East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Deborah

After experiencing the college selection process, the best advice I could to someone is making sure your major or a major you seem somewhat interested on is being offered at the school. The worst thing you can do is go to a school and later learning that you are interested in nothing that is being offered. Also, the environment of the school and its location is important as well. If you are not a city person then going to school in the city might be a little challenging due to the noise level. The most important thing is to make sure when visiting the campus that you truely feel comfortable and are satisfied with your decision. Going somewhere you don't want to go can definetly take a toll on you in your school work and social life. So go with your instincts, if you feel some kind of connection, then you'll know what to do.

Jillian

For parents, provide guidance, but be supportive. When your child(ren) know that you are supportive, no matter what choice they make, it will put them at ease and help make their college decision much easier.

Chris

Visit alot of schools and dont just go somewhere because your friends are, be able to take in new things and make new friends.

Keriann

Make sure they stay on top of their advisors!

Nicole

When I arrived for the visit at East Stroudsburg University, the feeling I got when I arrived was "this is where I belong." It'll come to you, promise.

Kymberly

The college experience is about finding out who you are as a person, and who you want to be going forward. As academics play a huge part in your future and securing a great job, there are many other factors that should be considered as well when choosing a college. A school that challenges you academically will open your mind and introduce you to new areas of study, introducing a new array of interests that you can explore outside of school. The social and physical landscapes also play a huge role in your happiness while exploring your inner self at college. You must choose a school with a campus whose layout you can appreciate, and whose location allows you to engage in activities you find mentally and physically stimulating, whether that be professional sports games, hiking, city exploring, or art and theatre. The campus must also have social clubs that you would be interested in. It is also important that the school must be somewhere you would feel comfortable, including the choice of housing, dining, and study lounges. It is most important that you choose a school where you feel you can be your self, but leaves room for growth.

Holly

Choose your major wisely. Look at all the college has to offer, i.e. financial aid, cost. etc.

Victor

First, figure out if they would like to go to a big college or a small one... one can figure that out by comparing the size of their school or town, and determining if they're happy with the population or if they wish it was smaller or bigger. Next would have to be using the career resources at their high school to at least get an idea on what they'd like to do as a career, and finding colleges that support and focus on similar degrees. Upon selecting a variety of colleges, the parents and students should go and take a tour of the colleges they are interested in, and take a look at what the campus does to enhance one's chances of getting a job after college, be it holding job fairs or requiring internships: that eliminates some possibility of not getting a job in your field after college. Finally, they should also talk to the college students currently enrolled... but not just the 'tour guides' that assist them when they go. While they are very helpful, usually a specific type of student will be a tour guide, and may not represent the college population.

Edward

Look around at lots of schools. do not just apply to one and go there

Ashley

Take a campus tour first and check out the classroom sizes.

Samantha

In order to find the right college, you have to visit a lot of schools and get a feel for what is right for you. You can't just grab c brochure and pick the name out of a hat, you have to think about it. I visited about ten different school before I chose East Stroudsburg University. It just felt right when I was visiting there. If you are going to make the most of your college experience, don't hold back. Don't be afraid to try new things or make new friends who may not be exactly like you. Also, don't go home every weekend, you could make friends at college unlike any other friends you have ever had.

Amanda

Make sure that you go and visit the college. They may seem good on paper but actually going and seeing what it's like in person may change your mind on whether it's a school you really want to go to.

Gregory

Apply early to alot of colleges and make sure to visit each one of them before you make your decision. This will affect you for the rest of your life! If a college is willing to give you grants and scholarships to attend their school, then they must really want you. Also plan ahead your finances so you are not worrying in the future.

Jennifer

I would tell parents and/or students to sit down together and write a list of everything the student wants out of higher education. After making that list it will be easier to find the perfect school by using that checklist as a guide when visiting potential universities. This will ensure that both of you are getting exactly what you want. For example, my mom was worried about safety and I wanted a small, inexpensive school. My university is the second safest in Pennsylvania and it takes me five minutes at the most to walk from one end of campus to the other. Students: GET INVOLVED as a freshman! I cannot stress how intrinsically and extrinsically rewarding joining campus clubs will be...and being well rounded puts you ahead of your competition once you graduate and apply for a job.

Amanda

The advice I would give to parents and students about finding the right college would be to not settle on the basis of money. While I realize that some schools may be very expensive and well out of the budget of many families, I do not believe you should attend a school that will cost you less, but will not challenge you as a student and as a person. I think the best advice I was given, but foolishly did not take, was to attend a community college for 2 years before going on to a 4 year school to complete my degree. Had I done this, I would have saved myself a great deal of money and probably would have received a better education in my liberal art subjects.

Shelby

Find somewhere you feel at home and like the location.

Allison

RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. And then go visit the college you think you really want to go to.

Christina

Follow your heart. I went the practical route and went to school in my hometown where I was able to pay less for school by staying at home along with other things. I had a lot of benefits to this but I feel like I grew up too fast. I am completely responsible for my finances and everything at home, so I feel like I never got to enjoy college life. I love everything that I do, but I feel like I never allowed myself to just live for the moment and see where life could really take me. I know I would have had several opportunities in other schools that I will never have here and again, I love every experience I have been fortunate enough to have but I truly feel like there is more out there that I have missed out on. So follow your heart, even if being practical makes more sense, just realize that money comes and goes but your education only has these few moments to mold you. So make the absolute most of it while you can and deal with practicality when the time is right, cherish this young life while you can.

Christine

I would tell them to make sure they actually visit the college before attending because it is all about how you feel at the school. If you do not feel right you will not be able to focus on your school work, or make friends.