Lawrence Technological University Top Questions

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

Mariama

Knowing now, I would have research the schools a bit more than choosing which one gave the most money. I would have also applied for more schools so I would have more options that I would be enthusiastic about. College life is mostly about being responsible with your time. If you can get the hang of that, making it through college shouldn't be that difficult for you. I would try to get more involved on campus though. Stay on campus so you don't get too lonely and disconnected from college life if you can.

Autumn

The advice I would have given myself in the past is to find more ways to challenge myself. I would have told myself to work on my writting and art more. This achievement would have helped out in my classes for college. I would have more time to learn the things should have been taught in school.

Erin

When I was a high school senior, I was having trouble understanding why life was so important. Of course, this was a part of the depression side effect from the medicine that I was on for seizure control, and to go back in time would allow me to inform my younger self that “I have a strong spirit to fight against the medication side effects.” If given the chance, I would remind myself that I am fortunate to be living in the U.S.A and I shouldn’t waste time lying around as there are more important things to do during the last year of high school. In hindsight, I should have taken a more proactive role in understanding what I was going through, health wise, and asked for a change in medicine when the side effects became too much. Doing so would have allowed me to finish high school more smoothly, instead of a stressed-out semester that I went through. I could have also taken the advice to start applying to college scholarships as an early search could help me be more financially prepared to transfer to a private university this fall.

Darius

Procrastination is your worst enemy in college. I am a huge procrastinator and I would have made sure that my high school senior year, I worked on and emphasized studying daily and not waiting last minute to do research papers and projects. Now that I am in college, I realize that it is harder to manage my schedule and school work because I used to always procrastinate. I find that a mentality change towards not putting things off is all I need in order to become succesful in college in the most stress free manner.

Amanda

The advice that I would give to myself is after graduating from high school, is staying focus on what I wanted to do with my life. Taking the Myer-Briggs test would have helped me focus on what I wanted as a career, and then choosing a University that would have the program that I wanted. Going to Lawrence Technological University wasn't a bad choice in attending school, because I learned alot and at the time, and it served its purpose. Going on more college tours would have been an adventure that I should have explored more, even though the two University's that I wanted to attend to Colorado University and Lawrence Technological University were my main choices, attending a college tour would have prepared me more for future studies. Knowing how to network with other students and professors would have been a good choice; seeking out a mentor that would help guide me throughout my education plan would have been crucial. I would say to myself then to steady the course, and hold on.

NaKeisha

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior the advice I would give myself is to apply to colleges because if you don't go on to school now its going to be hard when you start trying to go back. It would be better for you to go to school now beacause when you look back you will say man I could already have my degree. Also Transitioning now won't be so bad because you might end up still going to school with a few of your high school friends and so when you get lost you might not be wandering around alone but if you wait you wont know anyone. Also if you go now you wont forget a lot of important information that you will need when you finally go back. So just do it now because if you don't I can promise you that you will wish you would have.

alicia

If I could talk to any teenage transitioning to college life I would tell them to relax, take a few deep breaths and realize they need the self confidence in order to succeed. Develop a game plan and know yourself well enough to make decisions about what time of day to take classes and when grades start slipping where to go for tutoring. Also start school with a budget, because being handed a big financial check on your first day often means eating off the Dollar Menu towards the end of the semester. Hard work pays off in the long run, but giving yourself an occassional break will bring you sanity!

Stacia

College life is a huge transition as it is for most people. You are forced to be more independent. Professors don't push you to do all your work or come to class as did teachers in high school. You have to find a lot more self motivation within yourself to push yourself to do homework and attend classes. You are also living with different people in dorms which causes you to develope better social skills and maybe become more aware of how to deal with living with different kinds of people. You are also forced to figure out how to resolve more problems on your own, considering you are living away from home. The transition to college is not hard though and you will adapt quickly and like the new way of life a lot more exciting than high school life.

Erisa

I have learned that the real world experience is much important than the college degree you get . Also you have to have a big focus on what you want do in the future or what your future career would be , to make sense of what you really want to get and learn from college. But, college experience also makes you grow up and realize that there is no other time like college life and thats only then when its OK if you fail as long as you got courage to lear how to get back up on track. Life after college will not be as generous.

Jessica

I have gotten a valuable education that I do not think I would have found at another school. I also have figured out what type of person I want to be and how I want to live the rest of my life. Lawrence Tech focuses on making leaders of every student. I feel more confident and ready to perform the job I have been educated to do. I also feel comofortable asking the university for help after graduation. They have a wonderful career services department which helps students find jobs after graduation. Even though we are in a recession, I believe that I will be able to stand apart from other applicants with my education from Lawrence Technological University.

Joshua

Knowing what I know now, i would give myself advice about a few different aspects of school. First, studying, doing homework and taking tests is the most important thing; Not being able to use notes, calculators (on certain tests), etc... means that doing your homework is the only way to get full knowledge of the material (and pass classes). Second, being social is more than just having fun, it can be a great way to network and provides great sources for collaboration. Lastly, make all the money you can before going to college, because everything (textbooks, supplies, food....etc.), though not necessarily expensive, adds up extremely fast.

Ann

I would tell myself to not make decisions that affect the the present, but to look at what the future could bring. My parents always told me that if I stayed at home for college, they would help me pay for a car. It was an incentive for us to stay at home and simply keep our cost of living down. I did not look much at colleges. I chose a college near home that had the majors I was looking in to. The tuition at the school I chose is more than the cost of both tuition and room and board combined at any of the public universities that I looked at. That was not a large concern as a high school senior. I never had to worry about finances. I just knew that I wanted a car and a school that I would not have to transfer from. I had been to seven schools by the time I went to college and was determined to choose one that I could stay at for a four-year degree. I should have looked more at what the cost was per credit and was the best fit for me.

Jon

Take a few broad classes at a cheap community college to find your desired major, then find out where you want to transfer to. While you are still at a community college, get as many classes out of the way there that you can. Also, don't be afriad to talk to people in your class and get involved in some on campus activities, they really help to pass the time and make each semester fun. Finally, get in shape!

Timothy

If i were to go back in time to speak with myself as a high school senior. I would highly encourage myself to take school seriously now and after high school. The sooner I get done with college, the sooner i can make my plans to pursue my career and live my own life.

katherine

slow down. No need to make a million friends in the first day. The truth is, finding your self is not about finding other people. It's easier to just take your time and find things out slowly.

Stephen

When I left high school I was not prepared to go to a school that demanded as much from me as it did. I would have saved some money by immediately attending a junior college before transferring to a University. However, how could I have know that I was not prepared for a rigorous curiculum until I was put into that position. Regardless, the programs that are now established today for the transition from junior college to a University are much more solid than they have ever been. It's a great way to bridge the gap for students that are unsure of which direction they would like to initially take.

Eric

First off I would tell myself to get ready to work harder; the transition from high school to college really threw me off at the beginning. Then I'd tell myself to join the theater group, SODA (Society Of Dramatic Arts), here at LTU because I've made some great friends there. It's also helped me improve myself as a person and has made it easier for me to open up to social situations. I'd also tell myself who the friends are that I've met since coming to LTU so I could meet them all the sooner.

LaTasha

I would advise myself to finish my senior year at an engineering prep school so that my transition to a really demanding engineering private school would be easier. Also so that I would be on the same page as the other students who had great advantages over me like: having successful family members who are engineers, or having been to many engineering camps as a young child, or having many resources and higher incomes.

Korin

To you or your parents: You'll only succeed in a school where you're happy but truthfully, if you're willing to seek out what makes you happy that can happen almost anywhere. Also, dreams come true in baby steps so don't expect everything to fall into place at once. If the school you're interested in doesn't fit perfectly, try it out, and the adjust is to fit you. Leadership will get you extremely far in any profession. Most of all, best of luck and enjoy the ride!

Katelyn

Make a decision on what school you will learn and benefit the most from. Make friends and ask questions and work hard but still have a good time.

Ryan

In order to find the right colege for you, it doesnt matter if you know someone who is going there, or if your boyfriend or girlfriend is going there. You have to go to each college and experiance it first hand before you make that choice. Take advantage of the campus visit days and/or weekends. See what each college has to offer both academicly and socially. College is not all about studying and cracking down on your studies. You need to balance it with fun social things as well. Another important thing is the professors. When you visit a campus, ask to sit in on a class. This gives you a first hand look into how classes would be if you went there. Finally, never be afraid to ask questions. Ask as many questions as you can think of and that should help you decide if the school is right for you.

Kevin

Find a school with the social life your looking for, academically they are all the same.

Edward

I recommend starting at a local community college. They are much more affordable and it will help you decide if your chosen degree is something that you really want to pursue. In saying that, make sure that the courses that you enroll in transfer to the four year university that you are interested in.

Justin

When looking for an appropriate college for you or your student, it is very important to consider what degree that you or your student are persuing. Doing a lot of research will present to you the school with the most appropriate program in your or your students prospective field of study. Then consider cost, financial aid, distance from home, and living conditions. I recommend that freshman or new transfer students spend at least one semester in student housing. This will help to instil a student network for friends, study groups, and advice from students who have experience with the school. Also, school is going to cost more than just tuition and food plans; adjust your financial status to sustain this extra amount. Consider trips home, money for transportation to and from grocery stores and off campus forms of entertainment. Students do need a break once in a while. Also, try to involve yourself with the school through clubs, sports, or any other kind of extracurricular means. Most of all, approach college with an open mind and a positive outlook. This will help to give you the most out of your college experience.

Ryan

Ask Students

Joel

Don't count on any funds you don't already have in your accounts. Save early. If you know what you want to do go to the school that has made a name for itself in that field. go to the cheasy freshmen pre-semester events at the very least it is something to make fun of with other students as an ice breaker. Try have conversations with everyone students (not just your friends) faculty (not just your own) Studnet services staff (they can help you or tell you where to get it) and even matenence/janitorial staff just say hi everyonce in a while get to know them and you wont be the one with the broken whatever all semester and you may just learn a few campus secrets that can save you time and money. Keep an eye on your spending. Most importantly budget your time school, work, play, excercise, YOU time, homework. Jump at opportunities. Have fun it'll be the best time of your life.

Erica

Start early and even if you have found a school that "works" for you don't stop there. Always travel to the school before hand and be sure that you like the area surrounding the school as well as the school itself because it will effect the experience you have. Also don't be afraid to apply to several different schools; it is always better to have to make a choice than not to have one.

Kevin

Make sure you look at all your choices, I decided too early and got into a field that I ended up disliking. I was lucky LTU had another field that has been exactly right for me. I regret not looking at other schools and other majors more. Also if you can live on campus, do so. It will make your social life much better. Get involved, you get 4 years to make friends and learn, start as early as possible. There are many campus organizations, join as many as possible (depending on how much free time you have).

Davey

I would advise students to visit the college and really talk to the students and get an understanding of how things work on campus, what is expected from students, and see the type of work these students are doing to see if this is what they really want to do. They should visit the campus in the beginning of the semester and closer to finals. This would give any prospective student the insight they would need in making the right decision. Parents need to really talk to the financial aid counselors and get a feel for what will be expected from them so tuition payments can be made on time and so they can prepare the forms in a timely manner. Most of all, any student searching for a college needs to visit the campus and interact with the current students.

Jeremy

Choose a college that is great for your learning needs and affordable.

Derek

Don't let your worries about getting into your perfect college get you down. Though a better college may entail some educational benefits, a truly bright individual with fresh ideas (and most of us are, we just don't know it) has the potential to be successful wherever they go. It is all too easy to become a victim of stress and burnout. Pace yourself and remember that there is more to life than just going to school and having a career. Take a walk outside. Smell the roses. For God's sake, read a book for fun once in a while. Above all, think. All of this education that we pay so much for and invest so much time in will have no effect whatsoever if we don't take the time to think, analyze, and question.

J.

The best way to find the right college is to do your research. First, find out what schools have the degree(s) you are interested in. Next, take time to research the schools and talk to people who may have gone there. If possible, visiting the school is best. Many schools have some sort of visit day and offer tours, take advantage of these. You can also visit a school's website, which can give you a good idea about the school. A nice, helpful, organized website is a good sign. Consider the size of the school and average class sizes. Smaller classes can make personal communication with a professor a lot easier. To make the most of your college experience, you need to get involved with activites that interest you. (Homework should come first!) Fraternities could be an option for you, but pick one that actually helps the community, instead of one that spends dues money on beer. After all, you do go to college to get a better education, so don't just pay money to go to a never-ending party. Most importantly, enjoy what you are studying!

Ben

Look for a college that fits your personality and study style. Little is accomplished parting all the time and you will burn out if you are in classes our of your league when no help is present. Dont let the size of a university fool you pay close attention to class sizes and resources. Look for a well rounded university while studing liturature may seem pointless while persuing engineering the skills you learn subconsiously are priceless. Also make sure that your get practical experiance while in school. Graduation is too late to learn work ethic and how your job works in the real world. Once at college dont become a hermit, dont bury your head in your books learn to be social. With those skills you can be a great business person. Also on the flip side dont party the whole time to get your dream job you have to graduate first.

Sara

You have to visit the campus. That is very important to see what it is like and then you can ask students that you see what they think of it. I love giving students advise on what professors they should take and other helpful information.

Erik

Go where you heart takes you. Never base your decisions on what others think. Never go based on a significant other. Don't go where they give you the most money, go where you think you will like the most. Be prepared to move out of your comfort zone (like far from home instead of close to home).

Jeremy

Believe in yourself.

Allie

Finding the right college is really just about finding where the student is comfortable, and where the student can really see themselves becoming a part of a community. Everything about the school should be taken into account, class size, campus size, dorms, food, cost, academics, social activities, facilities, the surrounding area, etc. In order to get the most out of the college experience, the student has to be able to know where to go to get resources, whether it be for homework, a job, or finding the group of friends that they will know for the rest of their lives. The best way to be sure that a college is right for a student is for him/her to visit the college, sit in a class, spend the night in the dorms/apartments, take a tour, hang out with current students, to really get a feel of what life would be like at that college.

Katrin

I think that students sometimes make mistakes when they look at college just for the social activites. I understand that some people need a social life, but even with smaller universities there are many opportunites to get involved if you really want to. Also, students should not pick a university on which ones their friends are going to because meeting new people makes the college experience. A college or university should mostly be picked by the academic courses they can provide for your major. You are going to college to learn, thats the whole idea! So pick the place that has the best program for your major and you will learn so much more. College should be fun, but it is the time to move towards your goals in life. Set the standards and push yourself to improve.

Shannon

Plan. Plan for college. Save money, take your time to pick the right university for you, talk to the professors if you are able to, visit the campus, and look into as many scholarships as possible. Personally, I love my university and my position at this school. However, college life is about studying and breaking free from your childhood. When a student has to focus on their finances and aren't able to put the effort that is needed, into their student life, then they aren't recieving the experience that they deserve. Visit the universities you are considering to attend. Take a tour; talk to advisors and professors, and even talk to some of the students that are walking around. Ask them all what they think of the campus and the university as a whole. Ask them for any advice they can give as existing students and LISTEN to what they have to say. People with first hand experience always know better than those that just study the experience rather than living it. Last, get involved. Play sports, act in plays, compete in class related competitions, join a club. Research what you enjoy and get involved. Enjoy college.

Donte'

The advice I would like to give those who are interested in college, is to do a lot of research about the college, what he/she has in mind and ask others for advice of that college. Your'll be amazed of the response people tell you about that college you thought of. Also, get involved in the financial aid process with the college, while asking several financial aid question about loans. There are lots of information out there for example: www.fastweb.com, www.collegeboard.com has some information on colleges, these are helpful sites. Basically ask around and do plenty of researching while attending those pre-view days on campus. Good luck with your choices.

Amy

Students in high school who want to have a successful career should start thinking about what it is that they want to do. Think of what is important and what you want to do. Then research and figure out what career path matches with those goals. When you know that, then you can make a good choice of what college to spend the next 4 years or so at. Talk to people. Once you get to college, make sure you keep up with what is happening in classes and around campus. Get involved. Be active. Be social. Just don't let those things get in the way of your education, which is the reason you are spending the money to go to college. You or your parents are not paying for you to sleep through boring classes. If you don't understand what is going on in your class, talk to the professer. They are there to help. Take advantage of the resources offered to you by the college. They are there for your benefit.

Nathaniel

Make sure to understand that university is not for the faint of heart, and will provide a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Danny

The advice I would recommend is to let the students decide what they would like to do with their lives. Yes parents should be involved to an extent but lets look at it this way; The parent have lived their life , now it is time for the student to make an adult decision. So to all the students out there, the main thing would be to look at the school that fits your needs. Dont look for schools that dont care about you. Look for the school that will expand your mind, body, and soul . The school that will shape you to the best of their ability and to make sure you are ready to accomplish things you probably never thought you could do. The best school I believe for any student and parent is the one who satisfies the educational , mental, social, and financial aspects of the student and parent. That is really the only advice I have to give, I have attended for three years and have not once looked back and regreted my choice. Yes I have days I wish I were not there but that happens to everyone, but I look back and enjoy the experience

Christopher

Know what you want and go get it!!!!!!!!!!

Amal

allow your child to choose what school they want

Phillip

You will get out that which you put in.

Steven

Choosing the right college is an important desicion for parents and students. The student must put their education before any other factor since it will effect the rest of their live. Make sure to choose a major that interests you. They should also choose a campus enviroment where they can enjoy themselves. Living on campus, away from parents, is also an important part of the college experience. For the student it is the first chance they have to live on their own. This prepares the student for live after college when they are truly own their own.

stephen

what do you like? large class (like 90+ students) or less then 20