West Virginia University Institute of Technology Top Questions

The grass is as green as you make it, Emilee. Taking the easy way out, abiding by others’ rules and recommendations, moving away and attending a school because someone else goes there, following in someone else’s footsteps—these will not bring you bliss. You must create the life you want. Pursuing a dream not your own will not allow you personal growth. It will not give you fulfillment, or reward you with the self-acceptance you greatly desire. Be true to yourself; trust your intuition and when that voice in your heart says this is your calling and sings with joy, believe it because it is never wrong. Follow your passion and strive, everything else will fall into place.

Going back in time would be a very helpful thing for me. I would be able to teach myself how to properly study for college classes, how to manage my money, and many other useful tricks. In high school, I did not need to study much, if at all, to do well. When I went to college, it was a different story. I have picked up ways that help me and they would have been a great help my freshman year. I would have made sure I worked as long and as frequently as possible to make the maximum amount I could before school started to help pay it off. I would give advice to myself that would help me save some cash in the long run. Most importantly, I would have probably reccomended going to WVU instead of Tech because I started to dread living there in the middle of nowhere.

I would have to say that for the first few years of college consider somewhere close thats similar to how the student grew up. Choose a school that is well within your budget while trying to win scholarships by way of tests and contests. Remember that no matter how difficult it seems, or how crazy things get at times, to just hang in there because it is the end result that matters most; the journey is only the beginning.

Go visit before you go anywhere and stay the night during the school week. Walk around. Visit all colleges you have intrest in, don't limit your self.

Look for a place that is going to be sociabally friendly and a school where your student would most likely have the best chances to succeed!

i would tell parents to allow their children to make the decision. their kids are growing up and they need to let them start making decisions of their own. i would tell the students to pick a school that is in their "comfort" range from home. that is one of the top things (if they're homesick they cant learn). next they need to pick a school that can prepare them for a career they want to do. the last thing is very important but is one of the last things you should look at: where your friends are going. its tough for some people to make new friends so some people may want to go with a friend. last, they need to take in to consideration their parents views.

Really think of what you want to be the rest of your life. Get as much information about the college as you can before making any plans.

Be sure of what you want to continue to do for your life long career, and be sure you will be happy doing it. This will help tremendously when deciding your choice of school, and where to attend. To make the most of your college experience you need to be outgoing, and open minded to others views, because college is more diverse than high schools usually are.

In high school I never had to try very hard, everything came fairly easy for me. College is different. The classes become much more difficult. I wasn't prepared as far as study habits go. One thing I would tell prosepective students is to accuire good study skills early on. Don't wait until you have a very difficult class or test to learn how to study. Another thing I would recommend is to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Even if you don't win all of them its important to try because you may win at least some of them. Any little bit of money helps when funding your education. If you have enough scholarships, then you won't have to worry about paying for school and can focus on your studies.

The most obvious advice is the best. Visit colleges, spend the night there if you can, get to know the students and get their personal opinions on the school. Do your research, make sure the people who are teaching you now what their talking about. Most of all, don't be afraid to make a mistake. If you pick a college, go for a semester, and hate it, you can always transfer. Be honnest with yourself, this is your chance for college. If you're a parent, this is your daughter or son's chance, dont be hasty to make this decision based on pressure from someone else. Mom and Dad are only with you for the move in and out days, the rest of the time you have to be there, you have to eat the food, and you have to take the classes, and interact with your fellow students. You're an adult now, your advisors are going to concider you one and you have to assume responsibility. Make sure you like the place you're at, and if all else fails, don't be afraid to leave and find something else.