Christopher Newport University Top Questions

When considering your college options, consider the big picture of "you." Just like you are not only a "student" but also a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a friend -- a unique individual with hobbies, hopes, and dreams -- the schools you are looking into are not just factories for degrees. You will probably spend the next few years of your life in the school you choose, so it's crucial you find one that will nurture and challenge each part of your identity equally. Make sure you find a good fit for your academic ambitions, but also do the best you can to get to know your potential college's personality. Research its clubs and organizations, its student body, and its interaction with the local community. If you can, visit the campus and see what your instincts tell you -- meeting some of the current faculty and students will really help with this. Ultimately, make sure that you don't turn down the perfect school for you because there is another school that is "perfect" for someone else... when you graduate, it just might turn out that the lessons you learned outside of class were the most important.

Go to the school and spend some time there. I know at Christopher Newport University the second you step on campus, you either love it and say this is the place i want to be (more often then not) or you say this is not for me. It helps knowing or having a good idea of what major you are looking at also- otherwise you might get a little behind. Don't let college fool you- classes are much harder then highschool. Also, look at class size and where your child can see themselves based on how they grew up and what they are use to.

Find a campus that cultivates your imagination and inspires you to not only reach you dreams but also help others reach theirs should be number one on your list. Prospective students should not get lost in the search for pretty dorms and good food but rather should focus on finding a place that will nurture him or her as an individual. Find a school that will provide you with the tools you need to achieve your goal. Look for dedicated professors, small class sizes, a school that has a strong sense of community among students, the provision of both academic and social assistance, the availability of internships and jobs in your field and most of all attend a school that is focused on community service. Community service is important because is shapes your intergrety and helps you to discover yourself. Never attend a school that see you solely as a number becuase after you gradutate no one will care about your GPA or your class standing. However, they will care about what you did to give back. Therefore, find a school that?s cultivates well rounded students who are dedicated to giving back and reaching for their dreams.

I definitley feel that choosing a college is an important decision for both the studnet and the parent(s). When choosing a college it is important to choose one where you feel the most comfortable and at home. The student needs to decided whther they feel they could do better in a small or large enviroment. I feel that this factor is vital and can be one of the most important determining factors. When looking at college also look at the other activities they have available and try to find at least one that you would enjoy being a part of. When in college it is important to try your hardest and work to your highest potentnial. Always stay determined and focused on academics but also have a social life. It is important to find a balance between the two. It is also important to develop friendships that will encourage and support you along the way.

Have some idea of what you want to do before you begin the application process. More importantlly, actually look at and visit different campuses. Don't just settle for one school because it's cheap, or because it's close to your home. Have an idea of what you want to do with your life and find a school that has the programs which will point you in that direction. A liberal arts school is not the best place for a science student, and vice versa. You can get a general education at any college, but find the one that has the specific program you're interested in and apply there. And make sure to have a backup, just in case you don't get accepted to your first choice. Again, don't settle on a backup school. Make sure it is one that you would actually want to go to, with the same (or similar) programs as your first choice. If you do this when looking for a college, I guarantee you will get the most out of your college experience.

Choosing the appropriate college near the end of your senior year or after the excitement of high school graduation may unfortunately be further away from the top of your list of things to do than it really should be. If I was to help anyone out in this process, my first words would be that this is an extremely pivotal time in your life, and your abilities to focus, reorganize your goals and dreams, and to seek out help will be more important than ever. Also, chances are, you don't know what you want to do in the future, so some specific advice would be to choose a college that leaves your options open while remaining affordable. Post acceptance to college of choice, the last thing you want to do is get addicted to something like gambling, drugs, or say a new boyfriend/girlfriend; I have personally seen these things take people down the wrong path. Stay on the right path by talking to as many people as possible: your counselor, professors, academic advisor, careers office, parents, and colleagues. Lastly, never feel anxious to ask a new question. Even if you are completely lost, the professor needs to know.

I think it is very important for students/parents to visit colleges during big events such as sports and during days when classes are in session and nothing particularly out of the ordinary is occuring. These two contrasting situations will really help students/parents decide if the school's environment is right. If a student does not feel like an integral part of the community or dislikes the daily occurances, he or she is less likely to succeed and get involved.

To look at the school that you think you will be attending, make sure it feels like a good fit, the size of the university, the size of the classrooms, the quality of the livin situations and the atmospher of the campus. just make sure that it feels like a good fit, talk to the students who attend school and ask them about their college experience .

Visit the schools you are looking at! That is the only way you will know if it is the right it for you.

Get excited about college! Many of my friends weren't very enthusiastic about going to college or picking the right college. My family was a big help in getting information for school, but if I wasn't nearly as excited as I was about college, I would never have found the right one. When considering if a college is a good fit for you socially, get to know the area around the school, as that will shed some light on what the nightlife will be like at school. Size is another huge factor. Its hard to be happy at a school that is too big or too small for you, because you'll be thinking: "If only this school were bigger/smaller..." To make the most of the college experience, you need to be open to everyone and everything. To be the best person you can be, you should spend your first year (if not the whole four years) trying out different clubs, courses, and social groups. The best advice I can give to both these questions is you just have to take a chance at some point, because you'll never know what you'll like until you try.

Follow your heart. Some schools may be better for certain career paths, this is true. However; if you're not happy with the school you are attending, it is nearly impossible to succeed there. You have to possess a love and desire to learn and be where you are. And often enough, freshmen switch their majors once they get further into their studies. Make sure you decide where you feel best- don't just go to a school because of its status or even because of finance. While this might play a part, this should certainly not make or break a decision. Pick somewhere you feel happy with when you visit- not just the top school. This college will become your home, so choose wisely. Don't worry about disappointing a family member or friend; at the end of it all, if you didn't pick the right school, you'll only be left with disappointment in yourself. But also be sure to understand that not only one school may be a perfect fit. It's possible that more than one school will be perfect. In any case, congratulations and good luck!

Visit the schools. Visit during the semester when students are taking classes. Visit on a rainy day and visit on a sunny day. If you would not walk to classes from where your dorm would be in the rain/dark or during harsh weather then it?s not the school for you. You will be living at the school, could you see yourself living on the campus you are visiting?

To students: Spend time on the campus without a tour guide or your parents. Remember, tour guides are paid and your parents will not be holding your hand throughout your college career. Approach students, ask them about their social life/living situations/ quality of education/ positives and negatives of the university/ resources available on campus/ and anything else you are specifically interested in. These students are not paid to respond to you, and will give you their honest opinion. Find somewhere you are comfortable because this is where you will spend the next four years of your life. In order to make the most of your college experience manage/balance your time. Your education is the key to the rest of your life, but your overall happiness is as well. Set aside specific times to study/socialize/ and smell the roses. To parents: It is very important to realize this is your childs decision to make, because they are the ones who will be directly affected. Always be supportive, remember it is the small things you do for them that will help them through this transitional period. Sending them letters and care packages during finals week will make their day :)

Be open-minded throughout the whole process. If you don't get your first choice, don't be heart broken. Try to keep a positive attitude. College is what you make it so don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.

Get involved, don't sit on the sidelines!

The best way to find a school that is right for you is to visit all of the school=s you might be interested in. Ask plenty of questions and think about the most important qualities

Make sure you look into all aspects of the college and ask people who are and ARE NOT required or paid to give you positive answers.

Make sure to visit the schools while they are in session, because students make campuses come alive. Pick a school that makes you feel at home and gives you a comfortable feeling. The feeling is indescribable but if you listen to it you will find the school for you.

How many times have you heard someone say, "College was the best four years of my life!" It is cliche, but can be very true. However, you must make it true for yourself. The first step is to choose a campus where you feel at home and believe you can succeed in your goals. Assuming you live on campus, it really will be your home. So, it is imperative that you be comfortable physically, mentally, and emotionally. If not, the extra, unnecessary stress can be disastrous. Get involved with the campus community! Clubs, sports, and activities are the best ways to meet people and make friends. It is definitely important to study, but life is about more than books and papers. Also, when your workload piles up, and exams are looming, you will need those friends and other events to keep you sane.. Still, never forget that you are there to learn. GO TO CLASS!!! If you do, and pay attention, the assignments are so much easier. Get to know your professors. If you have a question, go to their office and ask. Plan ahead. If you know what courses you need and the prerequisites, you can finish in four!

The point is not to find the college with the best "name;" the point is to find a school that best fits you and your needs. In fact, I would often argue that the "name-brand" college is not the best place for the undergraduate student. A smaller school focused on undergraduate studies will provide more opportunities, support and personalized instruction than a big-name school whose primary focus is research and graduate studies. In those cases, graduate students reap the benefits, whereas the opposite is true of the smaller, predominately undergraduate university. The right school for you should be one where you can attain opportunities such as internships, research and networking in the field of your choice, receive assistance and personal attention from faculty, and feel confident to be yourself. If you feel uncomfortable, then you are probably not at the right school for you. Selecting a college is a personal choice and should not be made to appease or impress someone else, but rather one that can heighten your educational experience based on your individual needs. Should you base your decision on that, you, provided that you work hard and network, will have a highly successful college experience.

To find the right college the student and parent need to really look into all the options offered by the school, the size of the school, the location, and the atmosphere you feel on campus. When visiting the school try and engage in the school as much as possible. Go on a tour, go to the dining hall, look at the dorms, talk to people. Don't rush! You will not know what a campus is like in just a couple hours. To make the most of your college experience, don't be negative. Go into your new college experience with a positive attitude because you are starting a new chapter in your life. Get to know your surroundings, including your roommates, hallmates, professors, and classmates. The more people you develop a relationship with on campus, the more comfortable you will feel at school. Once you are comfortable, get involved. Go to the club fair and join clubs that interest you. Try and get involved with other activities on campus that are provided, such as student government, fraternities/sororites, and recerational activities. Lastly, study hard and don't get behind in your school work and life should be great!

Before choosing what college you want to attend, decide how far you want to be from home. I chose my school because it was far enough away to be a change in scenery, but I could also go home on the weekends if I was homesick. Figure out if you want a small/big classes/campus setting. Dorm life can be tough, so make sure you like where you will be living. If you like sports, make sure they have what you enjoy at your school (where I went didn't have a pool or swim team and not only did that make me miserable, but I also gained weight from lack of exercise!) GET A PART TIME JOB when you get to school. Not only will it give you a little extra spending money, but it will help you manage your free time a whole lot better. Buy your textbooks off of Half.com or Amazon. It literally saves you hundreds of dollars. Have fun while you are in school, but remember that your first priority is to get your degree and pursue your career.

My advice to students going into college would be to actively engage in conversation with as many faculty members and current students as possible. Even if it is only through email. The faculty members are going to be the best judges of what the actual classes and curriculum will be like. The students will be able to give you the best idea of what life will be like for them outside of the classroom. Once a student is at college, the best way to get the most education for your money is to form relationships with their teachers. Often, then can be of great help once a student nears graduation. They can be a great help when it comes to looking for jobs, interships, and graduate schools. They will also be able to give professional advice and write great recommendation letters that will give the student the edge that they need.

Make sure that you are picking a college where you can know your professors, and get undergraduate research. Another hinging point is to look at their career counseling center and see what services they offer and how approachable they are. If you are looking for a science based major, watch out for the liberal learning schools that focus a great deal on general education classes and dont offer a lot of specialization for your major. First pick the feild of study that you wish to persue, then look for colleges that offer undergrad research and internships in that feild, and make sure you investigate their graduate programs. The most frustrating thing is to not know whether or not your degree will be offered in the next 50 years at your school, so look at their funding and accredidation for you intended major as well.

Spend a day during the school year at the schools you are interested in. Make sure you try every kind of food you can that they offer b/c mac and cheese gets old fast. If you are vegetarian, or might become one, make sure to see what kinds of foods the school offers that meet your dietary needs. The food might look tasty, but there might be a human hair and tons of butter hiding in it...I'm serious. Walk around the campus. Look at the res. halls-all the ones you'd be living in.

When you feel like you have asked too many questions, ask one more. Never leave room for assumptions. You can learn from mistakes, but you can learn more without effort if you just ASK. Do not stand for silence in the classroom, but do leave gaps in the discussions for others to interject. YOU are responsible for your own learning. Learning does not end with textbooks, but does not start with skipping class. Do not spend an entire day indoors, but do take advantage of comfy couches in the library. Remember college is for traditional and untraditional learning. Lastly, have self-control, but don't stray too far from the things that make you smile.

www.collegeboard.com

Truly wait for the right fit. Don't pick a school just because it's convenient. And once you're there, go to the club fair! That's where you fiind the greatest number of people interested in things that you like. Don't be afraid to approach people in class- that's how I've made some of my greatest friends, and go to school-sponsored events. They'll widen your experiences. Take advantage of everything that your school offers.

I would begin by saying that it is important to take into account not only the size of the school and the facilities on available on campus, but also to take into account the surrounding area. It is important, especially in your Junior and Senior year to be in a community that allows for you to become plugged into your future career field and to begin networking and getting life experiences. Do not base a decission solely on how pretty a school is, how good it will look when you have a diploma with that schools name on it. Concider the support system provided by the school. Availablity of career counciling, alumni networks, social activities, life coaching, and counciling services will create an environment that willprovide support and a greater possibility of success.

Visit several campuses. This is where you are going to live for the next four or more years. Once you have narrowed it down to your top three visit them all again and really get a feel for the university. Also, don?t believe everything the admissions people tell you.

When looking for a college you should always think about what feilds of study would make you happy and make sure there is more than one available at the school, incase you end up changing you major. The campus should be a place where you think your time will be spent happily and in an area you feel comfortable. Once you enter the school find out if there are any groups you are interested in joining or work to start one yourself. Remember that your education is a serious responsibility to yourself but that the work must be tempered with good times to make the whole experiance worth it. In the real world being a great student is not as important as your ability to function within society. College is the place where you can develop your social skills and begin the journey into the "real" world.

Get involved!

I would advise stdents and parents to figure out what kind of environment the student is going to feel the most comfortable in. Visiting campuses is a good idea and the student needs to have a clear idea of their interests and make sure that those interests at the schools that they are looking at.

Find the place that makes you feel comfortable. Visit during the school year and actually talk to the professors. they can give you a feel for the college. Know that if the place feels right then you should go for it because there is funding out there if you can not afford it. Learn more about the student community because knowing what they do for you can help your social life. Also talk to students, they will give you the real truth about the school. Just find what feels right and the rest will come along for you.

I am a CNU ambassador! I chose to be an ambassador because I wanted to help spread the word about this great school. When I first stepped foot on this campus for my first campus tour I immediately fell in love with it. I applied that night and got in two weeks later. The day I got my acceptance letter I sent back the form to say I planned on attending. I then withdrew all my applications from all the other "big" schools in Virginia. My college decision was easy. I feel like if you have this same feeling when you first step on a college campus without even talking with anyone then that is the school for you. As soon as I got out of my car I just knew. I hope everyone experiences this same feeling, the feeling that you belong! College should have that impact on you. You should be at the school that wants what you want and believes in what you believe.

Advice to parents about choosing a college would be to let the children decide. Do not force the student to go to the college that you think is academically more proficient or athletically has more potential. The student must decide for him/her self because he or she is the one who has to live there for 4-5 months at a time. Students must look at the teacher and professor ratings as well as class sizes. Families should also look at the price of books and tuition because future financial problems can create a lot of stress for family members. Students should also look at the resources available, such as the library, ask yourself if, with the research tools available in the library, could you possibly write a 20 page paper on a narrow topic, ie a book report on the 1960's film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." It is really important that you as a student feel comfortable in their studies because the first semester can be very stressful.

Make sure you visit the campus together and the potential student does an overnight away from the parents. Make sure the distance away from home will not be a problem for either parents or the student. The school needs to have your major and at least one activity that interests you.

Go somewhere where you can see yourself happy and succesful, and then make it happen.

I would tell parents and students to choose a school wisely, not just because your parents went there or because it's a good party school. Go somewhere that will challenge you, and help form you into the person you were meant to be.

Make sure you pick the right school that fits you. If you know automatically that you wouldn't feel comfortable there, try somewhere else.

Firstly, you have to visit a college campus before deciding which one is right for you. Secondly, don't ever go to a college because your friends or significant other is going there, it's a big decision that you'll have to live with for four years and pay a lot of money for. Don't worry if you don't know what you want to major in yet, taking gen eds and electives will help you decide when you get a taste of different types of college classes. Make sure to join clubs or sports, it's the best way to find others with the same intrests as you. Lastly, don't sweat it! College will be the best experience of your life!

Spend the night in the dorms before deciding on any college

Choose whatever fits you not about about the prestige

While there are many aspects to take into account when searching for the right college, such as location, tuition, and so on, I believe that the single most important aspect to focus on is the overall environment of the school and how you see yourself within that environment. From a parents point of view I can see how the academic credibility of a school may seem most important but credibility only means so much when a student doesn't feel at home and take advantage of what the school has to offer. While its not always the easiest thing to do I believe that extended stays at schools are pertinent to finding how a prospective student feels about the environment. To better define a schools environment and pick out what I think are the most important things to look into prospective students should sit in on various classes, talk to professors in different fields of study, look into what the campus has to offer outside of academics, and most importantly interact with students who currently attend the school. When searching for the right college try not to think of it as just that but instead a home away from home.

I would adise people to look for a school that is the perfect fit, one that is not too big, but also not too small. One that focuses on academics but still pays attention to the finer things--such as the asthetics of the campus and other things.

Meet people at the college and talk to them!!

I would strongly recommend that the students stay the night at the schools that they visit. Many schools offer a program to stay with a student at night and attend classes during the day. Any college can and will say anything during the day around your parents, but staying the night and interacting with students away from adult supervision will allow any student to grasp what the college is really like. I have hosted many overnight students and they always have more questions about what the college is really like. Attending the classes is also a good idea. A school can claim engaging professors and small classes but experiencing them for yourself can be completely different. You will be able to see with your own eyes how students interact with teachers, how the classes are taught, who your peers will be. There is so much that can be learned from attending one class. Overall the best advice is get away from the internet and experience the college for yourself.

My freshman year at Christopher Newport University, our Great Lawn turned into the nation?s sixth Great Lake. Classes were cancelled and students were encouraged to go home: Hurricane Ernesto was upon us. Not many students left though because staying on campus was too much fun. Half the school wound up on the Great Lawn to play tackle football, skim board, or paddle around in an inflatable boat. Now I tell everyone that if they come to CNU, they?ll need to pack a pair of rain boots. My advice to students on their college search is to talk to current students on campus: hear their stories about exceptional times like hurricanes, and regular times like weekends. Ask them what they do for fun, how they spend their time, and what their passions are. Then do some soul-searching: Do you think you can find people on campus with whom you will connect? Are people you meet interested in the same things as you? Do you feel like you can grow intellectually and socially at the college you?re visiting? Of course, the best way to discover all this to visit the college campus for more than just a tour!

Choosing the right college can make a huge impact on your experience. I have so many friends who chose a college based on its reputation or without even visiting it. Make sure you know what kind of school you want to go to (size? religion-oriented? liberal arts? etc.) and research anything and everything. I think it is also very important to visit the school. Getting a feel for what to expect made a huge impact on my decision to attend my college, and I am so glad that I visited before I came. I have a number of friends who have transferred to other schools because they really had no idea what their school was like before they went. As for making the most of your experience, just make sure you get involved on campus with activities, volunteering, etc. Most schools offer plentiful opportunities to have fun on campus and help the surrounding communities. You can feel better about yourself, and about those around you by helping others. Although its cliche, college really can be "the best years of your life," but only if you know what you want out of your college and make sure to be involved! :)

Find the school that seems to best represent what you enjoy about life and learning. Take every opportunity to expand your thinking and never shy away from opportunities to do more than you believe yourself capable of. Learn how to work hard, but also learn how to balance that work with fun, because they is almost no greater opportunity to meet interesting people and have incredible experiences. Look for professors who will take an active role in your learning and development and seek out friends that challenge you accademically. There are so many opportunities availible for students that want to work hard and succeed. The difficult part is discovering these opportunities; however, the more you show your professors how hard you are willing to work the more you will find favorable circumstances falling into your lap.