Bridgewater State University Top Questions

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

Nicole

I was accepted to Boston University but attended Bridgewater State College instead. I grew up in the lower middle class and there was in no way enough money to attend the college of my dreams. However, now I believe that you do not need to pay $50,000 a year for a school. At BSC I have two majors and a minor and my dream of going to law school seems more and more likely to come true. My advice is that the most expensive schools are not the only schools, and not going to them is by no means the end of the world. Any college education is a good think whether you go to a community college, a state school, or a pribate University. As long as you put your mind to it you can graduate from anywhere and be whatever you want to be.

Jason

Finding the right college is something learned by finding who you are as a person. Some people are made for the big university experience with parties, large classrooms, and big social events, while others like the small town college with close groups of friends and nothing too crazy in their surroundings. And of coursethere are people in between. To make the most of your college experience, you have to know what kind of a person you are, and what you enjoy doing. If you like the big college scene, then go for it and do what makes you happy. When you get to college, it may take a while, but be who you are and surround yourself with good people, and everything should take care of itself. You'll meet new friends, stay close to some, and transform into someone who should make your family proud.

Sara

Get involved with some kind of club or organization.

Charlene

visit every campus and make sure that not only do you like everything about the academics and organizations but you feel the campus and it feels right.

Colleen

Really think about what it would be like to be stuk on that campus without a car. I went to Westfield State my first year of school and i hated it. I didnt like it because without a car you couldn't go anywhere! I was stuck on a boring campus without a lot going on. At Bridgewater you can walk to anything you would need: grocery store, convient stores, fast food, good resturants. Also, look into the future and see what the off campus houseing is like. Make sure your not ogin to have to drive to school in the morning. Having off camous housing in walking distance to the campus is always better. Also ask students who are doing the same major as you what the program at that school is like.

Brittany

Take school tours.

Kendra

Find a place where the student can enjoy themselves, but also recieve a good education. Be open to new ideas and try to make as many new friends as you can. Attend events, eat dinner with someone new and do your homework!

Kerri

Make sure you look at school sizes. Big schools can be over whelming, and small schools may not offer all you want. When a student gets to school, they need to realize there aren't cliques like there were in high school. Every one is there to meet a variety of people. Just go out and have fun; make the best of school.

Nelsy

Let your child choose they school that best fits them

Jesse

Don't chose you major based on what will make you money, but based on what you really like to do and you will be happy with where you end up, and might even be making good money. Parents should back their kids with whatever they want to do because the only approval kids really seek is that of their parents. That being said, kids don't let your parents down, because they're the ones that brought you up.

Paul

Look at the best education you can get. The amount of money it costs to go to a school is obviously going to be a factor because you are in essence buying a degree, and the value of your degree is usually based on how much money you spent to get it, which most assume equates to the value of the education you recieved. My school is a pretty cheap public college that has been working to become a university for the better half of the last decade and is constantly working to be the best college it can be because it has a lot to prove. I've learned a lot from my professors because they have a lot they want to teach me. An environment where everyone is looking to get the best out of everyone helps everyone out.

Jamie

When seeking a college, it is most important to figure out if you want to stay in state, or go out of state. It is important to assess this because if you are out of state, you will be paying higher tuition fees. if you stay in state you have a more focused group of schools, that re generally cheaper. Then, do some research about the administration, go there yourself and talk to some financial aid offices etc. Get the feel for the school. You will be able to make a decision once you see the different administration tactics. You will find which school sits best with you. The next would be to researcht he specific mjajor focuses the college has. What the college is known for is usually imporant in decidingwhat school is best for you. You want a school that has a reputation in your field of major. Get FAFSA done early, and keep up on the loan apps.

Annalisa

Everything about picking a school is important. I think it's really important for students to know about the payment of the school, scholarships, majors/minors, traveling, commuting or dorming on campus, how big the campus is, if a student can get help at the library, food, gym, clubs/sports, laundry room, attending a lot of events, enter the school with an open mind this is the time to have fun and figure out what you like and what you don't like to do.

Greg

Looking for a college for me was a difficult choice but once I narrowed it down into what i wanted it made it that much easier. I looked at the population and the location first as i feel those are the most importatn to me. Then i applied to the schools that fit that criteria. I mean don't get me wrong the education aspect had to be there to but if you go to a college like duke and enter there worst program as long as you say you went to duke i dont think ur future employer will worry all to much.

Andrea

Make sure you visit the school. If you don't like it. Chances are you won't like your classes. Try to live on campus and get involved. If not you'll regret it. Look into all the classes on-line. And try to make sure it's everything you want. Do not settle for anything less, because you will definitly regret it in the end. If the school is more expensive than you can afford, look for financial aid, or take out loans. It's better to pay it off later, and get what you want for school. You only have this college experience once.

Corinna

The advice I would give about finding the right college is to pick a school that fits your needs. You need to think about whether you want to live at home or on campus, whether or not you can afford the school, and if the school offers what you want to study.

Katie

To look at all the options for majors and minors as well as the school programs for job related activities including internships, resume building, and shadow opportunities. Also consider the faculty and what you hope to get from them in each classroom setting. The professors need to inspire you to do well in the course because they make it fun and interesting. Another point to consider is the price of the school. Does the tuition balance well with the quality of the education or is it completely unbalanced and which way does it lean? All of these points are key in choosing the correct college or university.

Katie

Try out a lot of schools...and see what is out there. Don't pick the first one and be open to everything- try to do an overnight orientation to see what the school is really like, not just the show that tour give you- which aren't the real feeling of the school.

Amy

When looking for the right college, students should first concentrate on a school that has the program that they really want. Next look for a safe and comfortable environment including school size, academic standing, extracurricular options, school population, and of course, dorms and food. Choose a school that is close enough or far enough away from home. If you are a person who loves to be around your family and friends, you might want to stay close to home - at least in the first two years. If you love adventure - go forth! College is stressful enough without adding any pressure. Cost matters. If you choose a college or university that is beyond your means, you will pay for it in more ways than debt. There is nothing worse than being worried about the basic needs in life. Choose a school that is an all around fit for your academic, social, personal, spiritual, and financial needs. Finally, take advantage of every opportunity offered to you. Search the school's website ahead of time and find out which academic and volunteer opportunites, extracurricular activities, and school wide clubs you will investigate. If you start out right, you'll end up right!

Chelsea

Living on campus provides a better, more fulfilling college experience. Friendships that will last a lifetime will be made in the crummy dorms.

justin

look at the diversity and students on campus. The more people the bigger chance of finding frinds, which are a great college opportunity.

Darcie

I believe that it is very important for a person to find a good schol that they like. By liking your school it make you wqant to do better and by doing beter you wll be able to find something that you love to do and you will succeed in the career of your choice.

danielle

Get Involved!

Alyssa

Make sure you visit the campus- more than once if you need it. Try the food, and experience the outside campus life. It will really help you decide - it did for me.

Colleen

The best advice I would give any incoming college freshman that I also did not know before I interned with the State Department is to research the faculty in the desired program at different schools. There are many undergraduate faluty members that have had extensive field experience and other useful jobs before becoming a college professor and being able to pick their brains is absolutely fascinating. College professors are the backbone of every school and once a student decides on a college, really make the effort to get to know these people. This is the beginning of easy and excellent networking that can help land a job in the future.

Lisa

I would try to pick the college of your choice. Dont ever settle.