experience.

Go with your gut feeling about which schools feels right. Also remember that if you have never heard of a school before then most future employers havent heard of it either.

My advice to students would be to find a college that as soon as you walk on campus you think "this is it!" I feel that you should do a lot of research into the campus on average class size, average GPA, and also the quality and quantity of all the available facilities on campus to all students. Also, find out about the professors and their availability. Once you have chosen the college you think you want to attend, I feel it is very important to give it a chance. At first it may seem a bit daunting, but it is something new; you have stepped out of your known realm of childhood and truly entered a new world on your own. Find organizations that seem to be a part of who you are, and get involved! Staying involved and making a commitment really enhances your time in college. Also, remember to have fun. It's four years that you can not get back. Unfortunate events will happen, you might even fail a class, but remember that life goes on and learn from your mistakes!

never close any doors and always dream big

In order to find the right college, you need to participate in tours and get advice from other students who attend that school and have chosen the same major as you have. If the school gives you a choice to be able to visit and attend a class, I would highly reccomend you to, so you will be able to see what a college classroom is like; very different from a high school setting. But walk around the campus, get to know the town, because if you choose this college, you will more than likely be stuck here for four or more years. If you get to a college and see that it is not the right fit for you, please switch. If you are not a happy student, then that will reflect in your GPA and that is not good. Life is too short to not enjoy what you are doing.