Eastern Illinois University Top Questions

Pick something that you are most interested in studying.

My advice to parents would be try to find the best education out there for your child's choice of major. Keeping in mind your financail situation, it get's really stressful when you get in a financial rut, this happened to me this past semester and it causes the student to really lose focus on their studies. Also, try to find a campus that is small, that way their student gets the most out of their learning exprerience and they really get to know their professors and classmates due to the teacher/student ratio. My last comment would be to make sure the student can handle going away to college, many students get to college that is further away from home, and months into it they want to drop out and come home because they get home sick and they didn't think they would. Make sure, the student applies to more than three places so their options are limitless. Thank you

I think that you really need to see more than one school. You need to see a bunch of schools to pick the right one for you. You need to know that you have to be serious and studious. You must be focused and determined. But you should also remember to have fun and make friends. Let people in, get to know them. You will make the most amazing life-long friends here.

I would tell parents and students that they should make the choice together. I believe that the parent should be invovled thought out the whole process. Students should make sure they visted the campus, contact some people who attend the school. That way you will get a small view of what the campus it like. I would also tell them that although this is one of the most important decision of you life, make sure you attend a school where you will be happy. A school where you can enjoy yourself socially and academicly.

It is extremely important that the student in question is comfortable at his or her new college. Sometimes the sizes of colleges can be intimidating or clostrophobic to students. I encourage every student to visit several colleges before making his or her choice. The college visits help students get an idea of what college life is like. If you can, chat with current students at the college to get a better idea of what campus life is like. When you get to college, the best thing to become socially involved is to live on campus. Sure you may have to use a community bathroom, but you'll make many new friends in your dorm! Stay involved on campus, whether it's with a Greek orginization, clubs, sports, or volunteer work. This will ensure that you become a well rounded individual. Who knows, you may even meet a future employer while being in campus activities.

Make sure that you decide what college is the right one for you. The college that you feel the most at ease at. Otherwise you will become depressed and stressed out about having to attend college and do all this work when you don't even want to be there. Try to get involved in some on campus activities it will make adjusting to the college life so much easier on a person.

I would encouraged parents to research colleges and universities to find the best one that fits their needs. They should focus on cost, location and academics of the school. I would encourage the students to get involved in organizations and make a lot of new friends because your social life will help you stay on top of your academics.

Prospective students and their parents should research the colleges they consider attending. Choosing a major always seems to be an important question and may help the student narrow down his/her choices. However, it has been my experience that college advisors will tend to push for one major that is based on ACT or SAT scores. As a high school senior full of hope and promise, I went to several orientations, chose my university and picked my major. I felt pressured (whether real or imagined) into choosing a major that was extremely difficult for me. By the second year of college I had become increasingly uncomfortable with my field of study. I felt like a failure and dealt with depression. I would advise students to take general education classes the first two years of college. By the second year there is growth, maturity and adjustment to the college routine. Students will be able to make better decisions on the field of study that really interests them. For me, the answer was as clear as the nose on my face by the second year, however it took me four semesters to realize it. Don't give up!

In finding the college that fits you best, the most important thing to look at is the environment (social and academic). Eastern Illinois University was the right fit for me because it was in a town that was not too big, yet it had enough social events to keep my social life exciting. The academic environment was right because the class sizes were rather small (30 per class) and the teachers/advisors were very accomodating and helpful. Another important thing to look for in a college of choice is majors. Some colleges offer majors that others dont. It may be that the college that fits environment wise wont fit major wise. In order to make the experience worthwhile the student should keep an open mind to what ever comes their way. The student should be willing to try things they have not tried as well as balance their social and academic obligations. Once there is a balance in social life and academic life, college life should be the best time ever.

Find a college that fits your style. If you love city life don't attend a rural college and vice versa. Choose a college that is well known for the field you are entering. Once on campus, join organizations that center on your academic field and/or your hobbies. Find people with common interests. Freshman blues can be beat by surrounding yourself with friends and people with the same interests. Have fun! Explore!

The key to finding the right college is finding the place that you feel most comfortable. Visit the schools, talk to the students, tour the campus and dorms... I urge you to really get to know each university/college you are considering. I did not visit any of the schools i applied, but I got lucky and ended up loving the school I chose, but you might not. It's much easier to find the right school the first time than to transfer half way through.

Parents and students should work together in selecting the right school. I know that my parents didn't help me in choosing a school -- they barely helped me financially, but I understand they made the decision that was in their best interest. Having a school that isn't close to home might be important for the student, but what a lot of my friends have overlooked is just how expensive it is to travel home over the Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks. The parent might be worried about the financial cost of a school, but that should be a low priority. Scholorships and awards can help (but perhaps not entirely) with the cost. I recommend living on campus for at least 1, if not all 4 years. The "dorm" lifestyle helped procure my social tastes, and taught me who my real friends are. Living with a stranger actually benefited me in the long run, because I was more open to meeting new people who didn't share my every interest, or who knew all my stories from childhood. I had a whole new group of people to entertain with tales of friends, lost and found.

The advice that I would give parents is to let the student decide where he or she would like to attend. Every school is a party school and each student has the opportunity to go above and beyond in any school they attend. Everything is up to the student on how hard they work and how badly they want to have success in the future. Parents also need to learn to give the student some space and to start learning how to deal with situations on their own and not having to rely on the parent. I believe that is a big step towards maturing and going away to school. The number one advice that I would give the student would be to remember why they are attending school, remember why you are there. To enjoy the expierence, but to be able to do the right thing. In life the easiest things always come easy which are the easiest decisions to make and the hardest things in life are the toughest decisions to make. Do not let the letters of your college make you, you make the letters!

Do not hold back sometimes you have to break out of your shell but its for the better! Pick a scholl after visiting and spen a night there with someone you know! Dont judge the school by the party scene but go and talk to a professor or two too!

When selecting a college make sure you visit it in order to understand the facilities. Also plan to check out financial possibilities in under to get the best eductaion out of your money. Then talk to current students either family, friends or simply college students who don't give you a tour of the school in order to understand the school more completely from an inside perspective. Expect to work hard and never settle for your best work.

The key to picking any college is first off comfort. It needs to be a place where the student could really see themselves spending four years with the same people and scenery. Comfort is the most important thing because if the student is not happy, then they will have a far harder time completing their college education. Only after that does the academic focus of the school become important. What the school is best known for is crucial because it would be in that area that they would be most equipped to prepare students for the reality of the professional field. Very often, the school focus would also have the best job placement, ultimately serving the purpose of college. I think that the distance from home is very important also, because a school too far away is either going to prompt the student to come home too often, affecting their academic and social experience, or the student will become depressed due to home sickness. A school too close to home will be as if the student never left, and the separation that college brings is important for the development of a young person.

You need to realize college is a time that you can test the water in an area you are interested in, but you can always find something that suits you better. This is an imoportant time in your life and the decisions made will effect the rest of your life. So be positive this is what you want t o do with your life. Education is very important regardless of the major that you choose. It will open many doors for you in the world when you are finished with school. This is a serious choice and job, being a student gives you the saftey and enviroment to strech your wings with guidance close by. To me I feel that you must be willing to make new friends and go out and try something new that you are comfortable with. These are the best years of your life so make the most of them.

Go visit different colleges and pay attention not only to the campus (including facilities, teachers and students), but also the surrounding town. Too often are students displeased with the town that their college is in but they never thought to experience it before they came. Another good piece of advice is to not just take the word of an orientation leader. These students are there to sell the school when they take you on a tour. Grab a student walking around campus and ask a couple opf questions. This will give you a less skewed idea of what the atmosphere on campus is really like. Once you are attending school understand that it goes by quicker than you can ever imagine. Develop a strong work ethic from the beginning so that the ride will be smooth. College can be the greatest or worst experience you will ever have depending on what you make of it. Good luck!

Do what you want as a student. Be open for change and new experiences.

The best thing I ca say is to visit the colleges of your choice and take a tour of campus and talk to students to learn about their experiences and how they like attending those colleges.

Let your child make their own decisions. What they decide is best for them.

I would suggest looking at the cirriculum and seeing if it fits you and what you want to do with yourself. I would suggest going to a community college first if you are uncertain of what you want to do. Get active and involved in as many ways as you can, and don't be so worried about your grades that you are afraid to leave your dorm room. You just have to study hard, but you can have fun too. Choose the college more based on where it can take you and what you can do than on other things. Also pay attention to the way that the instructors act. They will be important in helping you through your college career.

First of all, get out there and start looking at colleges. Visiting a campus and getting a feel for it is very important because it will be the place in which you will go for the upcoming years of your life. Make sure you feel comfortable with the campus and surrounding area and especially the people of the university. As for the college experience, make sure you have a good fun experience but make sure to never forget why you are there. It is your future career and you should never lose sight of your goals and aspirations. Keep your eye on the prize is something that my family always tells me and I want to pass that along to anybody thinking of going to college or even current students who feel that they are not going anywhere with their life. This truly is a life changing experience and I have no regerets of my choice.

When it comes to looking for a school, the most important thing is to talk to the students who already go there. Their satisfaction will be the best predictor of your college experience because they are under no obligation to get you to go there. Even though academic reputation is important, it is not everything. In the end, you'll get out what you put in, so it's more important to find an institution that you will be comfortable in. As far as making the most of your college experience, (1) get involved, and (2) get to know your professors and other faculty. By getting involved, you will not only immerse yourself in groups of great people with whom you'll become friends, but you'll also be more invested in your university, which will push you toward excellence. Getting to know your teachers is also incredibly important because they are the ones who ultimately control your academic satisfaction. By forming relationships with them, they will see that you care about what you are doing and will be willing to help you if ever you need it.

Go on as many college visits as possible so that you are able to see what school fits you the best. Dont choose a school based off of things someone else has told you. You must find out information about the school on your own so you are able to make your own judgement. When you arrive to a campus ask yourself this question, "Can I see myself living here for the next 4 or 5 years?" Lastly make sure there are things around tound you can get into other than the campus life.

The advice I would give is to apply to many schools, even to ones you think you won't get into. Make sure the school you go to is somewhere you want to go and not somewhere your parents are telling you to go. Also, take as much time as you need to pick out a major; it is something YOU will be doing for the rest of your life, not your parents. Do what makes you happy because it is your life. MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

Visit the schools you're looking at. A chance to picture yourself on that campus may be the experience you need to make a decision.

Think about what you want your future to look like. Think about what type of classes you like to participate in: whether you are a visual learner or a student who needs to participate to learn. Consider class sizes and content matter. When living on campus, one should consider the type of people they want to be around. Get involved in extra-curricular activities. College schedules are much different than high school: there is a good deal of down time. It is a good idea to get involved because it keeps you active, as well as introducing you to new people. Getting involved also looks good on a resume, so if you are looking to find a job after you graduate (which is everyone) extra-curricular activities appeal to those people hiring. Remember that this is the time in your life where you are experiencing things you never have before. It is an immense growing period, and what you look like when you first enter college is not what you will look like when you leave it.

A student should not be afraid to ask questions. When they go to visit the school ask questions even if you think they are strange. Don't just visit a school once, if possible go at least twice before orientation. Don't let that be the first time you step on the campus. Once you know where you are going, don't forget to make connections to your professors and other people on camppus. Those connections will help you greatly in the future!

Make sure you know how your child/ student will react to the switch and increase in resposibility. Know you limits. Find a college that works for you.

When choosing a college, find colleges that have good programs for the major you are interested in. Don't let partying distract you from getting good grades, because there are always parties, but you only get one chance at your grade! Don't mess it up. Some people get too wrapped up in grades, however, and get really stressed and have no fun. It's important to balance fun and grades. Find a middle ground for you college lifestyle that allows for fun, but doesn't take away from your studies.

I don't know, just make sure you read everything. As a student, try to meet friends down their that attend the school and ask them the up's and down's. it is the only way to get a real honest idea about the school and acedemic life at your choice campus!

Take your time. Ask as many questions as you can think of. Make sure you see the campus; dont be afraid to ask to see a students room. Try not to just talk to a recruiter; ask to talk to a student. Students should try and spend a day on campus. See if the school offers a shadow program, or a program where you could spend the day or an overnight with a current student. There is no wrong question to ask when looking for the right college. Think about what you want to get out of your four years, and think about what is already currently important to you. If excersize is important to you ask to see what facilities they offer, prices, hours of opperation, classes that are offered, etc. Ask to see the library, maybe even go in on your own and see how willing they are to help you find what you are looking for, or if there willing to give you a tour. You are going to be spending at least four years here, make sure you are going to be happy.The happier you are the more successful you will be!

My advice that I would give parents and students looking for a college would be to go on college visits and take the tour. While you are there find random students, this isn't as embarrassing to the students as it sounds, and ask them what they like about the school and what they don't like. Tell them what you are looking for in a school and as them if that is what they would get if they attended that school. Random students will be completely honest because they have nothing to lose or gain from lying about the school, orientation leaders are required to tell you certain things. Also stay for a weekend and check out some resturants and drive around and see how student spend their weekends out. Check out things you are interested in to make sure those options are avalalible, i.e. grosery stores, churches, clothing stores, bars, bowling alleys, etc.

I would have to tell parents to let their children chose the right school for themselves because any potential college student who is forced to attend a specific school will automatically be unsuccessful. I would tell parents to visit numerous colleges with their children so their options are broadened. I believe parents should guide their children in the right direction without pushing them a certain way. Becoming involved in college activities might seem stressful the first year, but I truly believe it is the way to make the most out of the "college experience". Joining clubs or a sorority/fraternity is a great way to meet life long friends but I believe that if potential students attend college with an open-mind, the experience will create itself.

dont pick a school based on what the parents want lets the student make their own decison it will be the first of many they will have to make on their own.

There are so many colleges to choose from. Before you pick a college to go to, make sure you look at all of your options. Do not pick a college based on social life. Make sure that the education programs are the one you need for your major. If you like smaller class sizes, look for smaller Universities. The smaller the classes, the more your professors will know you personally. The most important part of college is to get involoved. Pick a college that offers numerous opportunities to be invovled within the campus. Also notice the accessibility of the campus. Make sure it accessible to run to a store, or grab a meal. Personally, school spirit is a big deal to me. If you are all for school spirit, look around the campus and see if you notice school pride. The most important thing to remember about picking a campus is if it feels right to you. If your not comfortable with the campus, keep looking.

let your children choose a college that they think best suits them. don't pressure them into a college that they don't want to go to.

I would tell them to search for the school that offers a curriculum that closely matches their area of interest. Don't be deterred by the size of the school. Once the student is enrolled I strongly suggest that they become involved with extra-cirricular activities and the community. They are young adults now and need to begin building a strong foundation for their future.

I would tell students to chose a place where you know you will be able to feel comfortable. I understand that sometimes venturing out of your hometown is scary and uncomfortable, but you have to think of the long run. All the things you will take in from venturing out such as: trying new things and working with people who are different from you, will benifit you. It will help shape you into a better and more knowledgable person. Also, once entering college, get invovled! That was the best thing that I have ever done. I was invovled socially and academically. I met friends that I know I will keep for a lifetime. I learned things that has helped shaped me into a better teacher. I have met people who have taught me about their lives and made me more aware of how the world is. Most of all, being involved has taught me who I am and what I am capable of doing. Venturing out of my hometown and trying something new has taught me how to succeed in life by just being myself.

My advice to parents and/or students when researching colleges and finding one that is best suited for them is to listen to your heart. Even though my Dad wanted me to go to Eastern Illinois University, I am not happy here. Not by any means am I saying that it's a bad school, but it is just not the school that I wanted to go to. I am completely paying for my college education so I should be able to attend the school that I want (DePaul University). Besides following your heart, I would advise students/parents to look at the location of the school to make sure it is something that would keep the student involved and happy, do site visits and sleep overs at the college to see if you get along with the students there, research the college to make sure they have the firld that you want to get in to and that they have the appropriate resources, and also check if the accomodate special needs and if they have organizations that the student is interested in.

First off, tell their kids to go to class and get their homework done, thats most important. Next I'd say get involved on campus because that is the best way to make friends. In picking a school, that depends on the options the student has. If the student has a lot of money to spend and good grades then they can choose where they want, but if those two options arent available then the student has to look at the available schools and choose what feels right.

I would defintely tell parents and students to do their research. Talk to current students at the university to see what campus life is REALLY like. The books and websites do not tell you everything! Also, I would keep in mind certain factors such as how far away is the college from home, is there good public transportation systems, and is there a lot of jobs available. Students should also write out their expectations for college. Parents may also want to do the same thing. When looking at colleges, the expectations list should be brought along. The college that most closely matches the expectations list should be given serious preference above the other schools.

Pick a school that you feel in your gut is right. If there's something off about a certain school, dont go there, you won't be happy. If you have even the tiniest desire to go away to school, do it. Even if it is only for a year, do it just to see what it is like. You will be happy you did it even if you hated it. That way you took advantage of that opportunity when you had the chance.

I think that finding the right college is a very tedious process. My best advice would be visit as many as possible, and find the ones you were really drawn to. Make sure to apply to a couple and do not set your mind on just one in case it does not work out. Think about what kind of enviorment will suite you best, a smaller campus or a larger one. Colllege can be a wonderful experience and finding the right one will make it that much better.

Don't go to college just to party and drink alcohol. You can find friends at college who don't drink -- I did, and I am so glad I am not in the partying crowd. You can still have fun without partying. And even if you think paying attention in class is boring, deal with it and your outlet can be the extra activities. Get involved with something you are interested in, especially something that involves your major. I am a journalism major and am involved with radio and newspaper. I think that is the most important thing -- get involved with things that will help you when you graduate. And don't stress that much, the weekend is never far away. Parents, don't worry if your son/daughter doesn't call you as often as you like... it's time for them to break free. You should call them, though, if you haven't heard from them in a long time. And don't worry... this is a very exciting time in your son/daughter's life!

Pick a school that has your desired major or one that you think you might be leaning towards. Don't pick a school for being a party school, take a tour and go where you feel that you could be most comfortable and a place that you can one day call home since you live here 9 months out of the year. Keep in mind that being far away from home isn't for everyone, I like the happy medium... far enough so my parents aren't here every weekend and I learned to live on my own but close enough that I can go home when I need to! Good Luck!

Find a college that is the right size for you and has a programs that you are interested. I would start off with an undecided major because your major might change over time. Start off by taking gen eds and try to pick your major by second semester or first semester freshman year. Meet friends through dorms, apartments, jobs and get involeved!

Students really need to research a lot of different colleges that way they have lots of colleges to choose from. They need to make sure the choose the one that is best for them. They need to look at the size of the campus, size of classes , and the activities that they could possibly be involved with. Once they choose their school they need to go take a tour of it that way they can get a feel for the campus before they actually start school. Once school starts try to talk to as many people as you see during the first week. First impressions are very important, and you don't have a chance to make another one. Find out all the clubs and activities that the school offers and join as many as you can. You want to be involed with a club but make sure you are academically secure also. Your grades should come first, then your clubs, then a social life with friends. Just be yourself and don't let anyone try to convence you to do something that you don't want to be. Always be yourself, thats who you family and friends already like!

Making sure they have the right degree program and the student would feel comfortable by attending the prospective instiution.