Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Top Questions

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

Nicole

I would say to definitely shop around and pick the right school, do not go somewhere just because your friends are going there; everyone's needs are so different. Be open-minded about other students, teachers, different teaching methods, extra curriculars and anything else. The biggest thing to remember is to always put forth the most effort you have, you can really harm your GPA by having the wrong attitude or mind-set. Yes, you are there to get an education and focus on a career, but having fun and laughing with close friends is just as important.

Kristin

When I was deciding which college to go to, I was so focused on going far away from home I missed out on a bunch of amazing colleges. Not only are colleges in your home state cheaper due to in-state tution, but there are a lot of amazing people and may be the college for you!

jennie

Find a welcoming college that is known for their students, faculty, and offers in academic excellence. It's a very good idea to find a college where you are able to take a moment to step outside on the beautiful campus to enjoy a fresh breath of air after a long stressful session of studying.

Timothy

The advice that I would give students about finding the right college is to really look into their personality. Each college has something unique to offer to that student. People aren't made from cookie cutters, so they aren't all the same. What might be the best college to one is the worst to another. Look at every aspect and make a good decision. Don't rush it.

Rene

I would suggest starting research as early as possible, as well as setting up a college fund early to help finance college. Also, it is strongly encouraged that you keep up with your coursework and do not let partying, drinking, and socializing get in the way of studies. Find an appropriate niche of friends to hang out with. Just like in high school, there are people that provide a positive influence and there are people that provide a negative influence. The most important part of making the most of a college experience is to relax when possible and have fun in moderation.

Rachael

Find a campus that meets and appeals to your needs and desires! If family is important to you, then don't go out of state! If you want to make good grades, then don't go to a school where you will be easily distracted! If you love football, then go to a large state school! Keep in mind that most of these schools truly are good schools; otherwise, they wouldn't be open! Also, talk with as many current students and alumni as possible; do not make a decision based on one or two opinions. Remember that college is absolutely what you make of it; get involved and be open to learning and trying new things! This is the time to explore yourself! Don't cheat yourself out of anything by not trying to do it; take that ballroom dancing class! Make sure to balance your social and academic life; this is your college EXPERIENCE, it's not your friend count or GPA alone. If you smile at everyone and be yourself, you are set! Oh, and remember to take lots of pictures!

Brittney

Potential students need to visit each university they are even slightly interested in and see which one fits their lifestyle, prospective degree, and has an outstanding student body. If the students at the university are proud, then chances are, you will be proud to call it home too! After all, it will be your home for the next four years so you need to enjoy the atmosphere of not just the campus, but the city and state as well. Also, branch out your first year. Join anything that seems remotely interesting to you to meet people with the same interests as you. This will help you make new friends as opposed to only hanging out with your friends from high school. Also, living in a campus dormitory was one of my favorite experiences and everyone needs to do it. It allows you to become part of the college experience and meet more people. This is the only time in your life you will be able to live in a dorm, so try it for just one year!

Lauren

Join a school organization to have people to relate with to make the best of your college experience.

Katherine

Go to wherever you can get the most financial aid or scholarships. Leave the dream universities for grad school when you can be paid to go there. Money will be tight in college but be careful not to let social activities or jobs interfere with your school work. Catching up takes much more effort than putting forth the effort the first time. Don't just look at the campus or the number of your friends going to the college. Take the time to look over the professors in the department of your major. They are the people you should choose a college based on.

Elisabeth

The best advice that I could give to a prospective student would be to find a college that you feel comfortable in the moment you set foot on campus. I strongly believe that if you are comfortable with your surroundings, then you will suceed in school. It takes away most of the stress of adjusting to a new lifestyle and encourages you to use whatever resources are available to you, as well as making it easier for you to meet new people. You can always find something that interests you, even if you have to dig for it. Safety and course offerings are important, but it won't mean a lot compared to how you feel in the environment. Jump out and get involved with whatever you can, even if it is just a student job. You will have more interaction with students through a job at the campus bookstore than if you were to work off campus. Big lecture classes force you to interact with your fellow students, but small classes make it easier to have a good relationship with the professor. It is whatever you feel is right for yourself that you should do.

Kevin

Find a place where you will be happy to go for the next 4 years or esle it will not be very fun. Also be open to new ideas.

Rebecca

I believe that first and foremost, parents need to have a more active role in helping their children make the life changing decision of determining which college is the appropriate one for their child. I believe many students choose schools based on the wrong decisions, such as fraternity or sorority life, friends, or distance from home. Students need to step out of their comfort zones and take a chance, because I believe this choice is one which changes your life forever. Don't be afraid to go to a school where you don't know anyone; go visit as many schools as you can and talk to the students and find out what kind of things that particular place can offer YOU. When you do make the big decision, and leave home for college, make the most of it; and, I don't just mean partying! College is not all about your social life. It's important to find value in your classes and truly try to make the most of your education, because the knowledge you gain in this crucial time in your life will give you the power to succeed not just in your career, but in life!

Chad

You should pick a school not based on one attribute. College is a life changing experience and every aspect of an instituition should be considered. You should consider not only the academics, but the campus culture and city culture as well. College is not just about books, it's about discovering who you are and what you want to do with your life and as such you should think about that when you pick a school.

Elizabeth

Planning your college career and trying to decide on your future is always a daunting task. Most high school seniors and their parents believe that a definite major and carrer choice is required before applying to colleges. The truth is that although it is helpful to have an idea on which direction you would like to choose, most college students will change their major and career path within their first two years of school. When choosing a college, research the academics, social highlights, and community of institutions that you have in mind. Make sure that it's something that you both agree on, because it is where you will be growing up, taking on responsibilities , and molding yourself and your future. Alot of parents are set on their children getting into IV Leage schools, but as far as undergraduate degrees are concerned, that isn't the most important aspect of deciding your child's career. In college, you should be focused, free, and able to have a good time. Make the most of this experience, it truly will last you a lifetime.

Shelby

The advice I would give to parents and or students about finding the right college to attend is quite simple. I would tell them not to panic and just breathe. Students should take their time in finding the right college. It can be a hard decision but usually they will know which way to go and what is best for them. The process of choosing a college is more stressful than it should be. Students should inform themselves of every potential college and make sure they have all the facts down. This will help with the choosing process. Once that decision has been made, students and parents should stay positive with the process of starting post secondary education. The experience of college will be one that the student will never forget. Students should work hard, stay motivated, meet new people, and show school spirit. All of these things come with having a great college experience. College is filled with making memories as well as getting a great education. Who wouldn't want to be able to relate to that?

Douglas

I would tell parents and students to visit as many schools as possible, and agree on the one that feels right to both parties. However, I believe that parents should let their children choose which school feels right to them (if it is financially feasible), and if it doesn't work out, they can always transfer. As for students making the most out of their experience, the best advice I would give is to get as involved as possible in a group they feel comfortable around. A great college experience revolves around people and activities that make one feel a sense of pride in their school.

amanda

you may not know who you are before you go to college and that is perfectly ok. Its about choosing the college that will help you find out who you are . You want to be able to experiment and make sure you are making the right decisions that will affect the rest of your life. Its not an easy decision but you will be happy in the end! College could be some of the best years of your life if you give it the chance and put your heart and sould into it all.

Brittany

For incoming freshman, my best advice would be to make sure you go to all classes, especially lecture classes and take good notes. Don't go to class to play on your computer, but to learn. Review your notes after class and try to make a few friends in each class in case you miss a day or need to get notes. Don't do drugs, they are a waste of your time and money, which you'll need plenty of both in order to suceed. To parents, make sure you stay somewhat involved in your child's college experience, this is going to be probably one of the first times they've ever been away from home for long periods of time and they need to know that you are still their parent and care about them and their education. Remember that they are still growing and will make many mistakes, but only if you are there to help them get back on track will they be able to learn from that experience and make it out okay.

Kristen

I feel that the best things for any prospective student to do are to weigh his/her options and to not scratch a school off their list just because they think they can't afford it. When ultimately choosing the school that he/she will attend, they should have visited the school to get a feel of it's academic vs. social atmospheres and then list the pros and cons of each experience. After all, this person should plan to be at the college for at least the next two/four years of her life. It has to be somewhere that they can see themselves growing both in knowledge and as a person. If you're not happy about where you end up, then the odds are against you and things won't turn out well.

Heather

Be sure to examine all your options and find a program that has a degree that you will like. dont really worry to much about fitting in because generally you will be able to find a group of people that you get along with and like that will make college a great experience and one of the better times in your life

Jaimie

Students need to have a good idea on what they want to pursue in life before attending a college. They then need to research different schools and find which have the best programs for their career choice. Students shouldn't choose a school because of it's popularity or sports teams, it should be mainly for the access to programs they want to be involved with. Once they get to college, get involved in organizations and meet people who have the same interests as you do. This will make a college experience much more enjoyable. Parents should be supportive of their student's choice, even if it's not the choice they wanted. They need to understand it's ultimately the student's decision of what would be the best for him/her. They also need to express how proud they are of the student as much as possible because there's nothing like a little compliment for a boost to college!

Jace

Know what you can accomplish and the sky is the limit. Hard work and prioritizing values will get you far in life and academics. College is for learning, so learn what you want. Only by learning what you find interesting will you succeed and be content with your life decision. If your not sure, choose a major which will give you flexibility to make the decision later.

Taylor

Students should visit the colleges they are thinking about. They should also schedule a visit with counselors of specific departments. In the end, students should choose the college which makes them feel at home most, and where they feel they have the most potential to learn and achieve success.

Marlon

I would advise parents to find a college with an agenda that best fit their child's needs. I advise parents to keep the decision of college focused on the child and his/her needs. One of the first things both parent and/or child should pay attention to is the curriculum for their proposed major. Then they should pay attention to the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and research finacial aid. They should also pay attention to the requirements to enter their senior college, obtain more scholarships, and maintain the proper GPA to keep their awards and stay enrolled in the school. The parent should also have one on one talk with their child and ask them of their future goals and remind the child that they support their endeavors. Parents should also talk to their child about the realities of college including: sex, drugs, grades, etc. As cliche as the talk may seem it can be an effective tool in keeping their child on the right track to a better future.

Krystle

If I had to give future students advice about finding and enjoying the right college, I would tell them to choose the college that is best for THEM, not for their friends. I have seen too many people choose a university simply because it is where their best friend was going. You will not be happy at just any university, you need to do your research and make sure that it is exactly where you want to be. Of course, adjusting to the college life will be hard at first, but making new friends is unbelievably easy. When you first arrive on campus as a freshman there are hundreds or thousands of students that feel just like you. If you are normally shy around strangers, I would suggest living in a dorm so you are almost forced to make friends. Once you get the hang of things, you will enjoy the best years of your life. If you stay open minded, outgoing, and focused... everything will fall into place. Trust me.

James

It is actually really simple! Parents, just find a place where your kid can get involved in a group. For me, was involved in the LSU Tiger Marching Band and with the Christ the King Catholic and Student Center. With these two groups I made TONS of friends and always have something to do or someone to hang out with. Once you are as happy as I have become, school becomes fun, going to class is fun, and even studying and taking tests all just becomes part of the college experience for you!

Brad

Meet as many new people as soon as you get there to find your niche.

William

The first thing to consider is whether the university has a strong program in your particular field of interest. Secondly, costs are a factor as well, so a comprehensive budget should be formulated in order to properly weigh one's options. Emotional elements should not be neglected either, consideration should be given to where one wants to live for four years as the strain may be too much for some. All of the aforementioned are vital in choosing a university, but ultimately the college experience depends on the mindset of the individual. One's chosen field should so excite them that they independenttly study it beyond what the university requires.

Casey

Find a college that has the power to make you what you see yourself being when you grow up. If you can actually say that going to class is fun and its exciting, you will want to learn and eventually be what you want to be.

Christian

There are many things to consider when choosing a college, but I think the most important ascpects are the academics of the university and the campus enviroment. Academics are important for the obvious reason that you are going to college to get an education that will serve as the fundation for your success throughout your life. I don't think it is important to pay attention to national rankings our national prestige because there are SO many great universities that do not get recognized for the education that they offer to their students. But I do think it is important to look into what opportunities is offered by the university that can further enrich the students educational experience such as independent research projects (I was a science major so I'm only familiar with examples that pertain to science degree programs) and other opportunities for professional development. Campus enviroment is also a big factor to consider. When you are on campus, you should be able to look around and say to yourself: "I really belong here". I recommend getting involved with campus organizations, participating in extracurricular activites, and studying abroad to get the absolute most of your college experience.

Timothy

I would encourage parents to make it as easy as possible for their kids to make the right decisions, when choosing a college. Make sure their highschools inform them about various colleges and scholarships that those schools award. Although out of state schools do cost more, try not to completely count them out, because those schools may be able to offer the right environment kids need as they develop into young adults.

Jessica

Visit every school! When you step onto campus, you will know where you belong

Ashley

I strongly encourage students to research all of the options that are available to them and do not be discouraged by tuition costs or moving away from home. You can never know what sort of scholarships are available to you or how a university will work with your specific situation until you apply and explore your options. I also encourage students to start saving money before college so that your college work load will not be as hard. It is difficult to remain on top of your school work while keeping a well paying job. My last bit of advice is to choose your housing/roommate wisely. A good roommate can make your college experience just as much as a bad roommate can break it. A bad roommate can affect everything from school work to relationships to your own financial standing, so choose wisely!

Samantha

I would tell the students to make sure the college is right for them. The college chosen should have similar priorities to the student. I would tell parents to think outside the box considering financial aid. Most colleges offer packages that help greatly with lightening the burden of college tuition.

karthik

Its not the decisions you make, its making them quickly and sticking to them

Dane

make sure you visit because sometimes the school is a lot different than what people say it is

Kelsie

In order to find the right college students need to understand themselves. They need to have a sence of where they might what to be after graduation and then choose a school that will best help them achieve that goal. Also, students should decide what the most important part of their college experience is going to be, whether it be soicalizing, athetics, or academics. Once these priorties are discovered schools can be narrowed down. Then students must decide whether they want large classes, small, or somewhere in between, and which one is going to best benifet them in the learning process, otherwise they will struggle through the semesters. Finally, it comes down to costs. When everything else has been decided, sometimes it just depends on how much you are willing to give up for your education, that might mean having loans you must pay off later in life, or simply giving up your social life to work a part-time job on top of school. In the end it depends on which school you believe is going to make you the most comfortable and give you the most out of these four years of your life.

Stephanie

I believe that it's most important to find a college that suits you and caters to your specific needs and interests. Convience and price are important, but you shouldn't base your choice solely on these factors. Apply to EVERY school you could possibly want to attend even if you don't meet every requirement. You never know... you may be accepted anyway and, if you don't try, you may be throwing away the chance for an amazing experience!

Jessica

To parents/ and or students trying to find the right school my best advice would be to go and visit the school and talk to the students on the campus while your there. They know best about their school since they've been there already.

Jessica

Determine what career field you are most interested in an try to find schools with high focus on those subjects. Enjoy these years of your life becuase they tend to go by very quick and they can be some of the best years of your life and where you make life time friends.

Jonathan

Optimizing your college experience involves two distinct steps: selecting the right college for you, and committing yourself to being open to all that it has available once there. When selecting a college, determine what characteristics you value most - whether academics, athletics, arts, music, tradition, proximity to family, urban/rural setting, foreign/local, etc. - and make sure to take advantage of your college's unique programs once there. In addition, remain open to new ideas and concepts. Although part of your college choice may (fortunately or unfortunately) be based on what is most likely to be familiar and comfortable, be willing to embrace, or at least understand, other perspectives and worldviews. 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of what you learn during college takes place in classrooms, and the rest is found in the diverse, unforgettable experiences only available on a college campus. Lastly, enjoy college while you are attending, but always keep perspective for the future - making sure to maintain your health, GPA and professional selling points. College is often described as preparation for life, but should also be realized as life itself, and so make sure that you have no regrets when you walk across the platform and finally receive your hard-earned diploma.

Carly

Choose a school that you feel best fits you. Do not just choose a school based on its reputation. Research academic programs and any extracurricular activities that you may be interested in. If you feel that you can preform better academically at a smaller school than choose the smaller school. In the end, all degrees are the same no matter where they come from. If you excel in your area of expertise, then you will be able to find what ever job it is that you are looking for.

Kaitlan

Finding the right college is an important task because it is where you will spend the next four years to pursue a degree for your future career. Researching colleges is a good way to start. I suggest finding an area where you want to go; in town or out. Look into small things such as the weather in order for it to be compatible with what you like. Then, see what the school has to offer by going on a campus tour or an internet tour. Check out the town the college is located in because it might have a lot of off campus activities to offer or none at all, also, meet the people and get their input about the town. Ask others who have gone to that particular college or even those who know a something about it. Find out what type of activities are offered and if they fit what you have in mind for your college experience. Make sure the college you choose has everything you want in a school. It is important to consider all angles because if you are unhappy your grades will suffer instead of enjoying the best years of your life.

Marylyn

Firstly, students need to have a good idea of what they want out of their college experience. When students go look at schools, they definitely need to take a full campus tour, and if possible, ask current students about their experience. If someone already knows what they're looking for in a school, it will help during the campus tour. Also, don't rule out any schools until you have seen them and know for sure you don't like it, keep options open. It is great to want to go where your friends are, but personally, I encourage people to branch out, make new friends and new experiences. For making the most out of any college experience, all any one needs is a little organization and a spirit to have fun. Extra curiculars also help every student find their group and passion, definitely adding to and building on the college experience! Just keep in mind that while grades matter, the experience is what really matters!

Kyle

When chosing a college decide what it is that you hope to do and get from the experience. Be honest with yourself about where you would fit it and excell and if the costs of attendence are within you and your parents means. Rank the factors that are important to you. The social enviroment, how academically challenging, the weather, proximity to home. Find the school that offers YOU what YOU are looking for. Does the school offer a course of study that you think you wish to take? Are your test scores and high school grades similar to the present student body? I am a huge sports fan, and supporting my colleges baseball, football, and basketball teams was a large factor in my decision I wouldn't expect my parents to opt to financially support me at a college I selected based on being party central, but I'm also not going to kid myself into trying to survive the academic rigors of Harvard or M.I.T type instution and forgo college football games, tailgating. I am happy , on the Dean List, and having a great time.

Amanda

The best plan wyould be to visit the colleges you are most intersesed in. You can't get a feel for a campus unless you visit and meet the people for yourself.

Allison

The best advice I can give to students is to decide what kind of college by determining the size of the school you want, which extracurricular activities you want the school to have, and most importantly, which schools have the majors you are interested in studying. After you have narrowed it down to a few schools, try to visit them. Once you have visited as many schools as you can, just follow your heart and go to the school that you feel suits you the best. It is not always important to follow your friends. For parents my best advice is to let your children make their choice. Do not force them or pressure them into going to an alma mater or a school that you think they will like. Simply, give your suggestions but never push too far.

Stephen

Listen to what your child desires and listed to what the school offers-closely.

Jennifer

Be flexible. You will probably be pleasantly surprised with the school you end up at, if you actually utilize all the things the school offers you!

Erin

I believe that the best way to choose the college for you is to visit the campus. Ideally on a weekday during the school year. It's easier to get the feel for the campus when you can actually see the students walking to and from class. This really does help you decide if you would fit in amoung the student body at that perticular school.