California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Top Questions

My college and many others provide a great orientation/week of welcome for incoming freshman. They plan out tons of activities and ways of meeting people during the week. The college transition and all the new people were so intimidating I didn't take advantage of all the opportunities provided. I would tell myself to make the most out of the beginning weeks. Get out of my comfort zone and open up to new people. There were always BBQ's and parties happening at the end of the day full of people in my same situation that would have been grateful to make a new friend.

The advice I would give myself is to stay on top of my studies. This is a tough school, things aren't going to come as easy as they used to. Utilize teachers office hours if I need help. They are willing to give up time in their day to help you so go to them. If that is not enough help find a tutor, there are many available on campus. The last thing would be to join clubs and innermural sports. Activities are a good way to take your mind off of school and have fun. It is also a good way to stay in shape in college.

If I were to go back in time and give myself advice about making the transition into college life, I would tell myself to have no fear and make the best out of every single day. College only happens once (for most) and everyday should be spent getting the most out of classes, making new friends, have having new experiences. I would tell myself to not dwell on how far my friends and family are, but focus on making new friends and spending time with family on school breaks. I would tell myself to get involved with clubs and activities on campus from the very begining; leadership is one of the best skills you can possess.

Join in as many clubs as you can and keep in touch with all the friends you meet along the way.

I would tell myself to continue to study hard, and take more AP classes.. I would also tell myself to enjoy high school and keep in touch with all of my friends. I also would encourage myself to get a job and save more money while going to high school, so I wouldn't have to work so often during college. I would enjoy the company of my family and friends more, and never take anything for granted. I would also tell myself to relax and not stress out so much. I would also encourage myself to sign up for more scholarships. Finally I would tell myself to look forward to college because it has been a blast, and wonderful learning experience.

GET INVOLVED!!!!! It is impossible to make new friends and new connections if you do not attend everything you think you might be interested in. Just go for it; don't be shy. College is not all about your grades, and you will need more than grades to land a good internship or a job. Experience it all. Don't hold back. Rather try and mess up, then never try and never know. Give college everything you got, and college will give you everything it's got.

Take every opportunity that comes your way. Go to class every single day, no matter what time it starts. Call your parents often. Meet lots of people.

I thought I was ready for college during senior year, but when I look back on that year I realize now that I wasn't ready. If I could I would go back and tell myself that in college Physics and Calculus are extremely important concepts in Engineering. If I knew that before hand I would have taken those classes before I graduated. In high school, my problem was procrastination and it has even showed itself during college. Looking back I would tell myself how procrastination in college can ruin your grades, with deadlines, labs, homework, it is easier to just get the assignment done and overwith. During high school, it doesn't affect you as much compared as to college. If someone had told me that before I graduated I think my freshman year would have ended a lot better than it had. This is what I would say, "Take as much science and math as you can before you graduate because it will never hurt you; also DO NOT procrastinate. Procrastination only hurts you in the end and makes more work for you. Trust me I've been there and done that."

Don't be scared to jump in. All the anxiety that high school gives you about getting into a prestigious school is not worth your time. College will give you whatever you put into it. Life is too short to be afraid of taking risks. Don't waste time overthinking things and running through every possible negative scenario. If you want to do something do it. If it doesn't work out no harm done.

Above all else, students should visit a potential college and talk to current students before deciding on a college. You will know when you find the right college because it will feel comfortable and make you even more excited about starting school. Current students can truthfully answer questions better than anyone else; their answers are not clouded by a desire to make the school seem irresistable. Campus tours are great for showing you the campus and touring many of the classrooms and labs. Parents should accompany students on the campus tours because tours often give important information for parents, which can make the difference between a parent sending his or her child off with confidence or fear. Once attending college, students should make sure to get involved in clubs or other extracurricular activities. They are an excellent way to make friends and feel connected to your school. Clubs also present opportunities for you to try new activities that you may never have had a chance to try. Just make sure that you are not afraid to be yourself. Parents, let your child enjoy his or her freedom as they become a self-sufficient individual throughout his or her college career.

Start looking for Colleges freshman year of high school. Visit the campuses that appeal to you to further determine a compatability. Take a guided tour to learn more about the school

The first thing you must do is consider the schools from an academic level. Apply to schools that specialize in what you want to do. But how should you know (from 18 years of life) what you want to do for the 40 to 50 years of your life? You don't have to. But think about what you are good at and what you like and see what schools specialize in those areas. Acedemics clearly isn't everything though. You are choosing a home so look into the culture of each school. Go visit the campus and visualize yourself going there. Make sure you'll enjoy life there! Go into school with an open mind. There are all sorts of people to meet and tons of new things to learn. Everyone has something to offer and you can learn from "fools and from sages." Try to see things from other people's perspectives and look at the world from an impartial eye. From the words of Siddhartha Guatama, "belive nothing no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

The right college may not always be your first choice. Sometimes the school you really want doesn't accept you for whatever reason. But regardless of problems that arise, you need to look on the bright side and find a school that's right for you, that has what you want, that you can feel welcome at. Think about what you want to spend the next four years studying about and where you want to be. Whether it's biology or engineering or a city or suburb, you need to figure out what you want and if you'll be happy there. Go to different schools, see all the campuses, and keep your options open. And once you get to the school, try new things; don't be afraid to introduce yourself to people. Join a club or do some kind of extra-curricular activity. Have fun, but don't forget to study. It's all about balance. Do what's best for you, and not what's best for your friends. Enjoy it while it lasts.

As far as advice goes on picking the right campus, I would say that when you go to view the campus make sure that it "feels" right. Once you walk on campus and you can visualize yourself attending that university it makes it so much more real and exciting. Making the most out of your college experience is the whole point of going to college. Some things that will help make the best experience are to never stop trying to make new friends. If you think something is the least bit interesting or intriguing then go and look into it. It may just be your future career.

I would suggest visiting the campus and taking part in aa shadow program as a student.

Do lots of research on the school your looking at. Also, look at what the weathers like at the college, because of allergies can be affected by weather.

The most important thing one must consider is the true desire of the student. If the parents carry a weight in the decision-making of a school it should be purely for the student's best interest, because it is much more difficult for a student to wind up at the wrong school. Faculty and class sizes are important , as well as the overall size of the campus but most likely if the student is happy with the surrounding area and student population, it should be a good fit. Choosing the right college may seem like the hardest decision a young adult has to make which is why it is so important for the student to follow their heart. As far as making the best of a college experience, a positive attitude and strong will for a successful future is the key to finding happiness in college. Being open to new experiences and meeting new people is how people make the memories that last a lifetime and there is no better time than college to discover one's self. It is important to step out of one's comfort zone and enable a new chapter in life to manifest.

visit the campus

No matter what the parents want for their child, it is extremely important to find a school where the student feels most comfortable. To truely make the most of their college experience it is imperative that the student is happy with the city or town that the college is in. Going to a good school is only part of the experience; if the student cannot enjoy the place they live it will ruin the overall college experience. Another thing to keep in mind is a good balance between work and play. Focusing solely on school work will not provide a complete, enjoyable college experience but spending too much time avoiding school work will not lead to a good education. College is a time of incredible personal growth and a time for the student to figure out who they really are. Getting involved in a club or organization on campus is a great way to meet people with similar interests, as well as provide a way to discover all the campus has to offer.

As a high school senior, I don't think there was enough emphasis placed on deciding my intended major field of study. One of the most important things a parent can do to help their child is to identify and develop interests, passions, and talents. It happens too often that you hear a student contemplate the path their lives are taking in worrisome and unsure tones, and this can result in frantic efforts to switch majors and enroll in different classes, and as a result, time and money are wasted. Parents have the opportunity to encourage their children to involve themselves activities that interest them rather than placing all their emphasis on academic success. Their support builds a strong foundation, and a child would feel free to pursue hobbies and interests and eventually excel at them. I think choosing a college based on your chosen field is more important than choosing a college because of location, or demographical makeup, or architectural beauty. While these things promote interaction and shallow happiness, it's happiness in yourself that ultimately carries you through those four years of your life.

The most important thing for students is to find a school that will suit their personality and their type of preferred education. There are a lot of schools out their for every type of student and each one should be researched very thoroughly from its teachers and class sizes to location and campus.

The best advice I could give parents and/or students who are trying to find the right college is to take a trip and visit the schools they are considering. I personally knew almost instantly that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was the school for me as soon as I was there. The biggest tell tale sign is being able to picture yourself going to the school when you finally see it in person. The environment and atmosphere as well as the students currently there are great things to focus on. The campus had an inviting feeling to it that made me feel comfortable. I knew it was an environment that I would be able to focus and learn in. The area surrounding the school offered many opportunities for extracurricular and athletic activities, which were key for me. The students there looked friendly and happy. They reminded me of myself and looked like potential life long friends. These things helped me know I had found the college and town I would soon call home.

the right college is the one tha combines what you want out of your education as well as what you want out of life. it might not be the most prestigious, but if you feel that it will be where you will be most successful it is the right place for you.

I encourage students to find the right college for themselves by researching which colleges have the major they are interested in pursuing and visting those colleges they would consider applying to. While touring a college campus, students should see what kind of environment the campus has by watching how students interact with one another inside and outside of class, as well as what kind of activities the school offers for students to get involved with. Another deciding factor is the location of the school. I really wanted to find a school close to the beach with warm temperatures pretty much year round. I also was looking for a small college town away from big cities. Thus, a student should decide what kind of off-campus environment and activities he or she is interested in participating in when not in class. It is best to find a college a student feels most comfortable in and provides activities the student finds most enjoyable, this will make the transition to college much easier. I encourage parents to be supportive and as enthusiastic of their child's decision as can be. This too will help make the transistion to college easier for the student.

College is about finding yourself and your place in the world. It does not matter what you study, whether or not you change your major or whether or not you finish in four years. What matters is what you learn about yourself. Everything is part of the learning process, and nothing is wasted, if you don't let it be. If you pay attention, you will find strengths in yourself that you never knew existed, you will see beauty in the world that you always knew was there, and you will discover the truths in your soul that will lead you down the path of true happiness. This may sound cheesy, like a hallmark card, but its true. If you were a straigt A student in high school, don't be upset when you get your first C. Pay attention, analyze, learn, and take it all in because if you rush through it, you will turn around wonder what happened, and look ahead not even knowing where you are headed (or if its even where you truly want to going). Hopefully these words find their way to just one, stressed out high school senior, and bring you a little peace.

Go visit the schools, and not during a parent weekend or homecoming. The campus and stuff are drastically improved during that time. It's important to go to the parent weekends where there is all the necessary information available, however it's just as important to see the campus during normal operations.

I would recommend encouraging students to first narrow down schools by what they love to learn about, because let's face it, everyone strongly thinks about changing their major at least once. Then actually go visit!! Talk to students and see how friendly they are, what kinds of clubs there are, and what people do in their free time. At my school you could run into someone who will only talk about partying or someone who has become involved with a religious club and both could have great, but different social lives. Cal Poly isn't for everyone, but everyone here loves it.

College is America's greatest institution. It is an institution that contributes and ensures the success of a people and a nation. We are all a part of the information age. With so much knowledge at everyone?s disposal it is crucial to have a guiding team of professionals to direct one in their journey through college in order to eventually land in their preferred area of work. However, even though the primary goal of any college is to place the student in a good career, it is also a time to grow. This is why I believe that the primary concern in choosing a college is to choose a school that specializes in a degree of your desired field of work. However, many students that enter college do not know exactly what they want to do for the rest of their lives, making that certain criteria of a school not applicable to many students. Therefore, a student should choose a school based on its capability to allow growth through a comfortable and friendly environment. So if you want to know if a school is right for you visit it and feel it out, and once you?re there grow!

Let the kid choose what they want to do with out the added pressure from parents. The kids will find the right field for them and that will be the best option for them. College is NOT fun if the kids don't get to pick their college or major.

Advice that I always thought was helpful when I was applying to college was even if you don't get into the college you would have liked to get into you will always find that every campus has something to offer you. From campus clubs and athletics to a fraternity and sorority there is always something that every college offers. When I first accpeted to enroll in Cal Poly I went in thinking that Cal Poly is a very well respected university so I thought everyone was a bookworm and spent their weekends in the library. Little did I know, when I came here I found that there are a lot of people that love to have a good time and don't spend hours upon hours in the library unless it is dead week or a big project is due. Within the first two weeks of college I knew that Cal Poly was the best choice for me because I found my niche and my group of friends. I hope this advice does help somebody in the future when they are applying to a college they think might suite them well.

Make sure you visit each college and really investigate the majors of study available at each college. Make sure the environment and atmosphere seems right for you. It helps if you talk to current students. To make the most of your college experience, get involved in a club or some type of group that shares similar interests or values as you. There you will make the most friends and feel as if you really belong on campus.

In order to find the right college for you, I would suggest going with your first instint and attending a place that will make and keep you happy. College is usually the first time students are away from home and they need to be able to feel comfortable while being away. So I would choose a place that you feel will give you the college experience that you are looking for. If its only eduation your looking for than go to a very eduational school. If its fun you want to have then go to a fun school. The only advice I have is to make sure that you go where you want to go and not where you think you should go.

The only way to choose the right college for the student is to visit it. That way the student can really know whether or not they can see themselves at that particular college. Once they are at college it is very important to get involved in extra-curriculars, that way there is a deeper connection between the student and the school.

I would suggest going to any schools they may be interested in while the schools are in session, rather than over a break. I would also suggest that they take campus tours and not be afraid to ask students, or people they may be lucky enough to know any questions about the campus they may have. Most students, even the ones you don't know are more than willing to help you out with this important decision that they recently made themselves. Remember, you don't know unless you ask. I would also suggest keeping an open mind and using online college websites research fully not only the academics of a college that they're interested in, but also research the surrounding community and extracurricular activities of each college. Finding a college is not only about finding a school, its about finding a new home.

Tour college campuses to make sure you are happy with the set-up and area the college is located. When at college, get involved! This will help the student make friends and create a network. Getting involved in clubs usually means dealing with professors/faculty, so if the students ever has problems getting into a class or even passing a class these people are more likely to help the student because they are aware of the student's involvement in other things.

I would strongly encourage parents and students to visit the college of interest during the school year so they get an idea of the types of people that attend and how everyone interacts and also to get the general feel of the college. Attending advising programs, or programs where you can participate in the campus in any way would also be very benefitial. If the student knows of a friend who attends the college, staying with them for a night or two and exploring what the campus has to offer is a huge help, and can really influence how one feels or sees the campus. Also, meeting with the head of the department the student is interested in would be benefitial to understanding the length of the program offered, and what the program entails. Overall, simply researching each college of interest and knowing which aspects are important to the student and if the college offers them is the most important in making the right decision.

Go for it! Take that trip, visit those campuses! Visiting a school gives you a good feel of the campus and the students, and don't be afraid to ask hard questions. There are going to be surprises at college, but doing your research will help you know what to expect. If you have researched, visited, and asked around, and you still can't decide, you may want to consider the distance the school is from home. I know most students want to get away from home, but don't go too far unless you know you can handle it. I have seen too many students ache with homesickness and even drop out because they are too far from what is familiar. If you are down to two schools, maybe you should go with the closer one. But if you have done all the above and still can't decide, my advice is the same: Go for it! Pick one, chances are you will do well at either one, so don't sweat it. College is a great time, and wherever you go you will learn and meet cool people. Again I say: Go for it!

As I've learned this past year and a half, finding a place to fit in isn't always easy. Some places look more appealing to some due to social, political, or academic differences. I went into college without thinking of it would make anyone else feel besides myself. As selfish as it may sound, you need to pick the right college that you feel the most comfortable at. You definitely need to take a tour of all the campuses you are interested to truly get a feel of where you belong. Take a look at the extra-cirriculars as well. Yes, college is about learning and eventually finding a career. However, as I've discovered within this past year and a half, it is also about finding yourself. I've learned more about myself this past year than I have through all of high school. Make the decision of what college to go to your own decision and no one else's. That way, you will live without regrets. I have learned that is extremely important in life. Live without regrets.

Be open minded.

I was advised to not pick a school just for its major. Chances are, you are going to change your major at least 3 times thinking, "Oh, I am going to major in business!" or, "Oh, nevermind! I like art history more!" and then "But I really loved that biology class!" Expect to change majors and don't be discouraged by it. Just because someone chooses a major, doesn't mean that he or she has every problem solved. Find something that you truly love and something that you could spend hours talking about it because of your excitement! This is hard to do, but it come eventually. Also, remember, that transistions take time. Leaving home may be hard for some, but if you put yourself out there and give it time to become home, then you will soon find that you will be calling college "home." Most importantly, this is about YOU! Not your parent's wishes or Grandfather's tradition. Take advantage of this time to try everything at least once and approach everything with an open mind. Have fun! You are only in college once! (And trust me, when you leave, you want back!)

When first selecting schools, keep in mind what schools stand out academically for your specific major of interest. You might even consider if a school has your second major pick just in case you ever decide you want to switch majors (many students change their majors). As far as the cost of your education, state schools tend to be more affordable than private universities. Check for how a school performs on reviews. You might be surprised. Sometimes for your particular major a state university might perform better and be more affordable than a private university. It's also important to know what kind of home the school will be. Community is an important aspect. You want a school that's good academically but that will be a good home. Students in the dorms usually have less trouble with this. If you?re interested in Sports, joining a university team or intramural sports can be a good way to meet people. Scoping out the surrounding community would also be good as well. Some people look for local entertainment (theatres, stores, food places, etc.), if the community is a safe/nice, or you might look for churches or other community centers.

Try to pick a major, dont go undecided. After you pick your major determine the other areas of study that interest you and pick a school that focuses on those. Decide whether you want a practical applied education or a research based theoretical one.

First find out what school is best for the field of study. Secondly, mix GE courses with major courses in order to not burn out in school. Lastly, get involved with an extra curricular activity at school to feel connected with others on campus.

I would encourage students to really get involved in school. Become part of a club, sports team, or student government. The more you put into your college and college experience, the more you will get out of college. Remember, winning isn't everything, its how you play the game, and that goes for grades too. College really isn't about getting amazing GPA's, its about discovering yourself and learning in the process. Don't get hung up if you're getting a C in a class, it is usually average anyways! Always try and meet new people, try new things, go to new places, all these things will help you suceed in college. Parents: don't worry about how your child is doing. They really are no longer your baby, they've left home, and are thriving on their own. Don't call their teachers, because they aren't allowed to give you any information about your student anyways. Always be supportive of your student, even if they may not have a 4.0, and remember, a package of homemade cookes from mom is always very appreciated by any student!

Sometimes your first choice college isn't the best choice for you. When something happens and you can't go to your first choice school, it's okay; you can probably go there for grad school anyway.

Attend the campus before applying and attend the one that you really feel is comfortable to you. Find a college with high eduaction standards but doesnt cost an arm and a leg.

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Visit the schools you're interested in. I know plenty of kids from my high school class that changed their decision based on the first impression they got from their visits. A big aspect that I did not consider when choosing a school was size. I went to a realy small private high school in Oregon and was somewhat overwhelmed by the size of Cal Poly (around 20,000), it was fairly easy to adjust, but I could not imagine going to an enormous school like UCLA or USC. As far as making the most of the college experience, make sure you continue to do the things in college you enjoyed doing in high school. It's amazing how nostalgic you'll get if you stop playing your favorite sport or whatever it is you enjoyed doing. That being said, do NOT be afraid to try new things in college. That's what college is all about.

Don't be afraid to go off and try something new and get out of your comfort zone. Meet new people!

It is really important to do your research before choosing a college. Take a deeper look at the department you will be applying to (ex. liberal arts) and make sure to take a campus tour! Try to talk to students who are currently in your same major, as well as professors for that major. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions! It is important to even ask yourself questions, like where do you see yourself living? Is it in a city atmosphere, or more rural? Do you want to live on campus or off? What kind of extra-curricular activities are important to you? Once you have answered these questions, you can start to research and find what college best matches what you are looking for.