Western Washington University Top Questions

As impossible as it sounds, try to follow your brains, heart and instinct equally. Do research, visit prospective campuses and find a school that will help you achieve your goals and dreams. Make sure you feel safe and comfortable on campus and around town, surrounding yourself with people who aspire for greatness in the same manners as yourself. It's going to be a bumpy ride, the adventure will be nothing short of trying-times, but always remember that you're not alone. Get involved on campus, participate in your environment and be an active member of the community. Always think optimistically, even when things are tough, brighter days are always just around the corner. That means a lot coming from a student who lives in 'sunny' Washington State! :) Be true to yourself, and you'll know it's the right school for you the instant you find it.

Consult a senior in the major you are interested in at your prospective college to see if they were able to get their prerequisite courses when they needed them. Avoid colleges where you may have to wait two or three years to get into prereq classes. If you are academically focused, find a college that does not focus heavily on sports--there will be more funding available for educational programs. I personally enjoy the fact that my college does not have a major sports team or Greek life--students mesh together much more easily in both academic and social situations. Finally, find out if the professors in your chosen major really teach, or if they have TAs do it while they do research. Professors who live for their research rarely make good lecturers; professors who live to teach make excellent, knowledgable, oftentimes entertaining lecturers that are easy to learn from and approach during office hours.

College is an experience that is about much more than simply obtaining a degree. It?s the time and place where a student is enabled to grow and progress- mentally, emotionally, socially, and, for some, spiritually. It is a common clich? that college is a time for consumption of drugs and alcohol, but this is a false generalization. Those college students who get the most out of their experience learn quickly that futile vices such as these distract from the ultimate goal: to have a memorable experience. Many questions need to be answered before choosing which educational/vocational institution to delve into to obtain the ultimate college experience. It?s important to understand, however, that no matter where you end up choosing to spend your college career, it will be as good of an experience as you make it. You see, it?s not necessarily imperative that you spend a fortune on your college education. The most important thing is that you?re comfortable living, learning and growing in the environment that you choose. The few years that you invest into your college experience will stay with you for the remainder of your life, so make the best of them.

Make sure you love the place you are going to. Make sure that you set aside enough time for school, working while studying is often a necessity but if it interferes with your education then it creates a conflict that requires a decision. Definitely put aside your insecurities and predispositions and just dive right in at college, you'll have a lot more fun and be able to learn a lot more if you aren't concerned about little issues. Don't be afraid to try new things, college is a great place to get to know yourself and you'll never know what you could like if you just give it a try. Join clubs, meet people, get out and do new things. You can learn a lot at college inside and outside the classroom. Don't be afraid to ask questions, to instructors and fellow students alike.

College is the first time in your life when you really get to explore who you are and what you want out of life, so you have to make sure that you go some place that will encourage you in the right direction of your dreams. Go somewhere where you feel safe, loved, and inspired to be all that you can be. Don't pick the biggest school in the state because that's where all of your friends are going or because it has a large population of attractive men or women, because in the long run, this is all about you and only you. Go to a school because it has an awesome pre-med program, because the campus makes you feel comfortable and safe, or because it has a supportive learning environment. The college you pick will determine the rest of your life - make sure it is the one that will make you the most successful, supportive and most of all, happy. Good luck!

If I had to give advice to a student looking for the right college I would tell them to throw their imediate expectations out the window. Incoming freshman like to belive that they have decided their major and that nothing is going to change their mind; and because of this they may be looking at schools based on only one element. Ask any second year student and they will tell you that they have switched majors dozens of times. I believe this is because of the simple fact that college changes who you are. So in looking for a college make your decision based on what the school has to offer as a whole. The best way to do this is to talk with the students that attend there. I see students as products of their environment; they can tell you much more than an informative pamphlet. And remember you are not only paying for an education you are paying for a life long experience.

Just be open to any experience that might come your way. Be open to meeting new people and be adventerous because this is the one time in your life that you can really do whatever, whenever. The people you meet will be amazing and the memories will last forever.

Make sure that you have plenty of money saved up so that does not become an issue you run into through out the year. Also, don't apply to a very large school if you do not feel comfortable in that kind of atmosphere, pick what feels right to you. Don't apply to a school with a bad reputation for partying if that is not your thing, you might not enjoy it at all.

Go check out the colleges before you commit to one. Look at the lecture halls, the dorms, the dining halls, rec facilities. Ask tons of questions to see if a college is the right one for you. Once you pick one try new things, get out of the dorm and meet new people. Make sure to study as simple as that sounds it's easy to get behind if you don't pay attention.

Place, weather, urban city rural, class sizes, transportation, variety of majors offered people change there mind, extra curricular activities