Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

Most importantly, go with your instincts. Some colleges might seem "fun" or "exciting" or maybe even far away from your family but that's not what is important. What's important is finding the right school for you. Don't lose yourself in trying to fit in because in the long-run people will appreciate you more for not trying and just being yourself. When you feel socially awkward binge drinking is only going to make you feel more awkward when you wake up in the morning embarassed of yourself. Don't go into your freshman year assuming everyone will be like your friends in high school, because they won't be. You will have culture shock, but you will adapt and others will adapt to you. Live on campus at least one semester, its a rite of passage and one day you'll look back and feel like you missed out. You WILL fight with at least one roommate, that is also a rite of passage. Don't live alone you won't learn nearly as much about yourself. Most importantly find your passion, anyone who tells you that your dreams are impossible is a liar and a coward.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself not to worry so much. At the time it seemed like so much had to get done but in reality my whole high school exprience prepared me for the transition to college. I would remind myself to simply stay organized and get my paperwork in ontime. I would let myself know that Columbia would work to make the process as easy as possible and that they would be there to help me through it. College wants you to be successful and all you have to do is be willing to ask.

My senior year should have been more of a double-duty function. Yes, is a time when you should celebrate your accomplishments, but it's also a time when you have to work hard to prepare for your future. When I mean prepare for your future I'm mostly referring to money. I wish I would of recognized how college studies would differ from high school studies. I should of been more prepared to tie up loose ends when it came to financial aid and scholarship applications. I wish I would of put more thought in to thinking about these things through and coming up with a game plan for the best way possible to manage my future. I almost wish I would of taken a year after high school to work and save up money. With todays economy it has been very challenging for me to find paid internships, on campus work, and even off campus jobs.

I would probably tell myself to do a lot more interdisciplinary reading and research. I would also tell myself to explore as many art forms as possible and really try to picture myself doing something as a career. I would generally encourage a considerable amount of "trying things out" so that I could really get a feel for what I love. I have interests in may different fields of study and both the academics and the arts and this has led to a lot of confusion and caused some minor complications in my path. Being well read is very important, but experiece is everything.

If I were to go back in time, I would tell myself to look at more options of schools and spend more time really deciding what I thought was best for myself. I would have had more options to chose from rather than really only having one. I also would tell myself that having an actual campus is important. Although living in downtown Chicago can be fun, there is something enrichening about going to a college with a campus.

Dear Brennan, Moving to a big city can seam scarry, but you're going to love it! You need the diversity and you need the new stage in your life. It's exciting meeting new people and exploring new places. Your classwork is fun, because it teaches you about what you love to do. There is no reason to stress yourself out when your school load piles up, relax life is too short to worry. Just do your best and do it for God. My challenge to you is to get involved and surround yourself with people who will build you up, especially in your faith. You will save yourself a lot of pain if you stay faithful to yourself and to the Lord. I challenge you to go and live with radical faith, be a light in a school full of people who hate God. Show them Christs' love through your actions, give all your troubles to the Lord. You brennan marie are fearfully and wonderfully made! Go create change! love God and love Others! peace, grace & love xoxoxo

I had no idea what I really wanted to study in college. My first two years of school I was undecided. I always had a passion for making music videos and commercials but I never really thought I could do it professionally until I ran my own TV station at SIUC. I was the director of televison for the school station and had created my own tv series that involved interviewing and shooting bands all over the country. My series SPC All Access was very successful and allowed me to build my porfolio and get my name out. All of this extrodanry work I have done in college has been all becuase of my strong perserferance. When I transfered to Columbia Chicago I set big goals for myself. I wanted to start a successful company of my own and get my name out in the chicago film industry prior to graduating. My company has been extremely successful but living in the city and paying for school along with cameras and other equipment to keep me on my feet has been quite challenging. My advice would be; making the transition is easy. Networking is the key to all success.

All I would say is, "Prepare yourself for a whole new experience unlike none you have had sofar. As the world opens its arms to you you'll be recieving the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of life that you have been ignorant to thusfar. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and you'll make it through any day."

Keep doing what you're doing. You're on the right track, making the right decisions, and everything will be alright. By the way, don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't apply to pratt!

I would have told myself to chose a school that is perfect for me. When I first started applying to colleges I was looking at colleges that were closer to home, financiaIly acceptable for my family. I didn't find this school until the end of my applying process and I wish it was the first. Everything about this school is perfect for me, and if I opened my options to schools i was looking for, I would have found this sooner and not have had to spend a year an community college. I would tell myself to worry about myself first and make myself happy before anyone else.

Join as many clubs as possible.

Dont be ashamed to ask for help from teachers and parents. Just be yourself and dont feel the need to explain your actions to anyone. Be yourself and be proud. Have fun wherever you are and with whoever you are with. Take time to flesh out ideas for papers, films, and future projects. Create a journal and stick with it so you can help yourself learn from past mistakes. Be financially responsible and take charge in taking advantage of scholarships, grants, and any job oppertunities. Most of all have a good time doing whatever it is you decide to persue as a career.

The only thing I would emphisize to my past self would be to do a better job of saving money. Also to work on your self confidence and learn to believe in yourself, because you are smarter than you give yourself credit for.

If I could go back and do anything differently, I would have started looking for financial aid a lot sooner than I did. Talking to my counselor in high school about other financial options and starting to explore financial options online and in libraries would have also helped me in the future. Saving money sooner and fully understanding how much college was actually going to cost would have helped me as well. I also would have paid more attention to my grades in high school and made sure I did the best that I could all four years, but especially my junior and senior years. Although I really enjoyed my first year at Columbia, I would have tried to make more connections with people who were a part of the school whether it be a student or faculty member and try to seek advice that they had that may have made my transition and first year more successful.

Making the transition from high school to college is tough. It is important to work hard on homework, show up to class on time and pay attention. School work and readings for class should take priority over your social life. Also, it is a good idea to take all general education classes at community college before transferring to a four-year college. This will save you a great deal of money. However, you should still take some courses towards your major so you do not lose your focus. Budgeting is crucial, and using credit cards can be dangerous if you don't plan well or use them right. When you get a paycheck, first pay off any debts or bills. Then purchase necessities. If there is any money left over, put it into savings so you can treat yourself once every great while. My parents didn't teach me this, and ignoring bills can be every student's greatest mistake. Lastly, make friends and be open during class. Offer to hold a study group at your place or the library, and keep your mind open so you can make new friends. The diversity of people at college is amazing.

For parents, encourage your children to pursue their passions and dreams. Sometimes it's easy to want them to do what's considered the most lucrative or prestigious, but will they be happy? Will they call you in tears, frustrated and say "I want to change my major." It's not the easiest thing to hear - ask my parents. Thankfully, they were encouraging like always, and it was the best decision I've ever made. Which leads me to my advice or students. Unless you are 1000{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure of what you want to do, don't feel pressured by anyone to declare a major right away. Explore the cirriculum, try new things, and don't be afraid if you don't have it all figured out right away. Be encouraged, it's a transitional period for many of us, mistakes, failures - they happen. Be encouraged and don't give up because of that. Sometimes they'll lead you to what will make you happy.

I believe you need to look at the school as a whole. Does it offer the things you want and need? Do they offer the major of your choice? Are the dorms livable? What about the cost? Can you afford tution? There are a lot of questions to ask, most concerning the things you want in a school. I also believe that you have to visit a college before you can make a final decision whether that be after your accepted or while you're applying. If it feels right as you walk around the campus, you're on the right track. Look at the students. Does it look like you'll fit in? If not you may not have the best college experience availible to you. This is the next four years of your or your child's life. You should be happy with the school. Don't settle.

I believe the first thing a parent and/or student need to do is find out what the person wants to do with their life. Ask yourself these questions: Do I want a career, a job, a certificate or a degree? Do you want to go to a technical school, trade school, private school, two year or four year school? Do you want to go away to school or stay in you local area? You need to weigh all of your options. Also another important aspect of the college or university experience is money. Do you have money saved up, have you applied for grants or scholarships or government assistance? Once you have narrowed these questions down you will be happy with the choices you have made. From my experience, one of the ways to get most out of your college/university experience is to socialize. Actually read the schools program book and find out what clubs and different organizations you want to be involved with. Start to participate in community events and even develop a relationship with your professors in your field. I am sure they will steer you in the right direction.

It's really important to visit the college and take a day or two exploring it on your own (without a guide). This way nobody is trying to sell you the school. You can take things in as you perceive them yourself. It's also important to try new things-- you may be from a college town and all of your friends may be attending that college, but college is really about meeting new people, pursuing a career, and finding out new things about yourself. While something local may seem easier and less of a hassle, college is generally a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you may as well try something new. You never know what you might discover abou the world and yourself once you break out of your shell.

I would say first choose a school in an area in which you feel most comfortable in. Don't make the price of tuition the biggest part of your decision because there is a lot financial help available. Even if you are not sure of your major there is help for that also at whatever college you plan on attending. Once you find and get accepted to the school of your choice, remember that your ultimate goal for being in school is to pursue a higher education and to better yourself in life. If your are going far away to college, you will have a lot freedom, probably the most you ever had, but don't let that hinder your studies and just stay head-strong. I'd like to remember that no matter how you do in school, good or bad, you still have to pay back tons of money for student loans so it's best that you do your best and that it will pay you back in the end.

Making sure WHAT you want, and how you want to get it. You can want to be the same thing as Tons of other kids in the same boat-but we all need differnt things, and view the same thing differntly. so you have to find the school that is perfect for you in every way.

The best advice I can give students in selecting a college would be to first discover what their values are. If they value rural tight nit communities, then by all means attend a school in a small town. I would urge both parents and students to seek a school with a very diverse falcuty as well as student body . I have learned so much just by being in a diverse community. Diversity allows them to learn in and out of the classroom. Because my school is so diverse, I now feel better equipt to communicate and work with people all over the world. To make the best of the college experience students get out, get involved, and try everything. They will not only learn who they are but they will certainly learn what they love to do and will do for the rest of your lives. Parents trust that you have raised your children to have a great since of focus and compassion for others and they will surley not dissapiont you. Chose your college based on the best community, academia, and productivity for you. Have fun taking in all the experiences.

Finding the right college is more than just how great the academics are. You have to take into consideration that you will be living there for the next four years, so unless you like the surrounding area and the type of people that go to that school, you're not going to be happy. The social aspect of school is just as important as the academic part, and can be a big determinent in how much you succeed. To make the most of the college experience, students should be open to new people and ideas because college introduces you to both. Get involved in as many things as you can, as that is a sure way to meet people who will share things in common with you. Don't be afraid to be yourself because college really does help you discover who you are. Last, but certainly not least, keep up on your schoolwork. It becomes too easy to fall behind, and you will regret this. Study, study, study and you should do fine. College life is a balancing act, and if done right, it can be an awesome experience.

I would tell parents to be very supportive and patient with their child as they search for schools. It's very important for both to communicate often about this very important decision. College can be an amazing time for growth, self-realization, and of course learning! Parents need to trust their child and students need to earn/keep that trust by making smart choices. Students should definitely think of college as a fresh slate. No more high school drama with teachers or coaches. Be optimistic and open to new ideas and people. It's exciting to know that you'll be entering this new atmospere where you might not know anyone and can start fresh. It's also very important for students to remain focused. I know how distracting college can be and especially when your campus could be downtown Chicago with hundreds of things to do ALL THE TIME. Remember why you're in school, what your goals are, and most importantly, HOW MUCH IT COSTS! Don't waste time and money by getting distracted from your goals. If you stay focused, friendly, and confident, college will be the best time of your life!

Choose the college you want based on how current students fit into the school, but how your specific qualifications and habits fit into the school. For example, if you know you do better in smaller classes or with more involved teachers, choose a school that offers this. Create a list of the top ten things that are important to you in a school, and make your decision based on this. This could include prestige, tradition, class size, student body size, liberal or conservative, groups within the school, sports, etc. Make sure you know yourself before you let a school shape you.

Some advice I would give to parents is this: make sure you don't pressure your child into doing a major that he/she does not want to do. My parents did that to me and I ended up wasting a year of schooling at a college that I didn't like, in a major that I didn't like and then I transferred schools. Money should not be the aspect of the college that you should be most worried about because if your child gets a good enough education they will make it in this world to be able to pay any loans back. Some advice I would give to students is this: visit your campus! And, apply for any and all scholarships that you can! Location, location, location. If you don't like your environment, you won't be able to learn. College isn't about drinking and partying all night long, it's about learning something you are passionate about and letting it consume your time. Don't bank on the notion that money will pop up out of nowhere. Apply early and make that your new part time job. You won't regret it!

College is an important step in a student's future. In choosing a college, there are many things that I recommend looking into before deciding on what college is best for you. First, look into the programs and majors offered at the school. If you know what you want to major in, its important that the college has the necessary classes. If you've found a couple schools that look good on a website or through other information you have found, go visit! I think this is the most important step. When I was applying for colleges, I went to visit a few that I was interested in. This made all the difference. Also, the key to making the most of the college experience is moderation! Don't study too hard and miss out on all the other experiences college has to offer, but don't forget that you are there to learn! Never leave sunday nights to do all your homework for the week, because its almost guarenteed that this will cause you to forget about assignments, not to mention the stress. Instead do a little here and there, and you will be able to enjoy the college experience!

I would tell the student to really consider what they enjoy doing and from there they will find the best career that fits them- but determining schools; I will tell them to consider how effective the school is with their graduation rate and how many successfulstudents went there. I would tell the parents to allow their children to choose which college and be supportive with financial situations and other things pertaining to school.

When searching for the best college or university, its best that you sit down and weigh your options. Considering your life goals and ambitions, write a list of higher learning facilities that you think will best fit you. Keep in mind expenses, tuition, learning environments, and other important factors. Now, from that list remove the few that offer your life passion. The universities that don?t make the cut are to be burned in an old shoebox. Of those last few colleges or universities; think about the one that would best fit you. Then finally follow your heart, because in the end money and venues won?t matter. The education and the experience will be the only things that hold importance.

Your first choice might not always be your best choice. My parents tried to choose for me, based on convenience, cost and location. Parents need to consider what their child would really like to do. I did not want to go to a college with large classrooms and cheerleaders. I wanted to live in the city. My parents accepted that and listened to all the positive things I had imagined about Columbia College. You begin to realize some of the resources are more abudant than the first choice. I know it's hard. The move was the hardest. Finalizing was the biggest challege. Make a pro and con list. Balance your costs and distance. Follow your heart. Once you're there, don't hold back. College is what you make it. You can get straight A's and learned more than you ever have while still meeting amazing new friends and interacting in the community. Don't stress yourself out. Embrace your new opportunities.

My advice for students looking for the right college would be to do reseach on your own as to what college you are looking for and what you are looking to get out of the college experience. Students do the research on your own at first. Know what you want before you get your parenst opinions. Sometimes parents can have a vision for you and that vision may not be what you want. Just have your research ready and know what you want to say before you tell your parents because if you dont your going to look undecisive and your parents wont take you seriously. Parents, have an open mind to what your child wants to do with his or her future. the route they may want to take may seem silly at first but if it consist of staying in school then your child is already making good decisions for themself. Also once your child is in school they need all the support from home that can be given. Always check up on your kid. It may seem like they fell off the face of the earth, but a call from "mom or dad" can never hurt.

Make sure you go somewhere that supports your interests and is the right learning environment for the student. If the student is unsure about school don't pressure them too hard, allow them some time to explore some avenues of interest. Too many of my friends in college who came for the wrong reasons wound up wasting their parents, or their own, money. They partied too much and it was usually because they weren't in the right environment, they were unhappy, or they just didn't care. Also, always go to the school to make sure it is what you expect check out housing, talk to students, and try to sit in a class or two.

Look for as many scholarships as you can find.

Don't choose a college without going to visit the institution first.

Finding the right college is a difficult task. Most importantly, parents and students need to be honest about what they are looking for in an educational institution, including academics, extracurriculars, and location. Personally, I think that in order to make the most of the college experience, the student should choose a school in the area where they would like to live after graduation because it is completely possible to become established in a career-based community during college. I also believe that study abroad is an extremely important part of the college experience, so, if a student is interested in pursuing those opportunities, they should be included when comparing schools. In order to make the most of the college experience, students need to feel comfortable with their schools and communities, and get involved! Socialization with other students who will later be working peers is beneficial both for the future and in the present.

Don't feel hurried to know what you want to do for the rest of your life. Relax. If you LET classes stress you out, they will. DON'T act like a naive child. But don't try to act like an arrogant jerk either. Both will get you into trouble. Now is your chance to feel uninhibited. Get out of your box. Experience life. Become who you want to be without the assistance of anybody else to tell you otherwise. Open your mind. Feel free to party, but don't let it run your life. It's called moderation for a reason. Too many kids get caught up in the scene and the social aspects of it. Before they know it, they're in the ER with poisoning or they've od'd (and don't die, if they're lucky). They're flunking out of college. And before you know it, they're out of school and working at Panera to pay off rehab bills. Sounds exaggerated, but it happens far too often. Make friends. Experience your area. Enjoy life and learn from it. Use caution. Refer to Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen lyrics for further advice.

There was one thing I feared the most about heading off to college and that was would I be able to afford to go to the college of my choice. I fell in love with Columbia College after I researched it online but my parents were still paying for my sister to go to college and I knew that even with the job I had we would still be struggling to make ends meet. My parents and I set up a meeting with an admissions advisor who gave us everything we needed to know and what we needed to look for and do to make sure I could go to this college. If you really want to do something, you'll do everything you can to do it. I commute on a train that takes about an hour and a half to get downtown and then I walk about thirty minutes to get to class. I also work to make sure I have money for books. It comes down to if your willing to sacrifice for a career you want to pursue and your parents are willing to help every now and then, then you've made the right choice.

Don't just pick the schools that your friends are going to or schools that your parents think are best for you. Do your research and search for a school that best fits you as a person and fits the learning curriculum you would like to learn in. Also don't let the cost of tuition discourage you from going to a certain school.

As a recent grad, of Columbia College Chicago I would say first off have a passion about something and then pursue it. Many people go to college and are not serious. I went 4 years straight never took one semester off. I just graduated last year, I love music and i found a college that loves it too. I would of never finished if i werent passionate about my major. You can go to a top school but if you have a major that you dont love then i dont think youll finish. College is about experience, growth and hard work. I set my goal to be out of school in 4 years and i did. If i can find a school that loves something as much as i do then thats where i want to be! Thank you. - Best Wishes

Make sure you research the schools you are interested in and if you can go and visit ALL the ones that you are most interested in. This helps the student get a feel of the campus, students, housing arrangements etc. and if they could picture themselves their or not. Also, students should get involved when you finally go off to school, it makes a HUGE difference. School is not just a place to get good grades, its where you network for jobs, become a more well-rounded person and hopefully find out who "you" really are and become an adult.

Make sure you can see yourself going there and are comfortable with the school.

Talk to the current students or graduates about that college to find out the best possible information.

Get involved as much as you can with your school.

make sure to check out all your options and weigh your future goals against how much a school cost.

Pick your college carefully. You will be making friends and living in a place where you might end up for the rest of your life. Same with your major, try and research each before picking one.

Don?t just look for a school that has the major that you want to take, make sure you get what you are paying for. Find a school that lets you get right into your major. Also, go there for a week and see the people there, find out if you will fit in there. do your research as if you are doing a research paper, make sure its one hundred percent what you want. There are thousands of schools out there, and most people only get to go to one. if any.

take your time

I would say that the most important thing when looking for a shool would be to find somewhere where you are comfortable and happy. When picking a school you can't let your financial situation or anything else sway your decision. You have to pick the school that offers the best program for you. Parents you should not push your own personal chose onto your child. You can't expect that your child will want to attend the same school as you and pushing these views on them leads to unhappy students and less depication to there courses.

I think the most useful advice I could give a student would be to make sure that they know what they are really passionate about before they commit their time and money to a school. I took classes at a community college right out of high school in order to make some progress in college but to do it as inexpensively as possible until I figured out what area I was really serious about studying. By doing this I was able to save money, get my general education classes out of the way, and make sure that I was really committed to what I was studying before I made the big step to move away from home and chose the right school for myself.

Many recent high school graduates and those considering going to college for the first time stress out about what college they should attend. I certainly did. I didn?t even know what I wanted to do! So I looked for a college that aligned with my personal beliefs, offered classes with the chance to explore what I enjoyed doing, and had passionate teachers with real experience in their fields. After being in school for several years, I realized that while choosing a school is important, it is not nearly as important as what you DO in school. Take internships and work on campus ? you?ll learn a lot and gain job experience. Never pass up an opportunity to meet someone in your field of study, even if they?re just professors. Try out everything that interests you, even if you don?t want a job in it ? those valuable experiences will add to your wealth of knowledge. Study abroad, even for a couple weeks! And most importantly ? allow yourself to grow. College is the place for learning and discovery, making new friends, and finding out who you are. Once you know who you are, you can go anywhere you want.