Michael
Research, Research, Research. Do not go with your first college you looked at. Make sure to check out at least five options so you dont end up in a place you dont want to be. Give the smaller schools a chance, they usually have better class sizes and you will get a better one on one experience with teachers.
Brent
I would find a college that is well diverse and has plenty of educational opportunities. Weber State University has this to offer. I find that a college who is focused and has a well diversed poplulation can give you an excellent head start in the career field. You must find a college that is focused and not a party school.
Marissa
My advice would be to have an idea of what your carreer choice is. Then the next step is research! Find the best school for your profession and then they requirements for this school. The most important element to making the most out of your college experience is to work hard and learn as much as you can. Find people you enjoy being around and you will not be dissapointed with the choices you have made for your future.
Amie
Parents and students should consider cost, the area around the school, and most importantly the student population and activities offered by the school. College is where people learn the skills needed for their future careers, and in order to be successful, they need to be happy with the school they are attending. It is important for prospective students to find a university which has the appropriate balance of academic opportunity and social opportunity for them, some personalities need more social interaction while others need a more quiet atmosphere to be academically successful. Parents and students must decide what their needs are and then find the school that best fits those needs.
andrea
Study hard and dont let the first day of instructors saying this is a hard class intimidate you, if you do the work you will get the grade.
David
If your finances might land you in a school you hadn?t originally planned to attend, just remember that the most important aspect of your education is your education. A degree in your field is not a wise substitution for useful and applicable knowledge.
Ashley
I would advise that you not only look at the school you will be attending but also the town in which the student will live. I would argue that a students living situation is just as important as the school in which they are attending. Make sure you have the opportunity to get involved in not only school activities but also the community. All of these things combined will give you a better school experience. Make sure that you only fill your time with things that you can handle. Give yourself a break and leave time for yourself. Sit down and read a book for pleasure or watch a movie. Don't overschedule yourself because eventually you loose focus. Trust me.
Nikki
Decide what it is you want to get out of your college experience. If you want to make a lot of friends and participate in a lot of extracurricular activiites look for a school that has a lot of those options available. If you are just concerned with getting a degree, go to a school that doesn't focus on a lot of undergraduate research. I feel that my college experience has been such a positive impact on my personal as well as academic life because it fit my needs.
Kristin
First, find the courage to, then sit down and have a brutally honest chat with yourself about what is truely important to YOU, what interests you, what you want for and out of your life and what you are and are not willing to do to get it. Write it down and find a college that will allow you to live and learn the way that's best for you.
Take some diverse generals first, even if you think you know what you want to go in to. You'd be suprised how your views on the world and your future can change in a year on your own. Then repeat step one and adjust course as necisary.
Lastly, remember to take time to live - join the band or the swing dance club, make genuine friends and serve people. Keep a positive attitude and remember that just because everyone else says it's fun doesn't mean it will do any good for you.
Carina
During my senior year of high school, I received at least fifty college applications every week. Overwhelmed, I approached my high school councilor. She suggested I visit the universities I was considering. I thought this was a silly idea?what could I learn from visiting a college?
Needless to say, I continued to visit colleges until one day I understood what she meant. My first choice college was the one that was right in line with my ideal dream of what a college should be. Two years into my degree I can say that I made the correct choice. If I could give college freshman one piece of advice it would be to get involved. Get to know the decision makers on campus. They know all the ins and outs of the college?and they can pass that knowledge on to you.
My first year of college was spent in regret because I didn?t attend the campus activities or meetings. My second year of college has been a blast; I have never had this much fun?and is all because I chose to get involved. College only comes around once?make the best of it while you can.