Ithaca College Top Questions

Going back to my senior year of high school I would have told myself to not let the first semester of my freshman year slide by. I would have told myself to step up my game and work as hard as possible to get a great start on my college life and academic track. I didn't so bad at all, I just know I could've have done much better if I had put more time and effort into my studies and work overall. I would have told myself not to be scared or worried about college life and being put in a whole new environment and meet people from virtually all over the globe. I would've have told myself to be more open to others and basically to not be so quick to judge others and situations so that I could start a whole new life, meet new people, and have fun college experiences.

I would tell myself that everyday is important and everyday must be filled with something that will make me abetter person and willl help me attain the goals that I ahve set for my self. Mostly, I would emphasize the need to make sure I do all my work and not to worry about making new friends because the ones I meet will be some of the best I have ever made. I would mostkly emphasize that its jsut another part of life and there is no need to worry or dread and I will do just fine.

I would reccomend that I get a job earlier. I find the real world approaching pretty fast now and I wish I had started preparing earlier. College is very transformational so I would also take some constructive criticism from my past self and see if the ways I've changed are positive. I wish I had come back home more often. It keeps my head straight and reminds me where I come from and that there are people who will do anything for me. Practice my cello more, and start work on pace my time better when working on long projects. These are all things I've learned now, but I wish I'd had an extra two years to excercise them. Overall, just remember who you are and think every day about where you are, where you'll go, and who you'll become.

When the time comes to graduate from high school, pick the college and the major you want to choose. Don't hesitate to go to college unless you want to take the semester off to refresh yourself from working hard in school. Pick from as many colleges that have the best program involved and apply to more than three. That way, if your first-choice college doesn't accept your application, you can go on to the second best choice, and so on and so forth. Prepare for college by applying to as many scholarships as possible. If your financial aid is inadequate, don't be afraid to apply for a community college. Community colleges are a great way to ease the transition from commuting to a public school to a private one. When you go off to college in your first year, be sure to apply for a single room in your dormitory if possible. If your college is close enough to commute, you need not worry about living in a dorm. Whatever you do, go to the right college. The experience you gain from learning will be all the more worthwhile.

Don't hold back; it is not failure that you should fear, but rather succeeding at that which does not matter. If I had the chance to offer these words to myself as a high school senior, I would have saved time that was spent worrying about making mistakes rather than taking chances. I thought of college as an excuse to put my life "on hold" until I had learned everything that was offered to me over 4 year and that I wouldn't be held responsible for making a contribution with my skills. I was very wrong. I've learned that life is short and there's a world outside the walls of college dorms and campus roads that needs me to step up and live the life I've been called to live, daily applying what I'm learning. I have certainly had my share of failures, but without them, I would not know the joy of watching students succeed because someone finally took the opportunity to teach them rather than "leaving them for someone else." The only way one person can change the world is from the inside-out and that change has to start today.

If I could give my high school self one piece of advice, it would be to balance her schedule wisely. As a high school student, I was very nervous about the college workload. I worried that I would have no time in college to do anything but homework all the time because there would be so much of it! I now know that learning to balance one's activities comes naturally as a person goes through college. Some days there will be a lot of work and you will need to spend your time studying. Yet that does not happen every day, and if you plan everything correctly you can fit in time for hanging out with friends, attending club activities, and getting schoolwork completed. To help my high school senior self learn to balance her activities, I would advise her to keep track of everything on her calendar and in her agenda book. I would also tell her to not overextend herself with too many activities; with too much going on, stress can build quickly. Knowing what I know now about planning my schedule would help my high school self to be much less stressed about college life.

"Kristin, you're insane. Monday. Genetics exam and chorus rehearsal. Tuesday. 5am crew practice. Wednesday. Pre-Med meeting and a paper due. Should I even continue reading?" I slammed my planner shut on the desk and scrutinized the face of my high school self. "Maybe I am insane but these are the best words of advice I can give you. College seems very intimidating as a first-semester freshman but you need to remember that every other freshman feels the same way. Get involved in activities that interest you and reach out to other students. Sometimes being busy can be a little stressful but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have met so many different people and I have friends that will last a lifetime. It sounds cliche, but I was terrified walking around Ithaca College those first few days, afraid that I wouldn't fit in. However, I made those initial connections by joining the crew team, the chorus, and a few other clubs and those connections make every other aspect of college life so much more interesting. I always have someone to help me out in class, to eat with, or to destress with.

It?s not how they tell you it is. College isn?t for everyone, you?re not forced to choose a major right away, and the food isn?t necessarily horrendous. The truth is that your college experience will be unique, bizarre, and thrilling. Everyone you see is going to remind you of someone from home and it might freak you out for a while. You?re going to meet the kinds of people you believed to exist only in movies. Don?t expect any A pluses, because they?re just a myth. I know how you feel about leaving high school. I know you don?t want to move on. Although you won?t believe me right now, by the time you graduate you?ll be ready for this change. Stop worrying about how prestigious your chosen colleges are; wherever you go, you?ll find people like yourself. Don?t be overly concerned with SAT scores and AP classes; college is more than just academics. What?s most important is that you?re going to make the right choice. Oh, and leaving all of those application essays until the end of December probably isn?t a fantastic idea.

To get the most out of college, you, as a high school senior, need to be open-minded. The first year of college is not always the most exciting, but many students will rejoice in the new freedom so much that they end up failing. College presents you with the opportunity to finally make decisions for yourself without your parents trying to give their opinions. You will become independent, but you also need to realize that you don't want to shut out your family because there will be times in college when you will need their help. You may be a young adult, but you are no expert of the world and you are only beginning to obtain experience. Do not let things discourage you and use your common sense. You will need to begin growing up into a mature adult capable of working with others and making your own choices. Bearing that in mind, never lose your creativity. College is wonderful outlet to put yourself out there. Go to a local poetry reading and bring one of your own poems to share; play a song in the park; paint your thoughts, feelings, and words for all to see.

RELAX! The decision ahead is a great one, a substantial one, a life changing one --but there IS time. There is no need to read every piece of literature thrown at you about college applications nor is there need to cry every time a college information letter comes in the mail. This is one of the most exciting and most intense times of your life, and it will end soon enough. Go with your gut--it's right. If a school gives you a good feeling or makes you feel at home even in the slightest bit, it's the place for you. Cling onto the small things as well as the big things and remember college is about more than academics. You have to live in this place for the next four years, make sure it's compatible with what you want. Most importantly, don't lie to yourself. If you know you want a huge state school where you can always party and cheer on your team--go there! Or else you'll be watching your D3 team loose and being jealous of your friends who are now happier than ever. This is about you- go for it!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would discuss being orderly. When you are in high school you are dependent upon many people: your parents, friends, teachers, and other family members. While I was living at home and attending high school my mother cooked for me, did my laundry, and was ontop of me when it came to school work. Going to college was a real shock to me because for once I had to be responsible and take care of myself. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to prepare to grow up, to be more organized, and to take life one day at a time. College is a time for growth and it can be a bit scary but if you prepare yourself it is a wonderful experience.

If I were to go back in time these are the words of wisdome that I would give. I would reveal that my luck will not work forever. I have spent so much of my life and my education riding on my luck. I have now realized that even though my circumstances were not ideal I really was a lucky person and got away with a lot more than I should have. I would tell myself that this does not work in college. I also would say that it is very important that I stay as organized as I am now even though I have no one to be organized for, organization is very important in college and this skill is something that I should not lose at anytime in my future.

I would advise myself to not be as worried as I was. I was terrified of the idea that my transition into college life would be accompanied by difficulties making friendships. I was taken by complete surprise when I quickly made numerous friends. All the energy I had wasted prior to entering college over whether or not I would be without friends was unnecessary.

I would tell myself to relax, college life is not as dramatically life-changing as people make it out to be. Don't worry, you will make friends. If you work as hard as you did in high school your grades in college will be fine. Make sure you really work at your classes the second semester of high school, that .1 difference in your GPA and someone else's GPA is the difference between getting a scholarship or not. Make sure you really pay attention to all of those scholarship essays you write, they could really help you. Colleen, just remember if times are tough just push through, they're bound to get better. Don't let the swine flu or a broken foot first semester stop you from doing your best. Remember you can do it! Trust me I know you better than anyone else.

Cassie, it's your senior year and it's extremely important. I don't want to to tell you not to stress about applications, current school work, college tours, etc...because you should stress about it a little, since these are all really crucial. Don't listen to other students when they say, "you don't need to do work, it's senior year, relax." This isn't true. Colleges can revoke your acceptance based on all of your grades, so please don't slack off. There is a major difference between college and high school. The work is harder, you'll meet more people, and you have a lot of time but work consumes a lot of it. Making friends in college is easy, if you get sick of one group of friends, there are always so many more people that you can meet, it's really great. Apply to school where you think you'll be happy, I'm sure you'll succeed anywhere you go because you're intelligent, friendly, realistic and determined; these traits will get you prepared for the real world in college. Enjoy the rest of senior year because it goes by fast!

Assuming I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are many things I would advise myself about college life and making the transition. I would tell myself that I should not let the change in amount of freedom affect my school work because although it wil be very fun to hang out with friends and meet new people, getting your work done first would be better in the long run. The college will offer a lot of freedom and the people there will be very friendly, and hanging out with friends will be very fun, but aslong as you finish your school work first you can always hang out later. I would also advise myself to study what i find hard to understand so that i could do well or better in my classes. This is also assuming that returning back in time and advising myself to do better does not alter time and space in such a drastic way that life as we know it will be a whole new society once i return to my proper time.

I would study harder and focus on my grades, knowing now how important a college education is. It's not as hard as a teen makes it. I would really want someone to tell me how much easier it is to go to school early ( directly out of high school ), than waiting. When you are only worrying about yourself and not a spouse or little ones, its different. I would want someone to tell me it is a big deal to get a college education EARLY. Get it done before you are middle aged and in a bad economy.

First and foremost, if I had the ability to talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself how important it is to be an active participant not only in class, but in the school as a whole. The number of new experiences obtained by just being envolved is amazing, and is not limited to just classroom learning. I would tell myself how many life lessons I will learn about in the next several years, and how many things I will learn just by knowing different people from different areas and cultures. I would tell myself that I was headed for more than just advancement in my education, but for experiences that I will hold onto for the rest of my life. I would tell myself that it is scary at first, but that I have the strength to adjust, and that adjusting is an expereience in itself. I would tell myself that I will learn about the world in a way I had never dreamed of before, and how the world is connected in a way that I was never aware of before. I would tell myself to prepare for an amazing experience!

I would tell myself that college will not change you or anything else unless you want to change. What it does is bring out the real you, because being thrown into a completely new environment with no friends, family, or familiar places around makes you rely on your inner self. If you trust yourself you will gravitate towards the people you will get along best with. And in college there is no such thing as being "cool," and anyone who thinks there is needs to get their head out of high school, so let yourself be comfortable in your own skin for once. These are your years of freedom and soul-searching, take advantage of every chance you get and learn from the people that you meet. And finally.. I would tell myself not to break up with my highschool boyfriend just because of the distance that college will put between us. When you get to college you will learn all about the value of people who really love you, and you will find that you already had that, and you could have saved yourself a lot of dissapointment and searching around if you had only seen that before.

Dear Ashley: Throughout high school you have always been called ?the good girl?. You were voted ?most likely to succeed? in your senior class, you were student body president, a National Honor Society officer, and a state student council executive board member. You have challenged yourself with difficult classes. You have accomplishments to be proud of and worked hard to achieve. But don't forget that in life it is not the things you did that matter, or the positions you had. Don't allow the expectations you have because of your past impact your future.. Always remember that the key to happiness is not in the eyes of others or the worth they provide you with a title. Don't hesitate to be yourself and find what truly makes you happy. In life you need to MOTIVATE. In life you must INSPIRE. Make an impact on peoples lives.You must make a change.. AND YOU HAVE THE POWER AND WILL TO DO IT. Always DREAM. Never give up. Life can get tough, but the joy from overcoming the struggles is what makes it beautiful. Love, forever and always, Ashley from the future- one who has changed for the better

Make sure you choose a school you think you can eventually feel comfortable at. Although the adjustment will be difficult, once that part is over you start maturing almost instantly and the environment you're in influences that greatly. Not only is the campus important, but so is everything surrounding it. Make sure you choose a school where you can have tons of new experiences and meet diverse people. The urge to be far from home dissipates when you're actually at college because it can be a world of it's own. Lastly, be careful when it comes to money. Although you think you can just take out loans and pay them back later, they add up quickly and you don't want to constantly be worrying about your future and whether or not you'll be able to afford food when you graduate. The most important rule: make sure you're happy.

Save more money than you are currently saving because you will need it in the future. Get a second job. Do not play college sports. Apply to colleges outside of New York state. Think about places where you would like to travel or study abroad. Help your friends find schools they could attend. Do not worry about living arrangements in college, you will be prepared for almost anything. College can be stressful but you will get through it. Read more books and socialize with more diverse people. Learn from the experiences of your parents and grandparents.

If I could return to spring 2007 and talk to myself about college, I would tell myself that it is nearly impossible to fail out unless you make the conscious decision not to put any effort into the assigned course work. Professors, when they're asked for help, have more time and resources with which to help students grow and expand their knowledge and perspectives than a typical high school teacher. An excellent professor's dedication to his/her students, as well as their assistance and insight, are a few of the most valuable resources on campus. I'd also tell myself that it is important to expand my academic sights past my major. I'd tell myself to study the things that have always interested me: there are entire classes on aspects of health and history that are merely touched upon in the high school setting. It is a grave mistake to pursue a degree based on how valuable the workforce will consider it. College is not just about leaving with a degree that will lead to a successful career: it is also about discovering who you are and what you truly feel passionate about.

There isn't a single day that you won't be faced with something different; something challenging. College is not something that you just half-heartedly go through. Every day you must be on your toes, giving everything you've got, accepting that there are so many different ways to cook a pie. Be open minded. Most importantly, don't be afraid of change; just let it flow as it comes. Welcome knowledge, enjoy learning, and know that every day brings something new.

The transition from college to high school is a big one, as to be expected. If I were to ease my own nerves a little, I would simply say that it's ok to be nervous; everyone is. I would definintely encourage myself to be more outgoing. I have found some very close friends at school, but I still would like to know more people. College is such an interesting experience, as you are living with people from all over the country and all different experiences. I would tell myself to really get to know those people and learn how other people live. In addition, meeting people is so awkward, since everyone is used to their best friends already knowing everything about them. If I had a penny for everytime I answered what my major was and where my hometown is, I would be a millionaire, but it's okay! It's how you get to know people, every conversation has to start somewhere! I would also tell myself to bring about half of the things I did, since I legitimately never used most of them and just brought them back home over winter break.

As a high school senior, I knew what i wanted in a college... and i chose one that I thought suited me perfectly. However, the transition to a college lifestyle took me by surprise, as it does to most college freshmen. I would give my high school self three words of advise. The first would be to not be afraid to ask for help. The professors are always there for help and just to talk. During my high school years, I never needed to see the teacher. But it's okay to not understand things fully and to seek out help from the professor. Secondly, I'd let myself know that searching for a social life is not the most important thing.. academics is. The social life will fall into place with time as you get to know people better. Ask any college student, they all made their close friends really during their sophmore or even junior year. And lastly, I would advise myself to get involved in clubs and programs right away. That's where you meet people with the same interests, and those that will most likely get a long with the most.

I would tell myself not to worry because I would find which college would be a perfect fit and that I would be accepted to a top choice if I worked hard. I would tell myself not to worry about finances because there is financial aid and that I should apply where I think I would like to go, and not where I think I should apply because of the school's cost and/or proximity to home.

Good advice for my past self: 1. Don't freak out. You will go to a college and do well your first semester. Yeah, you are becoming more responsible, but don't worry about knowing exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life. Many still don't. 2. Learn to eat healthy now so that you will not gain the "freshman 40" in college. 3. While texting wasn't necessary in high school it will be. You will be in college to learn and you don't want to impede on your peers' learning processes so you may want to invest in text-messaging as a more discreet means to communicate. 4. Get a job so you'll have money for textbooks and healthy snacks your freshman year! It's an awful thing to be broke. 5. All is not lost. You will still probably keep in contact with one high school friend. 6. Making friends in college will be easy, but keep in mind that your day-time friends may be different than your night-time friends. Make wise choices. 7. Look forward to not having to wake up earlier than 7 a.m.

I would ultimately tell myself to take every opportunity that comes my way in college. It was a difficult adjustment for me freshman year, but as soon as I began taking advantage of the opportunities that Ithaca College gave me, I really opened myself up to learning and to making friends. By keeping an open-mind and having a willingness to take risks, I turned my college experience around ten-fold. I now play college softball and I'm a part of my college newspaper, and both have had significant impacts on my life. I would tell myself to be more open my freshman year, because looking back on everything I've now realized that I can't get that year back. As I approach graduation, I'm holding on to everything that I can, and it would have been nice to use that freshman year to my advantage and not as a detriment to myself. For all college students, I would advise them to take risks and accept every opportunity that comes their way. It's definitely true when they say that college is by far the best four years of your life.

I would tell myself to calm down. When I was a High School senior, I was stressing out over everything so that I could be accepted to and attend college. I now realize that being that stressed out was not good for myself and did not get me anywhere. I should have been confident in myself and relaxed instead of taking extra classes senior year or pulling all nighters to get that A. After my first semester in college I have realized that GPA and class standing does not determine how good of a person you are or your intelligence, instead that comes from what you learn and take from the classroom. If I had known this sooner my senior year would have been much less stressful.

Don't be so afraid to put yourself out there. No one is judging you, so just do what you think will make you happy. Also, don't sweat the little things, they just get in the way of what you want :)

Make sure you go into the whole adventure with an open mind. You're going into an entirely new surrounding and you need to be as open and kind to others as you can. You never know where you could meet the group of friends that you'll have throughout the next four years at school - I met mine at oreintation just by passing them on the stairs. Also you want to make sure you feel like a part of the community at school and in the surrounding town or city. By participating in extra-curricular activities you can meet so many new and exciting people, many of whom you'll likely interact with for the rest of your college career and after graduation if you chose activities related to your major (It's a great networking plan! Many of the friends I made while working on my TV show on campus now work at NBC and CNN) And lastly make sure you plan appropriately for financial situations, this is the only hardship in my college career. But if you take all things in stride and keep an open mind college is sure to be the time of your life.

Be ready for change- lots of it, and especially in yourself. Be open-minded to knew ideas and listen, don't just try to block it all with your own ideas. Come ready to learn, not just from textbooks, but from everyone around you. Remember that these people aren't from your hometown and haven't known you for years, so think before you speak. Is what you are saying going to be offensive? Could you be loosing a potential friend just because you're about to start a rant about something you're not that knowledgeable about? As for transitioning, college isn't high school. Classes are larger, chances are you won't see your classmates outside of class much without some effort. Don't be lazy and hang out in your room with just your roomate. Go to events. Hang out in common rooms. Reach out. Just a casual smile in a hallway might mean a friendship blooming in the future. But don't be upset if your attempts for friendship fail; some people will like you and some won't. Move on. Let it go. Just have fun!

Surely at this point in high school, you have realized that there is more to life than homecoming dances, pep-rallies, and Friday night games. It's time to get to college, and start preparing for you career in life. College is more than a continuation of high school, but more or less, a way to train for the life you will soon come to live. College is the first time you will encounter problems, without having your family or friends immediately there to help. You are thrown into a school where you must adapt to get through it. You will meet some of the best people, and you will meet some people that you don't particularly get along with. But all of these situations you will face, when dealt with correctly, will only help you grow. You will take away much more than an education from college, but real life experiences that you will learn to cope with on your own; which to me, is one of the most important things you can learn.

Keep an open mind and put yourself out there. Try new things.

I would tell myself to be more confident. To go out there and not worry about the world, but worry about you.

Mostly I would just tell myself not to be so worried about college! While it can be a stressful experience going to school by yourself, there are so many other people in the same boat as you and making friends is made easy be event that the college hosts for first year students! The main thing is to make sure you don't stay cooped up in your room all day, join lots of clubs, trade phone numbers with the people in your classes, and don't be afraid to introduce yourself to someone sitting next to you in class. College is supposed to be fun, use this time to make life long relationships!

I would tell myself to pick a cheaper school. While my college was a reasonable price at first, the tuition raised and my financial aid went down. Now I find myself stuck between having to leave or chosing to stay and really pay for it later.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would give myself the following advice: You create your own reality. I wish I had known a long time ago that your environment doesn't matter so much as your outlook on it. Transitioning to college can be a difficult time full of anxieties and insecurities, that is, if you choose to see it that way. Once I realized that perception was a choice I was able to replace those anxieties and insecurities with an outlook of personal growth and mental expansion. Last year, during times of frustration I had the option of switching my perspective to be personally productive, and once I realized this was a possibility I became infinitely happier with my situation at school. Acknowledging that my reality is uniquely my own has also helped me relate to my peers at college. It's easier for me to accept the views of others now that I understand their perception of the world is entirely separate from mine. Transitioning to college would have been much easier had I known this piece of wisdom.

The most advice that I would give to myself is to be prepared to work my butt off. I don't think that I was fully aware of how difficult my major would be, and now that I'm in it, I find myself constantly being stressed out. At the same time, I wish that I had trusted the faculty my freshman year, instead of allowing myself to be intimidated. They really are here to mold us into the best professionals we can be, and I adore every single one of them. I would have reminded myself that just because I am not automatically skilled at something, I shouldn't let that get to me. Even if it takes me longer than some of my fellows, I always get it in the end. I would tell myself to expect a change in friends from the beginning of the year. The people I hung out with in the beginning of freshman year were not necessarily the people I needed to help me succeed. My closest friends now are the ones who love and support me through the hard times. To boil it all down, just be open to everything.

Finding the college that exemplifies your personality and serves all of your highest priority needs is essential to finding the right college. Sometimes finding a school that makes you most comfortable is the best option, since college is such a large adjustment for those coming out of high school. For others, choosing a top priority such as the dorm situation, majors available, or geographic location works best. Even though you may believe that a top school will be the best option, you must consider your personality, study habits, and where you would feel most relaxed and motivated to do your best work. I highly recommend bringing some high school homework and working on it in various locations of a campus, if you have time. Your comfort level and ability to concentrate well in the library, dorm lounges, or specific buildings may have a huge impact on the quality of your work and experience at your desired school. You might even be surprised; sometimes your top school is not your 'best' fit. It is not the name of the school that matters, but the work and effort you put into your own education.

Going to college is the first step in becoming an independant adult. Moving across the country may be the right choice for some students but staying in the next town over is better for others. Seriously consider how far away your college should be. Your time in college is a time that will shape the rest of your life to come. If you find a place that you know you will grow the most in even if it is above your budget, go for it. Finacial aide offices are more than willing to work things out and student loans have the lowest interest rate of any loan you'll ever take out. You can fall in love with a school but if it doesn't offer you what you need to succeed, you are wasting your money. Keep in mind the accessability of professors, the frequency of guest lecturers, and even the amount of student clubs as the people you meet mean everything. However, a school can have all the right ingredients and still not be the right choice. You MUST visit the campus. If it doesn't feel right, it isn't.

When you know or have an idea of your future carreer, find a program that pushes you. Sit down and figure out what you are seeking from a college expierence. There are many colleges out there. Look for the one that will suit you best. You want to be in an evironment that will allow you to feel comfortable, open, and free. Don't feel obligated to stay close to home. Sometimes you need to take that step and see what you can achieve. College is about learning about youself. Find a place that will let you be the best you can be. Look for a program that teaches you more than what the book says. Discover what kind of friends you will make, and how their actions will affect you. Finally, know that your family is behind you. They want to see you succeed. They are there to help you. Be respectful of their choices. College is really the begining of the rest of your life. Who will you be?

Look into a variety of school and be open to suggestions. Ithaca was not my first choice but once I looked at it I knew it was the right place for me. Also don't judge a school by it's name.

When picking colleges, deciding on where to enroll can NOT be based on brochures and word-of-mouth. It is important to physically be on campus and see the buildings you will be in every day, how people around the campus are interacting with each other, and what there is to do off-campus. That way, you can see first-hand if you will fit in and enjoy your 2-4 years there. I went on 2 tours of my college before I even chose to apply there, and those were helpful. However, the best advice I could give is to stay overnight in one of the dorms with a host student. I saw what life was like on a normal day at the college and got information and tips from an actual student, instead of getting facts and statistics I didn't need to know from the campus tour guides.

Have your child decide what size school they feel is a good fit for them after that, if they have a specific subject they want to major in narrow down your choices from there. When your child gets to college tell them to put themselves out there and to try new things. Join clubs or go on an adventure.

To the parents, I would tell them not to influence their child's ultimate decision at all. If they ask for your opinion on which school you think is best for them, never give them a straight answer. It is important to guide them without deciding for them. This is first of many decisions that a student needs to make on their own, regardless of whether they end up choosing a school that is perfect or horrible for them. Hopefully they choose a school that is right for them, but if they don?t, they will then be able to take full responsibility for why they are dissatisfied with their choice. This will provide them with encouragement and motivation to find a new school that they will enjoy. On the other hand, if they love the school they chose, they will have a sense of pride and reassurement that they are able to make important decisions which will provide them with a higher self-confidence that is extremely helpful in the classroom and in the work world. To the students, I would tell them to follow their heart and instincts. These will carry them farther than they can imagine.

Spend time at the school intimately, not just on the tour. Its better to find a place that you love with people you like. Make sure your interests are represented, however, you should make sure other peoples' views are represented as well, especially if these views oppose your own. That will help you grow to understand people and the world just like your studies.

There is no specific factoid or secret in finding the perfect college. The best advice that was given to me was to make a list of aspects that I wanted to see in a school. The next advice was to tour and visit as many schools as possible. The only way you will know the school is right for you is to get a feel for how you actually percieve yourself at the school. Visit while classes are in session, sit in on some lectures and see if you can picture yourself enjoying an education there. If it is possible, stay for an over night visit and see if social events fit your standard as well. If you are planning on living at school, it is vital that their will be activities that fit yor unique interests. Most importantly, involve your parents in the search, as frustrating as it is, this is a very important time for them as well.

Do a lot of research and go on campus tours. While on the tours ask a lot of questions.