Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Top Questions

The best advice I could ever give myself is to not rush into life. I went to college right out of high school and changed my major twice before I got my first BS degree in Psychology, but once I received my degree I was not interested in working for minimum wage in detention facilities so I went back to college and worked on my masters in Forensic Science. Again when I came to the end of the program I was having trouble finding a job because my focus was on investigation and not science. Throughout this time I joined the Army Guard as a medic and found myself falling back on health care jobs and that is when I realized my passion for nursing. If only I had taken my first couple of years out of high school to find out who I was and what I really wanted for my self I might have began nursing many years ago. When I have children of my own I hope I allow them to find themselves like I wish I had done all those years ago. It is a lot harder to start fulfilling your life at 28.

I would tell myslef to work a little harder. Education is the key to success in life. I would try to challenge myself more to really see how well I could do. I would also tell myself to think twice before making any big decisions. I started going to Purdue University, and I think that held me back from what I really wanted to do.

Get more involved in clubs!

If I could go back in time and give myself advice there would be so much that I would like to tell myself. I could tell myself to study more and it might result in getting better grades, I could tell myself to just enjoy it and it might result in studying abroad and enjoying the moment, but what I would really tell myself is college is what you make of it. If you want college to be about partying and having fun then that is what it will be about. If you want college to be about academic success then it will be about exactly that. The reason I say this is because of the thought process. College life will force you to learn about yourself and explore what makes you happy. Telling myself that college is what I make it will drive me to dig deeper into what I love and how I feel. It will create and stimulate thoughts, ideas and dreams that I never had in high school. Going into college not knowing what to expect was the best part of my experience and is what has shaped me into who I am. "Ignorance is Bliss."

I would advise myself to have as much fun possible my senior year because I had to take on a serious alternative mother role for my younger brother that year when my mom moved away. It dampered some of the fun I could have enjoyed my senior year before I had to buckle down and take school and my life seriously. I would also have advised myself to apply towards more scholarships than I did. While I'm not having financial problems because of school, it would have been really nice to have not needed to take out any loans from IUPUI.

I wish I would have taken more advanced credit classes in high school. I would have liked to have saved up more money for college so I wouldn't have to pay as much when I finished.

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to learn study habits in high school. It's difficult to jump into college and not know how to study. College profesors don't go that easy on you. When you have two or three tests in one week, and you don't know how to sit down and study, you won't be able to do well on your tests. I would also tell myself to get involved. I wasn't that involved my freshman year of college, so it wasn't that enjoyable. However, now I'm starting to get more involved and it's becoming easy to make new friends. Have the confidence to go out and do things you didn't do in high school, that is the best advice I could give myself. Step outside of the box.

i beiieve im aself stater and i have ability to work hard.

Pay attention in class and devote yourself to your studies. What you don't learn in high school, you will have to learn in college. The more you learn and the harder you work while in high school, the easier it will be to succeed in college. Learn to complete assignments on time and don't procrastinate, as this is a definite way to bring your grades down. Be sure to stay as calm as possible while making the transition to college life, because it is extremely stressful during the first few months of college. If you become overstressed, your grades will suffer. Most of all, you must be dedicated to your career choice. No matter what, you must always give it your best, in spite of the trials you will undoubtedly endure.

If I could go back to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to stay in school and don't let anything get in your way of becoming a teacher. After high school, in 2005, I was set on attending college the next fall. I let a relationship get in the way of college and now, in 2009, I am still a college freshman. I would simply tell myself to focus on school. My life goals should come before a romantic relationship.

I would tell myself that reading and comprehending is the most important aspect of learning. It is very important to keep up with assignments and to maintain focus on your goals. Do not let yourself get caught up in the pressures of college life. Also, I would tell myself to put myself out there and be willing to meet new people who are different from myself. After enrolling and attending classes at IUPUI, I have made many new friends who have helped me out and taught me a lot.

I would say to get a lot of information on a specific college that their child is interested in. Make college visits and talk to the students who live or attend the campus.

My advice would be, finding the right college is very important and it?s something that will affect you child forever. Make sure you actually visit as many Universities as you can, so you can personally see where your child will spend the next few years of his/her life. It?s also very important to talk to the councilors and advisors at each University to make sure everything is to your liking. What your child will major in is also key towards which college he/she must choose, so make sure to ask about their programs. If your child is undecided on what he/she will major in, then make sure to check out what each college offers and make sure it?s the right major for your child. The most important factor in deciding the right University/College for your child is to make sure your child loves the college that he/she will be attending.

To all prospective students who are searching for the right college and striving to create a great college experience, I have two words for you: Explore everything! I don?t just mean the prominent differences between colleges; rather I think that it is important to look as deeply as you can. As you continue this in-depth exploration, you will find what truly piques your interest and you will discover the small things that will really make a difference in your college experience. Looking back, I wish that I had explored things such as whether my college had a marching band or a gymnastics team; because although I have had a great college experience thus far, I would love to have enriched it with opportunities like those. The more you discover about a university before committing, the more satisfied you will be with your total college experience. I truly believe that your college years can be the best years of your life, so why not spend just a little extra time making the most of it?

The advice I would give the parents and the student is to first of all is to already have an idea of what the student is interest in and loves to do, because if the student already has an idea of what he wants to do he can start by going to his counselor to inform himself of what colleges offers the areas of study he is interested in. Then the next thing to do would be is to visit the campus of the schools the student is interested in so he can get all the information he needs, from class size to financial aid, and if possible also talk to some students who have the same interests. Also I would recommend to apply to more then one school to better the chances to get accepted. And for the making the most of the college experience would be to join an organization or fraternity/sorority, because that?s a great opportunity to meet new people and start new friendships and interact with people who share the same interests.

To the students who are beginning to search for the school in which they want to focus on their selected major., I strongly advise the students to research into their major and apply to the schools that offer the affiliated courses in accordance to their education. The students should not be concerned about whether the school is social and involved the greek life. There will definitely opportunities to be social at any school you choose. To enjoy your college experience, I recommend students to be involved in their desired major. This is the time in which you are learning about your major and your future career. Please use your time in accordance to the amount of courses you are taking. And most importantly, education is crucial to your growth into the real world.

Make a list of all the things you want out of a campus include academics, scenerly , location and then visit the campuses you like and see how many of the things on your list they have. Talk to students that go there and see what they think. Don't give up the right school is out there you just have to find and if you can't find a perfect one make the best out of which ever one you pick.

Visit the college more than once and visit more than one college. Talk to advisors and students before hand. :)

The best advice is to not underestimate what you are getting into. On the other side of the coin, don't be scared because anybody can succeed if they try hard enough. Procrastinating is the most common problem but starting an assignment or paper right after it's assigned is the best thing to do. Time management is crucial so giving yourself enough time do the assignments thoughfully will let your professors know you are committed. Teachers are patient so be patient with them and if you don't understand something, just ask. This isn't for every teacher in the world, but I've never had a problem if I'm just honest. Showing up for class is simple and will usually, automatically get you a passing grade. Don't spend money frivolously but take plently of time to relax. Doing a little extra research and extra credit always helps and the professors look for that in a good student. College is all about the big picture- where you want to head in life and where you want the education to take you; so do this for yourself.

My biggest piece of advice for future college students is to not obsess about the "right" college too much. Wherever you end up, there will be good things, and there will be bad things; there is no such thing as the perfect college. Make sure that the places to which you apply have the major or fields of study you're looking for, have people you might like to hang out with, and are within your budget. Find a school that feels right, and go for it! To parents, I would say something along the same lines: stop pushing so hard! I know you want what's best for your child, but college should be a wholistic experience, not something that is just about finding a high-paying job in a few years. Give your kids the freedom to make choices based not only on academics but also on area attractions, social life, extracurriculars - whatever. Not every successful person in America came from an Ivy League school, so just step back and let your son or daughter enjoy the ride.

Don't look for what is cool or in, just find something you are interested in trying and find the school that focuses on that the most.

Find the college that best fits you on all levels. Remember that college is not just social, not just academic, and that there is a huge financial commitment being made on the part of yourself and your parents. Respect and enjoy your full education.

The advice I would give to prospective students and parents is to research your choices wisely; do not choose the community college simply because it is close to your home. There are many financial opportunities available to help you venture out to the school of your dreams - you just have to venture out and find them. If you do not believe that you will be eligible for any kind of financial aid, you may be mistaking. There are countless scholarships available for as many different things that you can think of. I personally had a scholarship all throughout college that paid for all my tuition, fees, and awarded me a stipend every semester - you can too. Making the most of your college experience both socially and academically is completely up to you. You can choose to stay in your dorm room every Saturday night watching TV or go out and meet new people. However, academia should be your number one focus while in college - after all that is what you came to college for in the first place. Learning to prioritize and time manage early on will make you much more successful later in your college career.

If I regret anything about my college experience, it's that I don't live on campus. It would be an amazing experience and would help me grow more into who I am. On campus living gives you a chance to make more friends and have a little more responsability for yourself. Also, parents don't push your children to go to a college they don't want to go to. It doesn't hurt looking into it, but ultamitly it's going to effect them more than anyone so it should be thier choice. If they go to the college of thier choice it's more likely that they will enjoy the college experience and will work harder to succeed. To the students I would suggest to work hard, but also to have fun. You need a good balance of both to get good grades and not get too stressed out. You want to enjoy your college experience in the moment, and not regret it later on. Good luck!

make sure you can handle what ever distance that you put between you and your family. You may think you want as fas away as possible but then you find out different and become depressed your grades and your social life will be effected greatly.

Find a school where you know you will fit in. One that shares your religious beliefs and your feelings. This will make dating and finding friends much easier. Second, the education is also important, so look for reputation of the school. The esteem or reputation of the school is very important as it will make landing that high paying job much easier.

I would tell the students and parents to make sure and take the time to visit a multitude of campuses before making a decision. There are so many options available, and it is better to pick from plenty than from few. Also, I would tell them to keep the cost of the schooling in mind and to plan out a budget that they can and will stick to. Finally, I would encourage these prospective students to look for a college that provides a positive social atmosphere because interacting with peers is a very important part of the college experience.

When searching for the college that is right for you or for your child, it is most important to visit any college campuses that you are interested in and maybe a few that you think you are not. Each college campus gives off a different feel and when you find one that you feel comfortable with then that is the one for you! It is more important to find a campus that fits you, as well as your personality and your major rather than finding one that is something you can "afford." Money should not come into play when choosing the campus that is right for you. To make the most of your college experience, it is best to live on campus and participate in as many activities as possible that interest you. It is important to take advantage of conferences, volunteer activities, and active clubs that are on the college campus which you are attending. Choosing a college that is right for you is a life-altering decision; one that should come from the heart. After your first semester at the school that you truly want to attend, you will never regret choosing the college that felt right!

If I were to go to the beginning of my academic career, there are three things that I would cover before making serious decisions. One: Look into alternate financial options. Two: Consider the cost of living involved. Three: Make sure that the school supports its alumni in finding quality jobs after graduation. If I had known about the 21st century scholar program, for example, I would have been able to maintain being a student at the top choice that I was accepted at. I didn't factor in the cost of commuting, food, supplies, etc. When all was said and done (2 years of education at SAIC) I was 10,000 dollars in credit card debt. This isn't including my loans. I wish I knew both how to attend a school of such high tuition and how to avoid credit debt. Lastly, I ended up finishing my degree in Indianapolis. The school of my (out of necessity) choice didn't support finding realistic jobs. I now am stuck in the middle where the Chicago school cannot provide me help since I don't live there anymore and the Indiapolis school has no real options.

visit the colleges before you decide where to go, and ask students about their experiences. don't be afraid to try out the college life for a day or a weekend and to soak up all the information you can get

I would tell others that it is very important to choose a school with people, professors, and a campus that fits the prospective students idea of what he/she is looking for in life. Look deeply into the program that you want to go in to, and make sure that not only does it fit the criteria that the work world sets forth, but also your own. I would also say that it is very important to get multiple opinions from persons that already attend the schools that you are looking at. Another important factor is advising. From personal experience I know how frustrating it can be to receive bad advising which can cause numerous problems including more time in school than originally planned. Another factor to consider would be the statistics of that particulr school's graduation rates, as well as out of that number how many students did or did not graduate in 4 years. Most of all I would reccomend a visit to each prospective school during a normal (non-orientation) day. This will allow you to see what campus 'really' looks like.

Whatever your first choice, stick it out for at least a year- even if you don't like it at first.

Make sure the college you find will not only fit the needs of your child, but also a place they can have fun and live independenly as they live out their lives working for their future.

Do not apply here they do not value you as a student.

Make sure you do yourself a favor and do research. The internet is the biggest help!! You can to any school website and get all the information you need. And when you find that college, stay focused and be active in your classes. The main goal comes sooner than you think.

I would like to tell the future college students that they should choose the college that fits their interests. Factors like if you like a large environment, variety of classes, on-campus house, diversity, more activities and other choices can help decide which college is right for you. Parents can decide by determining how they want their children to learn, whether is a big, social environment or a small, conservative limited community, or whatever they prefer. The students can make the most of their experience by participating very actively in classes, clubs, and sororites/fraternities, etc. Also, they can help out with campus activities and this way can make a lot of new friends, who can be their supports through their college career and even after.

Finding the right college can be tough. There are so many colleges out there! But after having gone through the process myself (twice), I realized there are a few criteria to be aware of while looking. One of the most important qualities to look for is good academics. If the school doesn't have good teachers, degree programs, and hands-on, enriching programs, it's not worth spending your money there. For that matter, as I have experienced myself, know your major before you make a decision about a school. That way, you have already looked at the school's program for that major. Some universities have wonderful science programs but horrible education programs, for example. Also many schools offer hefty scholarships often, pertaining to your major, when entering as a freshman. If you switch majors or transfer later on, you lose those scholarships, and chances are that your new program or school will not provide that kind of money. And of course, schools differ in their price and how they handle money. Look at your financial situation before choosing your school. Doing all of this will hopefully help you have a more pleasant time in college. Good luck!

Find a place that has an admirable area that pertains to the field you want to study.

Make sure that you or your child has an idea of what they want to do, as changing majors is very costly and can be a big hinderance.

Look hard, and make sure you know what you are getting.

Do what you want to do! Don't think about what will make you the most money in the future, go after what you are most passionate about and your school years will be so much more fun and will be alot less stressful.

My advice to parents and students would be to first of all narrow your choices down to 3-4 colleges and take at least 1 trip to visit and look around. When you have narrowed it down to 1-2, take a second trip and really look around as well as talk to admissions and academic advisors for your certain area. When deciding, not only look at the college for your carrer choice, but also look at it for your comfort, you will be there for at least 4 years, you want to enjoy those years. Look at their activites and what would interest you. Last, while in college enjoy your time, but remember why you are there. If you major in only socializing, your academics and career will be in jepordy. Find a balance between school, work and social activities.

Do not rush into what seems to be the easiest or most attractive college at first; often you will find that many of the best choices are less flashy than others and contain more subtle, but far more beneficial characteristics than the common first picks.

My advice to a parent of future college student would be to figure out what you want from a college and what you hope to gain from college. After you do that research and visit colleges in order to determine if they even meet your criteria in what you want from a college. Then if they offer what you want look at post-graduation employment record, housing facilities, and how they plan on personally helping the student to exceed. Each one of these is important in determining where you should attend school. Remember that sometimes your first choice isn't always your best choice and that it is okay to change your mind trust me I say that with lots of experience and now I am completely happy with my choice. Good luck.

Most importantly, understand the financing of school and understand your loans, grants, and financial aid! Second, be patient and take your time. You learn an incredible amount about yourself and who you are while you attend college. Make sure you enjoy the experience, you're there to learn how to be smarter than everyone else! When you go to college, you are part of the elite. Make sure you don't waste your time, money, and education! Make sure that you make friends while you're there and just have a good time. Don't stress out on everything, but don't put everything off. Get your work done, then have some fun.

Choose the school that suites your academic needs. Sure, it's fun to go to the big school that has all the athletics and sororities/fraternities, but school is only four years and if you don't get a quality education and don't stay focused at school and instead let other factors hinder your performance, then you will have wasted so much time and money. Get involved in other campus activities to meet new friends yet, always keep your academics as your number one priority. :)

When choosing a school, make sure that you visit the campus and talk with advisors and professors. It is even a great idea to talk to students of different ages to see if they are getting the proper education and experience out of the school that they chose. If your thoughts and wants are similar to theirs, it will be likely that you will be satisfies with your choice. Do not base your decisions of those of your friends, because you may not end up wanting the same things out of life. Every school has something to offer, but there is always a right choice for everyone. Don't be afraid to expand your horizons and research!

I would recommend parents to not make their children work over 15-20 hrs a week, unless it is financially impossible for the student to live at home and the parents supporting him/her. I would also recommend that the parents encourage their child and make sure they are doing well in their classes. College is a big deal and is usually a life changing experience for those that apply themselves.

Plan your financial future early, and don't go to a school because of its name. Look to make sure that they have programs that you are interested in.

Research your prospective schools.