Duquesne University Top Questions

It's important to realize that your entire life will revolve around school. Studying should be your main pritority, however, you may get distracted by friends or drama. So, learn how to use your time for the right things. College is hard. You need to study everyday for long periods of time. It is necessary to understand that once you live in a dorm, you can't leave your problems. If you're having an issue with someone, figure out how to fix it like an adult because you will be living with or near that person for a while. It is best if you just try to get along with everyone from the very beginning. College is the first step into becoming an adult and so it's improtant to learn to be one.

The transition into college will happen at some point, but it takes patience and time. Although it is hard to balance schoolwork and the want to make new friends, it is possible. Schoolwork requires A LOT of time management, but achieving your goals is even more rewarding knowing how hard you have worked for them. It is easy to make a lot of friends once you get involved, but it's more essential to make strong, dependable friendships. These are the ones that will get you through the hardships of college. Many people believe that when at college schoolwork should come first. I agree with that statement, however, I have never turned away a friend in need if I was too "busy" with schoolwork. I have found this more rewarding than any goal that I have attained. In giving it is that we receive. College is what you make out of it and it is worth your time to get the most out of the experience.

I would have told myself to focus more on what I wanted to do with my life and how I wanted to start developing my career and life for the future. I would have told myself to really look at how to change myself and and open up to people and allow myself to make friends and really show my intellectual talents in the classroom. I also would have told myself to not be afraid to raise my hand and class and be open to making mistakes because everyone does, so it shouldn't matter if you allow yourself to become vulnerable inside and outside of the classroom.

To put it simply, I would recommend that parents and students alike leave a little room for uncertainty. College is a time of exploration, where a student can find him or herself and truly learn where their strengths and interests lie. To expect to have all of that figured out as a graduating senior in high school is unrealistic. Students change their minors and majors all the time; transfers between universities are commonplace. I feel that a studen trying to fit him or herself into a certain academic or athletic mold right at the outset is being counter-productive, as that student shuts out other possibilities that would be open to a student who was less "certain" about what they wanted. The most important question students can ask themselves when selecting a college is, "Is this a place where I can grow intellectually? Spiritually? Is this a place where I think I can find out who I am?" Then, if they keep their eyes and minds open, possibilities that capture their passions and their interests will appear before them, and, in time, their future will fall into place before their eyes.

Listen. Listen to yourself, listen to your parents, listen to your guidance counselors, listen to your academic advisors. Find a trusted adult non-family member you can talk to about your college decision; then listen to his/her advice. Once you have listened, then you must internalize and sort through all the advice, carefully considering everything, and then decide what you, yourself, want to do. Do not become anxious or distressed; that can destroy your ability to think clearly. Choosing a college decision is important, but it's not the most important choice. It's a means to an end -- and the end is becoming more fully the person you're meant to be.

The biggest advice I would give would be to visit all of the schools you are choosing between. Most students get to the school they think is going to be perfect for them and find out that they are unhappy with the area in which it is located or the lack of things there are to do. Social life is a big aspect of college, without it, all college would be is a more stressful expansion of high school. The students who get "the experience of a lifetime" in college are ones who not only focus on their studies, but time-manage with friends, sports, clubs, and other activities. It is important to succeed in life by being very goal-oriented in college, but it is also a time to still live your life before becoming a true adult and facing the "real world."

Just because you were rejected from your top university or college doesn't mean that the one you end up selecting will be horrible, give it an honest chance. Look at as many colleges and universities as possible, and make sure they have options because you might decide to switch majors. Don't take too much stuff, you can always bring more. Bring a popcorn bowl or four. Look up your professors before you select your classes. Do NOT buy from the campus bookstore, online sites are 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time less expensive.

I believe that finding the right school depends on the individual and one should follow one's heart when it comes to making such a decision.

Go with your gut feeling. If you think you'll like it, you probably will. It is understandable to be nervous, and making the choice is tough, but you just need to follow your instincts. The transition is tough and sometimes seems unbearable. But once you make it through the first semester, the rest is a piece of cake. Make sure to soak in the environment and take advantage of every opportunity. You only have so much time to spend in college so you have to make it worthwhile. Plus, you never know, you might make the best friends you've ever had. It is your time now. It is up to you to enjoy the time you're given.

The best advice that I can give parents regarding their child making the most of their college experience is to make them work for it. Teach the new student responsiblity. From my experience students who were given everything did not appreciate any of it. They took it all for granted and in turn did not fully get the most from their college experience. The experience is just not the education you take from the college, but who you are when you leave it. If you leave the college as the same person as you were before ,then you did not take anything from the experience, but if you are a better person, more responsible, more knowledgable and have good morals , then you recieved the full experience. As for finding the right college: do not chose a college because your friends are going there, or because the state "would be fun". Find a college that fits all of your individual needs. Also, tour each college, go with your gut feeling. Most of the time you can step into a college and just know that is the college that is right for you.

Choosing a correct college is vital to a student's happiness and success. I wish I could redo my freshman year for many reasons, beginning with researching the school a little more. I only visited when the campus was empty, and never got to speak directly with the current students. When getting to college, don't limit yourself to certain friends, activities, etc. Become involved! Look into extracurriculars. They're a fun way to meet different kinds of people, besides sticking to the girls on your floor or your boyfriend. It's best to have a wide array of friends that suit all of your interests. Also, seeking employment is always a positive thing, but wait until you're ready. College isn't the same as high school; the workload is a LOT more extreme. Give your classes a few weeks and establish a routine before deciding to add a job into the mix. Every college has a lot to offer, so take advantage of the opportunities! Get out there, meet people, learn new things, and HAVE FUN!

I would advice parents and students to visit the college and talk with students that attend the school. Do not choose a school based on its name but because you feel comfortable there. Make sure it has the program you wish to study and if there's a chance you may change your mind it has otherprograms you are interested in. Once at school it is important to become involved on campus. It helps you meet new people and makes campus feel more like home.

Take the cost into consideration strongly

The best advice I could give to potential students and parents of these students is to take your time and review all your options. The biggest mistake I have seen friends make is that they become set on a certain school and block out other avenues that could interest them. Even though you may think what type of school you want to be at, the best thing you can do is look at all different sizes, locations, public or private and then by visiting each kind you will have a better understanding or where you can see yourself. Start by visiting one college, then after you visit your second, compare the two and pick one you believe is a better fit for you. Then when you take a look at a third you only have to compare it to one instead of two. Also, make sure you apply to about 5 or 6 schools including a safety that you know you could get in to and a reach school to make sure you have options when you get your letters back.

I would recommend visiting all schools (if possible) that you are concidering attending. Talking with current students that attend each college is also incredibly helpful. You are able to get the students perspective on the college and not the faculty who do not usually live on campus.

Choose a school that fits you academically, finacially and socially!

go there in the winter as well as in the summer

ask current students and alumni for their opinion. look around at three or four.

When chosing a college, I believe it is important to take the time and visit each campus in order to experience what each college has to offer. When attending college it can be beneficial to inquire about dual degree programs to get the most out of your college tuition.

The college application and acceptance process is a big event in the lives of students. It is said that you go to college to make something out of your life and skills. But college is much more than just that; it is not your future, but rather the springboard to your future; it is not the place where you become something, but rather someone. Colleges and universities are academic institutions, but the academic aspect is only half of the experience. College is a place where people learn more about themselves than at any other point in their lives. Through academic studies, successes and failures, new social situations and experiences, extracurricular activities and volunteering, life in a fraternity or sorority, college shapes people through and through. Those four years are commonly reffered to as "the best four years of your life," but the most important year by far is freshman year. It is important to find a school where you feel you can easily adjust and acclimate to the college experience and lifestyle. But most importantly, the thing to keep in mind is that college is like a machine; the more work you put into it, the more you get out!

There are numerous things to consider when making such an important decision as to what college is right for the individual. The first thing is researching schools that are known for what a person is choosing as their field. Then make visits to both small and large schools as well as a few in rural and city areas. Get a feel for what kind of location and atmosphere fits. Next, talk to admissions, faculty, and even current students all of which will most likely present you with the school you prefer as well as the one that prefers you. A bit of advice would be to go into the admitions office with substancial academic and financial questions. Let them know what a brilliant person you are with other great college offers, but do not be snobbish and let them know you are sincerely interested in their school. That will most likely result in some scholarship offers. As far as the actual college experience itself, most people want to not only do well in school in order to be successful afterwards, but also to enjoy the time while they are there. The key thing to strive for is a good balance.

My best advice would be to go see the campus no matter how far of a trip it may be. Getting a feel for the school is worth everything. Pictures and information only go so far. When you get there the best thing to do is get involved. The benefits of making connections and having fun at the same time is priceless.

Visit the college campus. Makes a big difference.

I would find a college that is fulfilling in what the student is looking for, while keeping in mind the cost. Many majors today require more schooling than just undergraduate study. In these cases, the cost of a student's education will be significantly higher. Therefore, undergraduate school's importance reflects on the student's grades more so than where they actually attended. I would personally save my money for graduate school to save on debt after graduation.

Choose the college that most feels like home when you visit. Going to a well-known school is great, but if you really enjoy being somewhere, your life will be so much better and easier. Sometimes, smaller and lesser-known schools have opportunities that you would never get at a big, fancy school. In any event, work hard and really learn what your classes are teaching. It's easy to think it's boring and zone out, but as you come to the end of your college career, you'll realize how much useful information you missed or forgot this way. It really is worth it to work hard and learn the material to give yourself an edge when looking for a job later. If you're willing to do this, even a smaller less-prestigious school is a good starting point for a long and successful career, as long as you feel welcome and at home there.

I would advise them to finad a campus you are comfortable with. Not to far away from home. Study hard, have fun. Makre friends, join social groups. Take advantage of services offered. Go on trips with the school. Try a study abroad program.

Get involved in an extra-curricular activity.

When touring your potential colleges, take a self-guided tour. Find the students hanging out around campus and ask them the questions about college life that are most important to you. The people who live and study on campus will see the university in the ways that you will experience it your freshman year. In the end, your gut will be able to tell you as you walk around and explore on your own whether you belong at that college/university or not. It's cheesy, but you'll know. Once you get to school, take advantage of Orientation, even if you hate icebreakers. If you don't find your best friends through Orientation, get involved. Join Student Government so that you can have a say in operations that don't work or you don't like. Join a group where you can be silly and relax. Find friends who will listen to you vent about your bad test and your most recent ex. Try everything new. Stay on top of your homework, but be willing to step back and take the chances necessary to improve your college experience.

good luck

I would encourage students to apply to schools that they didn't initially intend on looking in to. I did not plan to attend the university I am at, and not because I was denied elsewhere. I was accepted everywhere I applied, and Duquesne was my backup, but my parents forced me to tour it, and I fell in love. Whenever you find the right college, you will know. You will absolutely love it and know that it is the place for you. I discovered that and I could not be happier. College is best time of your life. Enjoy it, get inovlved, meet as many people as you can, and live it up. It's all about doing the work, learning, and getting a great degree and job, but there is so much more to college than that. No matter where you attend, college is what you make of it. Just live it up, however you want to. It may be the first time in your life that you can be your true self, and you will find people who love you for that and will be your friends. College is amazing :)

It's not only important to find a school where you like the environment, but also a school that offers a good solid program in the field that you are going into.

Don't get too overwhelmed in your college choice. Make sure you know what you want, and then just go for it. Talk to people who go to the school you're interested if you can to get the real scoop.

Look at what happens when they are DONE with school....are they fully prepared? were they introduced to companies? job potential?

Do not pick a school that you can live with. Pick the school that you cannot live without. You have to be able to see yourself actually waking up every morning, walking around campus, and attending class, as well as making friends and having a healthy social life. Also, make sure that the are that the school is in is conducive to the things that you like to do. Once you are able to picture yourself doing this on a certain college campus, you know that that particular school is it. When actually attending school, keep up with your work so that you are able to enjoy a healthy social life. You do not want to procrastinate and stress yourself out so that you cannont enjoy college life appropriately. College prepares you for the rest of your life while you are having the time of your life. Make the most of it!

Don't just talk to the people in financial aid or the person giving a campus tour or even the teachers, because they will tell you that everything is wonderful about their university. Find an actual student to talk to, preferably a junior or senior and preferably someone in the same intended major, so you can get their opinion about what campus life is like for them. They can probably give you the best advice because they've experienced the challenges, opportunities, etc. that the university has to offer.

There is always a way to pay for it. Loans aren't everyone's favorite thing in the world, but they're a fact of life when it comes to college. Pick the best ones, and worry about paying them later, don't stress it. Stay on top of your stuff! Educate yourself on the financial aid avaliable. Maintain a healthy balance between social life and your studies. It is possible for both to coexist! BE YOURSELF! And rather than going for what looks good on paper, go for where you feel like you belong.

Visit and spend time at the various colleges that you are considering. Do not go to a school for the wrong reasons. Make sure that it is the right institution for you because you will be potentially spending a whole lot of money there for the next 4+ years of life!

Go with your heart. If you visit a university that just "clicks" and "feels right", one that you're just drawn to, find a way to make it happen. Wether you have to work part time, eat Ramen noodles for weeks on end, fill out scholarships applications; do whatever it takes. Never settle for less when when an opportunity presents itself. College can be such a wondeful experience full of opportunities to enhance your future and bring out your potential. Unfortunately many people, myself included, lose sight of this in the midst of choosing a university or even after they've enrolled. As an individual, you have the right to be happy with your life, move forward, and enjoy your college experience. Never forget that. College is about YOU. It is about furthering your education and stepping into the adult world as a confident, experienced graduate. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. This is your time to be a little bit selfish.

Don't simply pick a school based on whether you know people who are going there or not, or where your friends are going. Not a single person from my high school goes to Duquesne and I feel that that has made my experience here all the better. Not knowing a single person when I came her forced me to go out and meet new people and make new friends; some of who are now my best friends. Also, college is not just about going out and partying all the time, or staying in and studying all the time; it is a complete life experience. I can honestly say that it is probably the best experience I have ever had, I have learned so much and met so many amazing people and had many wonderful experiences here in the past three years. Try and meet as many people as you can, and learn from them and their experiences. Get involved! Make a difference, it only takes one person. Take time to really think about your decision of what school to go to, it will truly change your life.

The advice I would give to people about college is to save up. It becomes extremely expensive especially when you can't get a loan to pay for it. Plan ahead and be smart with your money.

Try to find something that will work for everyone. I love my school, but I just don't fit in with the background. I am a very strong person so I was able to adapt well, but not everyone can. Try to find a college that has people just like you!

I would suggest that students take the time to think about what they would like to do and then make a decision on the right college. I am an adult student who took a long time and three schools begfore I figured it out.

Take a risk. Don't go to a school because your friends are doing it, your parents want you to, or you're too scared to go off on your own. Find a school that gets you excited and nervous. Find a school that will allow you to grow into yourself through meeting people, study abroad experiences, volunteering, etc. College should be one of the best times of your life. Don't shortchange yourself. Live it.

Don't look at cost when deciding a college. If you do that you limit your choices of maybe finding that collge you really want to go to. Make sure you go visit as many as possible, and meet someone in your field of study. That way you can ask all the important questions that you want answered, and aren't suprised when you arrive on campus. Even ask if you can sit it on a few classes, or even stay at night. Decide which type of enviroment is you. Are you able to go to a big school where you are just a number to the faculty, or a small school where students, and faculty remember your faces and your name year after year. Do you want to go to a school in the city or one out in the country? Do you want need to go to a school that has a good Division I sports team, or if they have good activities to keep you busy on campus?

It doesn't matter where you go, it's what you do with your time there that makes college what it is.

If you want a personal experience and a great education Duquesne is right for you!

Choosing a college is like choosing a good running shoe. If the shoe does not fit properly, the runner will experience pains that permeate his entire body. With those pains the runner is less likely to journey as far. But if the shoe is supportive not only will his feet rejoice, but his body will capable of continuing the journey for miles upon miles. The runner is compared to the student. The pair of shoes is the college in which he/she chooses. If the fit is poor, the performance will also be deficient and the "body" will ache in spirit, pride, and enthusiasm. But, if the fit is perfect the student will exceed expectations and continue the journey through life with a sense of accomplishment. In conclusion, make sure the university or college fulfills every need in mind, body, and spirit and success will surely be achieved. Look for every opportunity on campus and off to learn and grow as an individual. Never become satisfied with the knowledge attained, but continually hunger for more knowledge and more life experiences. This will truly create a perfect college experience and more importantly, a life experience.

Find a school with the major you are looking for, but make sure you pick the right size school for you. Some of my friends picked the schools they went to solely based on the program they wanted to study. However, they were un-happy because the school was either too big or too small or they didn't like the location. You have to go somewhere you will feel comfortable and happy, and somewhere they offer a challenging program in the field you wish to study.

In order to chose the right college, one must consider their strengths and weaknesses. When a person really examines themselves, they can find our what kind of environment would be best for them. For example, if a person has a learning disability, it might be better to go to a smaller school where it would be easier to ask questions and become closer with the professors. Also, the location of the school is an excellent thing to consider. I thought I wanted to be far away from my hometown, but once I left, I quickly became homesick. After I met new friends and started to become more outgoing, however, I was no longer feeling homesick. Once you choose the right school, it's important to get involved in on campus activities. They help you meet new people and help you feel more welcome and at home.

Make sure you take the time ot visit the school to make sure like the location and the enviroment. That is key when it comes to studying and feeling comfortable. Also look at the majors. A school that has a program just for your major usually makes the number of years less, which saves you money and means the program is stronger.