Willamette University Top Questions

Go and visit, sit in on classes and try and meet with people/students that are involved in activities or sports that you want to participate it. Decided whether you want to go to a small liberal arts college with small classes or a huge university with lecture halls for hundreds or students. Don't stress to the extreme when picking a college. Your college experience will be whatever you make out of it, no matter where you end up.

Parents should let their children choose for themselves. It is ultimately their decision and they have to live there for four years. Students no matter what school you choose you'll be there for some time so make the best of it. Choose the one that will make you happiest not your parents.

Visiting the school helps tremendously--get an idea of the type of school you want to attend, and if it doesn't feel right, if you feel for any reason that you will not enjoy attending the school, than no matter how amazing the school is, you should go somewhere else. You are planning on spending four years of your life at your college, and you are going to be meeting and spending important years with people that will affect you for years to come. Always make sure you have a right fit, because it's worth it and it can make all the difference in the world.

I just wanted my opinion heard.

I would advise finding a college that challenges you personally as well as academically. The old adage of choosing a college because you feel comfortable there or because you feel you belong will not bring you significant growth as a person. Choose a college away from home and high school friends that will be filled with students from different back-grounds and life experiences.

Look for a place that feels right, a flyer or piece of mail that interests you and check it out.

don't let money change which schools you apply to. I pay less to go here than I would at a public school.

Your college experience is decided by one person, and that is you! College is what you make of it, so make the most you can. Sign up for interesting classes or clubs, go to your professor's office hours, introduce yourself to new people. The actual college you choose will only play a small part in your college experience, because you ultimately decide what kind of experience you will have.

Spend plenty of time researching the area surrounding the school. Having a good time at school has a lot to do with the campus surroundings. Find out if your major is offered by the school and what opportunities are available once you receive that degree. Choose a school based on your personality. If you like big groups of people choose a school with a lot of kids so you can make a lot of different friends. If you'd rather have fewer friends with more intimate relationships, a smaller setting might be best. Students should find what types of extra curricular activities are available also. Also, I think it's important to choose a school based on its location. If you like big cities or rural areas, or close to the beach or the mountains, you should make your decision largely based on this. Finally, do not make your decision based on its proximity to your house. If you fall in love with a school, it should not matter where it is in regards to where you grew up.

Follow your dreams, and don't be afraid to dream big. Aim high, and don't be afraid to fall short from time to time. Learn from your successes, and learn from your failures. Stretch out, move beyond your boundaries. Don't ever be afraid to try new things. College is a time to seek out new experiences, and to learn and define who you really are, instead of letting others decide for you. Don't try to define yourself in the first year of college. Take a variety of classes in different subjects, and decide what it is that you really enjoy. College will you give you an unprecedented level of freedom both academically and socially. Exercise this. And above all, remain positive. Things will not always go your way. You will have bad days, but you will also have good days. And if you keep a positive, upbeat attitude, you will find that the bad days aren't as terrible as they could be, and that the good days may be some of the best of your life. Go ahead and be anxious; it is only normal to worry. But don't be afraid. You will have fun.