Arizona State University-Tempe Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Ruby

The best advice I can give to another student about finding the right collge and making the most of the college experience is to come into college with an open mind. Colleges have endless about of information, ideas, opinions, etc. about every thing that is known by man kind. One will never stop learning, and it is better to have an open mind than to have a closed minded one. I also believe that when making a choice of what college is best for them, one should really consider their "gut feeling" and feel comfortable that that is the right school for them.

Shaenyce

I would tell them to visit the college first and try to mingle with students. If you are going to a school far away and have no idea what campus life or the other students will be like, then there may be troubles with getting along with others or simply liking the school in the first place.

Jackie

Maturity, direction and discipline are important factors regarding success at the university level because distractions and obstacles are great, thereby lessening focus and delaying degree's completion. It is important for students to know their talents, weaknesses, and comfort level to better succeed in their chosen career path and institution. Choosing friends who are as equally focused is important for emotional stability, encouragement, networking, and happiness. Learning how to multi-task and balance a healthy, active lifestyle are traits of successful students. I would advise parents to support their children to live on-campus with at least two successful years of study before entrusting them to the greater responsibilites involving off-campus housing. I would also advise parents to let their children learn emotional independence and accountability during this transitional time to ensure the succussful working-professional status their child is striving for. Above all, keeping the lines of communicaion open is critical for parent and student as both enter a new life-chapter. If respect and maturity are reciprocated, the exchange will be equally rewarding.

April

The location means a lot , if you dont like cold weather stay away from teh East Coast .

Chelsea

I really believe parents and students should check out everything about the school. Go on a campus visit and really talk to an advisor. When you get stressed in college, i.e. class, paper or test, remember that it will be over soon enough and just try hard. Freshman year is quite a transition and from my experience I wish I could redo it to bring up my GPA. Explore your options and have fun!

Michelle

Find somewhere where you feel you belong.

Ashley

Decide what you are looking for in a college, what is your main focus? Eliminate the schools that don't fit your comfort zone but don't forget to branch out as well, it's the only way to grow as an individual. Once you have chosen your list of schools (it's important to have fall back schools), go visit the campuses and talk with the students attending that college as well as the faculty teaching there. Also look into the resources available to you and your parents in order to make your transition easier, the more you ask for help the more likely you are to receive it. Once you have decided on a school take a semester to have fun and learn what it's all about then add on extracurricular activities and get involved, find your niche. Once you have experienced what your major will be like you will know how much time to alot for extra things. Stay focused but have fun as well, meet new people and be open to new things and you will do just fine.

Nico

My advice to students is to treat college like a business. College is not a time to mess around. Your course work should be taken seriously. Show up on time, actively listen to the lectures, and devote plenty of time outside of class to your studies. Just know, that this is preparing you for the future, so grab it by the horns. I also recommend incoming students get involved in either internships, clubs, or volunteer work. It will provide you with contacts and experience that could prove vital to your future. For parents, my advice is to enjoy the experience and encourage your kids as much as possible. This is a big time in their life, and they need your support. Don't come down on them too hard for mistakes, because they will happen. Support them and encourage them to find themselves and be the best they can possible be. Another thing, I would encourage students to believe that anything is possible with hard work. Don't be scared and say that college is hard and I don't know if I can do it. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Nicholas

look for a college that has a good career field that you are interested in, don't go to college and not know what you want to have as a career, it's a waste of tim and money. Look on the internet for careers that you could be interested in and apply to a school that has a good program in that specific field

Lindsey

Make sure your son/daughter gets to make the final decision and not the parent because you'll end up having a kid who's probably miserable at the school you chose for them. Let them be independent, free, and experience there four years in college as they would want to experience it.

Patrick

The first and most important thing, is make sure the school has the ability to teach what the student wants to learn. and then I would encourage both students and parents to find a college that would make the student feel as comfortable as possible. There will already be a guarunteed amount of stress that will come from trying to earn good grades and understanding what is being taught, so every little factor you can control you should. For example, I chose Arizona State University for me because I may continue to live near friends and family, lower tuition costs, and also I love the warmth. These three factors that I was able to control have led me to having a great first year and a half, and I love the school more because of them. There are many other factors that contribute to the amount of comfort a student has (like perhaps social atmosphere) and those are all student preferences. The more comfortable a student is, the better he or she can learn, and that is why colleges came about.

Allison

Find a college that you will feel comfortable at, that is involved in the same things you are interested in, and that follows your beliefs or morals. Do not go to a college to fit in with friends, instead, go to one that you know will pay off in the end. Good education and an awesome learning experience will be what is most important in your college years.

Emma

Go with your heart! If you don't like the town a college is in, reconsider. You might not be living there forever, and if you like the college itself, you'll be happy anywhere. Take classes that you like in high school. Make sure that the college of your choice offers these subjects as majors, and more. Don't take no for an answer; be polite, persistent, and persuasive in trying to change what you believe to be an unfair grade, or a biased university rule. Join a club that fights for something, anything, because in articulating what you believe you'll become more firm a believer. Talk to lots of people, especially upperclassmen and professors (or college kids and teachers in high school)--find out how they got where they are now. Don't be afraid to ask questions or jump headfirst into fun activities, but be safe and don't overindulge in anything (don't indulge AT ALL if it's illegal, it'll ruin your experience big time!). Be bold in making your class choices; take lots of courses in varied subjects. You never know what you'll excel in, or fall in love with.

Matt

Make sure you take into account the ranking of the school but most inportantly you need to be in a place you will enjoy. This is where you will spend at least 4 years of your life and need to enjoy yourself.

Jettie

Try to plan ahead. The more things you can prepare yourself for, the less stressed out you will be. If you have a plan for your finances (will you have a job? will your parents finance you? do you have scholarships?), schoolwork (what major will I go after? BA/BS degree, or Masters?), and other "nitty-gritty" stuff like that, you can concentrate on learning all the life lessons that college has to offer you. You are entering an amazing world where you will stretch your wings and learn to rely on yourself for the first time ever. It's exhilerating and a little scary at times. But know that there are always great resources on campous to help you out with finding a job, getting therapy, tutoring and study groups, etc. Just take a little time to research what your school has to offer.

Mike

The advice I would give to students about finding the right college is to look in your own home state first. It's good to have a few friends at school with you to ease the transition and your parents might not be as mad about a D in Chemistry when they're paying $10,000 a year instead of $30,000. Live on campus your first year because it's a clean slate to meet new people, but DO go to class. Take it easy your first semester with the course load, probably around 9 credit hours. You have no idea how much time doing everyday stuff like going to the grocery store will drain. If possible, never take a class before 10AM. Also, while taking Friday's off is practically a tradition, stacking all of your courses on to 2 or 3 days of the week is a sure way to stress yourself out. Save up money the Summer before school so you can focus on class instread of working. Most of all, remember that you can learn a lot of cool stuff if you just pay attention in class.

John

Make sure that when you visit a college that you find somebody that goes there to take you around for a day and a night to find out if it really is everything that you've heard about it. Arizona State's current president is a complete moron and has been driving the school in a direction that none of the students or alumni would like to see it go, yet he takes this route because of his biggest supporter's massive donations.

Amanda

Find a campus that you would love walking around-you'll be doing this a lot. Also, find a school that provides you with exceptional places to study as well as places to hang out off of campus. Moreover, it is very important to find a school that offesr a program that fits your future well.

Vanessa

Think about what you truly are looking for. For example, If you going to school and want the "whole experience" go to a university that no only offers emphasis on education, but also socialization and student involvement. The biggest thing though in choosing, choose a school with large school pride. Pride in ones school enhances everything else about it.

Daniel

There are hundreds of criteria for choosing a school and it becomes very hard to decide which things matter more. I think it is imperitive to visit a college a few times, trying out the cafeterias, sitting in on classes, finding out about clubs, seeing the real dorm rooms (not just the "display" dorm rooms), meeting faculty in your department (and your second choice department!), attending club/organization meetings, checking out the facilities beyond what the tours show, and asking a variety of students there how their experience has been. Once you have visited several schools, you will have a much more confident and comfortable paradigm of which aspects of a school are important to you. Furthermore, I would urge you to avoid racking up large loans. Go to a school that is affordable for you. Keep an eye out for new scholarships, and let yourself ease into the college life before trying to work a job while studying. Take several classes outside your field, get to know your professors (and not always by just asking for help). Get plugged into two or three clubs as soon as you can. Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, and academically.

Joshua

College is a learning experience. Its a time in your life that prepares you for the rest of your life. Have fun with it while knowing why you are there in the first place. As well as take the time to get to know the college while you are there. Don't just be another statistic to the mass. Be an architect, an athlete, artist, designer, anything that you want to be. If you want to get it done work hard, but just as well get out and meet people. College is a time to try new things, take risks, look for and find your place in the world that is ours. Everyone has their place, make your claim and show it off to the world. Be smart and make educated choices, study when you need to, sleep when you can, and have fun when you're all done. It's college, learn in it, live it, love it!

ATash

I believe that the overall atmosphere of a college is what is important. People should pick their college based on their personality, as well as what they find important in a school. If grades and academics are important to someone, they should find a school that places a lot of importance on grades and competition. Students should also keep in mind if they are outgoing, and want to be involved in extracurricular activities, because they should consider this in the amount of time they have aside from studying. Picking a college is not as stressful or condemning as it may seem. Most colleges are very similar, with only their emphasis on academics and social life seperating them. However, there is always another side to every story. Even at ASU, quite the upbeat, outgoing school, there is a place for conservatives and shy people. Anyone can fair well at any school: it lies in the person to make that choice. An optimistic outlook is the key to success in life, which includes making the most of the college experience.

marissa

The education you get is based on what you put into it. You can attend a low-cost, public state university and get the same education that you would at an Ivy League school, if you spend time with your professors, read your materials, go to class, and engage yourself and others.

Amy

Be sure to look into all your options. Visit all the campuses in person and arrange to sit in on classes if possible. Try to get a good feel of what the campus and the community is like before committing to a school.

Lauren

Choosing which college to attend can be an overwhelming and exhausting task. There are many aspects to consider. The school should not only excel academically, but it should also offer many resources, social activities, and opportunities. Although there are numerous aspects to consider, I personally believe there are three major areas that are the basis for one's decision: size of the school, location of the school, and degrees offered by the school. The size of a school makes a big impact on the amount of social activities and resources offered. Larger schools offer more social opportunities and academic options. Smaller schools tend to be more hyper-focused on specific sports, activities, and resource areas. In addition, the location of the school makes a big difference as well. Living on campus, laundry, parking, having a vehicle, and visiting family is all dependent upon how close the school is to home. And finally, attending a school with degrees specific to your interests is key. If you choose to switch majors, make sure there are other options available that appeal to you. Although there are many aspects to consider, it's important to find a school that fits you and your needs.

Cody

To consdiering students and parents, look at the big picture. Always allocate more money and funds than the school 'claims' you need. Do not rely on anyone else, research everything on your own and dont believe a word from anyone else. Get your degree and get out. School today are run like businesses and want your money and even more money. Finish school and get out as quick as possible.

Devon

I would suggest to students and their parents that they first research some of the lesser known facets of the colleges they have in mind. Some aspects are more important to some people than others, and I think many people overlook that. If you are interested in research, look at the reputation of your schools as research institutions. If you are interested in the social aspect, first determine if the academics are good enough for your standards, and then look at the surrounding areas and opportunities your schools offer for social interaction. One thing I learned is do not let finances be your deciding factor. You would be suprised at how much money top schools are willing to give you to have you be a part of their student body. Apply for scholarships, grants, and if necessary, student loans. Also consider a part-time job or work study to help cover living expenses. Challenge yourself, but not at the expense of overwhelming yourself. Take your time, and make the most out of college. You only get one first chance.

Celeste

My advice would be to get into as many colleges as you can and to choose somewhere where you would want to be. It is very important to tour the college before making the decision, but don't choose a college solely on academics.

Katherine

The advice I would give to a student or parent to find the right school: 1) Tour the school 2) speak with students attending the school 3) Shadow a student in the field of your interest for a day 4) Go to the department of your major and speak with the counselor 5) speak with student in the program you are interested 6) Get a head start and complete all the necessary paperwork in advance 7) Be flexible

Leigh

I would tell parents and students to find a balance between academia and extra-curricular activites when looking for the perfect school. Make sure the environment is right for you, as you will be there for at least 4 years! Find a school that is confortable in size for you, and somewhere that you will not get lost. If the student is not overly outgoing, they will easily get lost in a large school and may thrive more in a more intimate school environment. Another important thing to remember is that choosing a school is not such a final process. There is always the option of transferring, etc. Basically, just find a place that seems right for you at the time and make the most of it.

Emily

My best advice about finding the right college is to visit each school and see where you feel the most confortable. It wasn't until I flew out to Phoenix that I realized that Arizona State was where I wanted to be. Really take in to consideration the program's available for what you want to do as well. It's easier to go farther from home when your school is providing you the best education possible for your major. Once you get to school get involved. Most schools have hundreds of organizations to get involved with, anything from Greek Life to Residential Life to the political groups on campus. Getting involved either with something you want to learn or something you're already really passionate about makes the whole experience worthwhile, and helps during that freshman year when most students miss home. You'll get stressed and be on the point of breaking some times from doing too many things, but you only get four years to spend in college and you might as well make the most out of them.

Trang

Be prepared for a big school and know what your getting into

Roxanne

I think that when looking for a college, first you need to look at what your needs are. What are you going to major in? What are you interested in if you don't know your major? What can you find yourself doing in 10 years? Look around for colleges that have programs that would help you accomplish your career dream. Next, look for an environment that you feel comfortable in, such as, being in an urban or rural area. Look for a campus that would increase your cultural awareness. The world is diverse, and it's a good idea to know all the diversities that go with it. Look for a school with helpful employees so you can get a smile even if you are having a bad day. Look for a school that offers tutoring and places to study so you will not get behind in your studies. Look for a school with a student body that is mostly happy and satisfied. This will make your experience better, giving you new friends, possibly job opportunites, new study partners, and a feeling of a home away from home.

Eva

Make sure that you are getting the education that you are paying for. Also, make sure that you are ready for college, it is difficult. Don't be there to only party, go to class. And above all, go to your teacher's office hours and ask questions, or review that weeks lectures.

HyunJu

Visit the schools that you are interested in. It definitely helps to actually see what the environment of the school is like. Also, talking with the students at the school definitely helps. Another thing I would recommend doing is going to a class and actually getting the "college experience" prior to coming to the college. Find out about the schools that you are interested in as much as possible. Pick the schools that "you" want to go, not someone else. Also, another thing: if you are unsure about your major, I would pick a school that offers variety of majors (usually bigger schools) with competitive qualities. In that sense, I think my school was a good choice for me since I switched my major this year. You never know how you major is going to change so do not pick a school that only offers limited majors unless you are 99.99999.....{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure about the major. Good luck.

Esther

Pick one that has your major, has a good reputation for your major, offers support, and encourages student involvement. Actually get involved, it will help your grades to have friends you can ask about stuff. Have fun.

Alisia

Find a college that is close to home, because you will regret going to a college far away.

Austin

Just visit many campuses, and go where it feels right.

Abigail

I think that research and college visits help the college process a lot. I never visited my school before I went there, and it was 3,000 miles away from my home. Even though now I love it, I was initially faced with culture shock. Also, be prepared for the college workload. It is very overwhelming and can be extremely difficult at times, though it is worth it. Also, get involved with as much as you can. It really helps and looks good on a resume as well. Do all that you can to prepare yourself for the real world while you are in college. Go to all of your classes, take good notes, and study well in advance for test. You can learn so much if you apply yourself.

Reico

Pick a school that fits your style best. If you do not like the party atmosphere or if you are very into your studies focus in on the school that fits that profile. It might not be your first choice as a school but it will be the one you have the best chance of graduating from.

Kristina

When selecting a college, you should take into consideration your personality as well as your academic goals. There are most likely many schools which will allow you to get a degree in the major of your choice and adequately prepare you for the career you desire. So, to distinguish between them, try to get a feel for the personality of the campus by visiting and spending time with students and faculty, to find out whether it is a campus where you could fit in easily. You don't want to spend four years at a school you don't enjoy, even if you're getting high-quality academic training. Another thing which is often left unmentioned but which can affect the quality of your college experience is the proximity of the school to your family. If you're using college as a time to start life on your own, than you may not want to select a school too near to your family; however, if you have a close relationship with your family and want to maintain that during college, you may want to select a school that is nearer to where your family lives.

Zareen

Go to class.

Benjamin

Finding the right college is a very difficult task. Unless you know exactly what field you want to get into, almost any college is applicable. The best advice that I have to offer is to forget about what you think you want to go into, and make sure to choose a school that you can fit in well socially. There is no harder task for a freshman than going to a new school and trying to make new friends. If you struggle with this task, you can quickly lose your focus on school and get off to a poor start. In order to make the most of your experience while in college, you have to be yourself. Do not try to pretend that you are someone that you are not, and do not try to impress anyone by being fake. It sounds simple, but it is very easy to get caught up in the popularity contest that is college. Parents, please encourage your children to be themselves and give them positive encouragement whenever possible. It did a lot for me and every college student could use it.

Chris

Parents - Your child is ready to transform into a great leader of tomorrow. ASU will help by giving them the CHANCE to continue their education, find their passions in life, learn how to balance their time and money and, consequently ,the importance of being productive and efficient. More importantly, your children will learn incredible life lessons in college that will mold them into the much stronger, more capable adults that they will be when they graduate. Students - Forget what you may have been told in High School about your Junior year being the most important. If you want to make the most out of your college experience, treat every day as if it were your Junior year--from your first class until you have that diploma in your hands. Sure that means growing up faster, but the world is a tough place so its best you use this experience wisely. In your first year you need to learn how to balance your schedule. If you plan to stay organized, always attend class and turn in every assignment, you will be a less stressed student with more free time in your schedule than you ever thought and YOU WILL LOVE IT!

Leigh

Go where you truly want to go. Do not make any exceptions; you are only in college once!

Krista

Choosing the right college for you or your child is a very big decision. It is important to shop around to find the right fit. This should be a family decision, especially if the parent is going to be providing support for his/her student. It is also important to be realistic. You have to ask yourself what it will be like to live on your own, and determine what you can handle. Living on your own and going to college can be a drastic transition if you are not prepared for the challenges that you will face. When you do find that perfect place and move off to college, you have to make the most of it. Those four years will pass you by faster than you could ever imagine. You may not remember every test or every social event but you will remember what came about from those. You will be left with a GPA to reflect the work you did during that time, and you will be left with life long friendships. Don't expect to have free time, but make the time to fit in both school and social events - neither are worth sacrificing.

Megan

Really look at the school, and not just the hype. Go and talk to professors, because these are the people you will be working with for the next 4 plus years. Ask about the food, drugs, sex, and beds....these things are important for you to feel comfortable with the campus.

Raleigh

When you are deciding on which college to attend pay attention to the things that are most important to you and your parents. Do they have the programs you are looking for? Is that program highly renowned? How large is the school and its class sizes? Also pay attention to the extracurricular activities they offer such as greek life and clubs regarding your major. Pick a college you will learn a lot at but also a college that you will have fun doing it at.

Alex

Pick a college that fits the person's personality. A quiet person would most likely benefit more in a smaller university where the teachers have more connectivity with their students as opposed to a really big school. Also look at the schools credentials, that matters, learning from the best can be the best thing for young aspiring students.

Danielle

Choosing the right college for yourself or your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. When choosing the right college for myself, I made a list of criteria that mattered to me in a college. I also made a list of places I would like to live. One of the most important parts of choosing your college is to visit your top choices and get an idea of where you fit in. Get to know the students on the campuses and get a feel for how they live and how they feel about their decision to go to that school. I have made the most out of my college experience by getting involved on campus in greek life, intramural sports, and community service. I have been open to new experiences and new people. I have also been very proactive in my education by visiting office hours and getting to know my professors, using resources such as tutor centers and the library, and forming study groups. College is an incredible experience, and my advice would be to find where you feel most comfortable, and make it home by taking advantage of the opportunities you are given.