Xavier University of Louisiana Top Questions

I only have a few words of advice. FIND A COLLEGE THAT WOULD MAKE EITHER YOU OR YOUR CHILD HAPPY. Somewhere were they feel like they can shine academically but at the sametime socially. I have learned that thats the two most important aspects of college.

I would suggest for parents and students making the best decison for a productive college experience is to know yourself and your capabilities. If you are able to visit the schools in which you are interested in to see if you are comfortable at the campus. Try to get some feedback from students who attend the school. Make a list of what you expect to gain in terms of major, social orginizations, and career placement to see if that particular school fits your need. But it all reflects back to knowing yourself and what you expect to gain from your college life.

Make sure you choose a school that is going to cater to your desire to learn, not just your career ambitions. Knowledge is something no one can take from you and with an unsettled economy, it is the only thing you're guaranteed to keep.

The best advice for parents and students seeking to find the most rewarding collegiate experience is to notice EVERYTHING when visiting a school. The college/university selected will be the student's home/workplace for an extended period of time. College is an investment, and the selection thereof should be taken into careful consideration. Location, demographics, teacher/student ratio- these are all factors that must be considered when making the final decision to enroll. I attended Xavier University of Louisiana for three years, and graduated with Honors a year early. Though employers are impressed when reviewing my resume, few if any are aware of everything I experienced in order to obtain that degree. I had a flawless freshman year, a sophmore year flooded by Hurricane Katrina, and a senior year full of ambition yet marked by an abusive marriage and quick annulment. Life continues while in school. That's why it's utterly important to make sure that the selection you've made is one that inspires you regardless of how the world may crumble around you. I loved my college years. Be ready to learn, have fun and make mistakes--you'll live like never before.

I would tell parents and students to think about what the student wants the most out of their college experience. Whether it be the overall learning experience, research, the culture, the college atmosphere, etc. I would also say pick a school that brings forth the best in you. Do not pick a school in a close proximity to your home because you are still in your comfort zone, college is a time to discover what you want to do for the rest of your life. So choose wisely.

The best advice I would give to parents and/ or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to really research the school that you and/ or your child is really interested in. Make sure you actually go to the university to visit to see where you may or may not be the following fall, spring or summer. When you do make these college trips make sure you ask questions; remember that a question is not stupid, unless it goes unasked. When information is given to you, make sure you take heed to everything that is being said to you. To make teh most of the college experience is just to be you. Being you draws individuals who want to hang-out with you. Surround yourself with individuals who want to go somewhere in life and seem to have ddrive to become who they want to be when they graduate from undergad. Make the most of your experience. All work and not play is usually not as healthy as your parents want you to behave. Take responsiblities for your actions and how you perceive things. Other than that just be you and pray.

I recommend visting the school prior to accepting the offer of acceptance. I would also recommend that they sit in on some classes and talk to current students about their experiences at the school. That would give them a better idea of whether or not that particular school is right for them.

Make sure you visit your prospective colleges before-hand. If possible sit in on a lecture or two and see if it fits you. Parents do not force your opinion on your children. Give them encouragement and helpful advice, but let them make the final decision. Once you are at college, get involved. Remember your number one goal is to graduate, but no one likes a dull person so have fun. Pick your friends wisely. Make relationships with your professors, it will help you in the end. Most of all these are the best years of your life so carpe diem (seize the day)!

Know yourself and go with what feels right. If you feel like you don't belong on a campus, don't attend. To get the most out of your experience, be involved with just about anything. You will come across a lot of people who you don't share a lot of things in common. Its okay. Getting to know them will expand your vision of the world and make you a better person by adapting some of their traits, giving them some of your own, and just being able to handle the fact that everyone isn't like you.

I work with the youth at my church who are graduating seniors. I put together workshops that teach them skills and help identify resources that will help them. Each student has different goals, ambitions, likes and dislikes. All of those things need to be taken into careful consideration when choosing a college. The best thing that I can usually tell them is that the four years they spend in school will go by quickly, and then they will be facing the rest of thier lives. They need to make sure they know what is important to them, not just something that thier parents and relatives think suitable. They need to see it as a launching point, and think beyond that. If they see college as thier destination, they will be too shortsighted. I encourage them to not just pursue what they think will bring in a lot of money, but to find out how they can make money using thier unique talents and gifts. Parents who are able to encourage thier children to excell in whatever they choose, rather than controlling thier choice too much usually help thier child to suceed more because they are more confident and self assured.