Columbia College Chicago Top Questions

My advice for parents is to be as supportive as possible. Allow your child to choose whatever he/she wants to major in. If they make mistakes, do not bash them over the head about it. Give them your advice without shoving it down their throat, they will receive it better this way. Remeber, college is not only a learning experience, but a living expereince. It is a time to make a transition from teenager to adult, so allow them to find their way on their own. You have to trust that you raised your child to make the right decisions. My advice for students is to trust yourself. Whatever your interests are, explore that side. College is a time for you to develop who you are as a person. Don't allow the world to detour your dreams. Don't settle for anything less than what you want. Because you only have one life to live , live it to the fullest. This is one of the most crucial times in your life. It is all about you, take your time and advantage of every opportunity that caters to building your "This is Me" resume!

Don't expect the right school on the first try. Also to the parents, don't push your child to go to the school you want them to, let them pick. Students learn better in an envirnment that they feel comfortable in.

Find out how much school spirit and fraternities and sororities mean to you, how much do you like the Friday night football games and the campus experience, because if you don't a regular school is not for you.

Don't stop at the first college you get accepted to. Keep searching for schools that also offer your major and see what they're big drawing points are. I almost attended a college that was more than 5 hours away from home until I found my current school. I saved my parents more than $20,000 a year by living at home and commuting instead of choosing a school where I had no choice but to live there. Also, I choose a college that shared my views about the world which I believe is very important in feeling comfortable and succeeding.

1. Understand that much of academia exists, unfortunately, to provide schooling rather than an education. It is imperative that you develop some form of autodidacticism and seek knowledge on your own, as you will learn a great deal despite college, not because of it. 2. Remember that college costs are high, and that every bank in America wishes to rape you with student loans that have interest rates as high as twelve percent or more, which adds on to the debt of eighty-thousand-or-so dollars that can accrue at the end of four years (which is somewhere near the amount of what I will have, along with the twelve percent interest). Seek out all the scholarships and grants that are available, and fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible. 3. Critical thinking is a must when dealing with the persuasive arm of college advertising. Know what you are getting into and prepare accordingly. 4. Only blunt, honest, and consistent criticism will dispel postmodern hegemony, stay fallacious argumentation, and change failing methods. Do not be afraid to question anything and everything that seems inherently flawed or filled with internal contradictions. This includes teachers, policies, and class materials provided.

I would advise visiting the campus of the schools you are interested in and finding out the most you can about the programs that you are interested in. See what type of vibes you get being in that campus and general area if it doen't feel right then don't go for it find the place that makes you feel positive, comfortable, and most of all happy. Once you get to school try work as hard as you play or vice versa, don't go over board just because after a huge paper of final you feel obligated be responsible. Remember you're still young and the best time of your life is anytime you are happy being you.

Parents should help their kids find the right school for them. Often times, parents go for the cheapest school, or the school that they went to. I would encourage parents to ask their kids not what they want to be when they grow up, but what FIELD they are interested in. When they have decided that, research what schools are best for that field. Go to different types of schools (big, small, liberal, conservative, etc.) and find where your child is most comfortable. I know from experience that just because a school gives a great scholarship to your child does not mean that this shool is the right one for them. The child must find a place where they feel comfortable not only living, but also meeting new people, getting themselves around campus, and reaching out to the community. Good luck!

go ater what you want to do rather than what you thnk you should do -- this is more than a 4 year comitment, its the rest of your life.

Get a full understading of what type of coolege you are going to. Understand the social and academic aspect of your school and make sure its exactly what you want

My advice to both parents and students is to choose a college that offers just what you want out of it. Dont let your parents decide where you will go to school and dont let others bring you down. Make sure that you do research of the college you plan to attend to make sure that it is just right for you. Also make sure that as a student or parent you are not waisting your money and time. When you go to college make sure school work is number one and social life second. College is not high school it is much more important and it is the time to make something of yourself. Be yourself and try to make the best of it. It is the real world after high school, and sometimes it can be rough.

Let the student decide as much as possible. And never say never.

In order to find the right college one thing I suggest is to do research. Look through the college's website and read the mission statement and find out if it can provide what you want from a college. The biggest thing I can suggest though is to visit the college. Go with your gut feeling. If it doesn't "feel" right, then it won't be. You will realize what I mean when it happens. Making the most of a college experience is simple. Do the work that is assigned. I got horrible grades all throughout my academic career because I didn't do my work. Now I do and I get straight As. Completing what is asked of you is really the key to success. Also, with good time management, you will have more free time than you realize if you apply yourself to the work that is assigned.

What I have learned this last year is the importance of balance. In High School life is about exstremes weather its between the self imposed cliques or the school sponsored separation of AP kids, regular students and trouble students. But college isn't about that, college is about surpassing limitations. You can be more than just one thing when you get to college, you can party and be smart or you can be popular and a book worm. But the ability to do the the things that seemed contradictory in your younger years is balance. Its remembering that you can do it all, the limitations you thought where so important where imagined. Because the people you meet at college won't think of life as being just one way, they won't care if you listen to pop and punk or like literature as much as you like a good trashy romance novel. You just have to learn to balance it all, when its fine to go out and be crazy and when you need to stay home and have time to your self. In college you can do it all but you can do everything.

The key to finding the right college is knowing what you want to do with your life. When you know what that is, you must be passionate. If you aren't sure, don't worry. You can take gen-ed classes and dabble to see where your interest lie. I would suggest community college, if you have no clue. When choosing a school look at the desired major at that school. Are there internship opportunities; career placement opportunities; what is the success rate? At college apply yourself in the classroom and out. Network with fellow students and faculty. The faculty is very important for success because they are most likely working professionals depending on your school. They have much knowledge and can guide you in the right direction, or even land you a job. Students are also keen to helping you out in and out of school. If they get a job, they can reference you for an open position. Expand your social circle in college by staying active ; it could be rewarding in the longrun. Also try to get advanced in your major in order to meet upperclassmen who will be in the work force before you.

The best advice anyone could ever offer is that you should go to school for what you want to do in life. School is, afterall, training for the real world. You shouldn't let anybody talk you into what your future plans should be. You only live once, so go to school for what you want to do. Once you get to school, stay open to everything. College is all about new learning experiences, so stay open to new ideas and take in as much as you can. While it is true that your social life may hinder your learning at points, try to remember why you enrolled in the first place: to learn. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to gear you for a world where the pursuit of happiness and money are two very large factors, which is why you should keep your job goals in mind and make sure not to neglect your studies. College is expensive and regardless of your social background, you're paying for it. You might as well make the right choices on the matter.

As far as finding the right college for yourself or your child, one should definitely look ahead of time. Do not procastinate and settle for any school that accepts you. Luckily, though I did not have the best decision or support, I found a school that met my careers path; however, I started searching months prior to my high school graduation which is not something I would recommend. I would advise someone to search a year earlier or even earlier than that. Keep in mind that college is basically a place where you are paying to work and mold your success; unless you apply for scholarships. By doing so your college experience will not be filled with wonders of how you're going to pay for school, and instead you'll be able to focus on your school work and turning in your best because you were focused. At the same time, I can attest that its a very smart choice NOT to 'run with the crowd'. In college its easy to curtail your goals and future; unless you surround yourself with students that share your same dream. Thus my advise to anyone is to stay focused and determined.

Parents - don't push your child to make a choice. Students - follow your heart. go where you want to go. if you don't love the school don't go. it's one more stress you don't need to add to your life. Take your time when choosing. there are tons of schools and consider foreign schools. Look into your major and see what your school offers. if your unsure of whether or not you want to stay with your major when you begin attending school see what other majors are available and what classes you can carry over from one major to another. START LOOKING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS THE SECOND THAT YOU FINISH MAILING OUT APPLICATIONS TO YOUR SCHOOLS!!!!!! trust me you can never start too soon and by the time you've startedd you're way behind the game. every free moment you have log on to the internet and apply for any and every scholarship you qualify for. when you have a question about what school fits you best, talk to your teachers. your friends can suggest options but they're in over theri heads too. know that whatever decision you make it is the right decision.

When choosing a college I believe that it is really important to dig deep into what your school is all about. The values and atmosphere of an institution can play a vital role in a positive or negative experience. If the majority of professors and students hold a similar view of your values it makes a world of difference in creating a more positive attitude in yourself and in your work. Upon finding a right fit, maintaining an optomistic perspective about your chosen field and exploring it to all ends can give you a really positive academic experience. Don't fret when things get overwhelming. Take a break, don't take yourself too seriously. It is afterall, the first years away from home and family. Having fun and meeting new and different people is equally important to an overall good experience.

Do not rush the decision. I was forced to choose quickly and ended up depressed at a school I hated. After that, I spent a year between schools not really knowing what I wanted. Give your students time to decide- I definitly reccomend community college if you are in any way indesicive.

To parents I say, let your children live. We only get to live once and nows the time. Let your child experience life in a dorm, or even better (and a lot cheaper), let them experience apartment life. Make your child start paying for their own things before college. Let your child get used to the fact that they need to learn how to support themselves. Let them learn to be individuals now, so they aren't surprised later. To students I say, socialize. Socialize with your classmates, socialize with your advisor, and socialize with your professors. Network yourself to everybody. You never know who will help you find a great job opportunity. Start being an adult now. Don't depend on your parents to feed, clothe, and shelter you. You aren't a baby anymore. It is time to start paying for groceries and bills. Get a job, which goes along with being an adult. A job is a great way to make money to pay for bills or all the loans you've built up. The best advice I can give though, is to keep trying. You may get disheartened, but it is worth it to keep trying.

Get involved as much as you can as soon as possible. The best way to be in the right place at the right time is to be in a lot of places!

To parents I have to say let your child follow his or hers dreams. Don't force the practical on them, instead nurture and encourage what it is they feel most passionate about. Encourage them to aim as high as possible even if it seems like a college may not be within their reach, help to do what it takes in order for them to see their dreams through. To the students, I say take a risk and choose a college that will pull you out of your comfort zone and force you to grow and mature. You are on the verge of adulthood, it is in college you become the person you will be for the rest of your life; therefore, you have not only consider the degree but also the character you will build in those four years. Explore yourself, let your dreams run wild and chase them relentlessly!

For me, academics were the most important on my decision in choosing a school. I knew exactly what I wanted to do in life and therefore the main thing for me was to find a school that could support me and help me achieve my goals. If you know what you want to do, it shouldn't matter where you go to school, as long as you're learning the right things from professionals who know what they're talking about. In order to learn the right set of skills for the rest of your life, you should be willing to try something new, whether it's a new form of living, or just a new area of living. For me it was moving into a big city (Chicago). I love the city and I love my countryside/cow town roots as well. Gaining new experiences is key to the college life.

It's important to visit schools that you are interested in. I visited many schools and had trouble deciding on which one to attend. After I visited Columbia College in Chicago I knew that it was the right school for me. The atmosphere of the school just clicked. Academics are an essential part of selecting a school. However, the importance of finding a school that has an accepting atmosphere as well as an exciting and diverse environment ranks right up there with the academic aspect of the college experience. Research research research. You need to learn all you can about potential schools. It's not good to just pick a school based on a whim. If you put the proper amount of energy and effort into finding the right school that fits your needs, you will be able to make your college experience both enjoyable and worth the time and money.

You need to find a college that fits who you are and what honestly feels right in your heart. If you go to an open house excited and can't wait to see what you can achieve there--then you found the right college. Find a college that will help you grow and experience new things that you can pass down to others for the rest of your life. College isn't just about the party social life, but also what you can get out of your career. If you feel the staff is willing to give you the best education to ensure you will graduate and do outstanding in the real world, then you have definitely found the right place. It is important to do what's best for you and your education.

If you are unsure of your career choice, start out at a Community College, and work your way through it. Not only will you be sving money, but also getting core classes out of the way before heading into your field of choice.

When looking for the right college a student should always way the pros and cons of the location, the education, the financial aid that the college is willing to give, and any scholarships or programs that the college supports. Take anything and everything into account, for example what is the size of the school, what is the average amount of students in each class, are professors more hands on with the students or do they run more traditional lecture styled classes. Does the college have a diverse community of students and faculty? These are all things that students and parents alike should be asking themselves before choosing the right college. Lastly always visit any colleges you are looking at, the best way to get a feel for a college and its campus is to visit it personally. When it comes to making the most of your college experience, a student must always stay focused and keep in mind that you are paying thousands of dollars for the education you are working towards.

Carefully research the curriculum, take note of required courses and flexibility in the curriculum for electives. Make sure that the curriculum is well suited to your career goals. You do not want to end up taking many courses that are not interesting to you and be left lacking the information and education you really need.