Missouri University of Science and Technology Top Questions

When deciding on a college, my advice to parents and students is take your time and find a college that offers exactly what you need and want. Not only is this important academically but socially as well. The right size, the right distance from home, the right sports teams, the right degrees offered, the right environment. After you pick the perfect college for you, jump right in. Get to know kids you will be going to school with, join networks (facebook), and have fun. The friends you make will help you through college. They will become your family and help you with classes and hard times in your life. An important thing to remember about college is you are paying for an education and an experience, if you are not getting what you are paying for, make it right. Advisors and teachers are there to help you. Make the most of your time, it is one of the best times of your life!

Talk to current students at the university and get their opinion on the campus, don't just listen to what the campus tour guides tell you!

Giving advice to parents is always hard to give without being a parent. Every parent wants what is best and they want their child to do the best at they are setting out to do. When it comes to college selection it is more of what is important to the soon to be college student. This is the first and hardest step in letting the student grow as a student and a person as it is also the first step in accepting decisions your student will be making about their life to make them happy. Try to find a school where the student is more than just a student, where they can be part of the school and contribute to the school. Students on their own are not as friendly as any school will make it out but it is the acceptance of the group or function the student chooses to take part in that matters. These will be the students that define what your student will do at school, not their classmates. The academic group or society they choose to belong to will also benefit them more academically through helping each other succeed.

Decide what field the student wants to study and visit as many schools offering that field as possible. If you can, spend a few days at the school attending classes and seeing life on campus. Do not limit your selection based on location or price because there is always a way to get around those things. Pick the campus that just feels right, there shouldn't be a doubt in your mind. When you finally get to school get to know the people living around you, meet as many people as you can. Get involved in greek life, a design team, or a sports team to get to know upper classmen. Form study groups and schedule a time to meet every week to help with homework and studying. Always make time for yourself; whether its going for a walk or reading a book, take a break from the stress of school.

Before signing on to one college, I advise all potential freshmen to spend a few days at their campus of choice...get a feel for the teachers, other students, and extracurricular activities offered. Once enrolled, get involved in at least one group-I found school to be much more enjoyable after I had established a small network of friends and acquaintances. Having, at least, a small comfort zone/group of friends seems to make everything better: learning, playing, working. Probably the most important thing for incoming freshmen to keep in mind is to STAY FOCUSED...be ready to work the hardest you ever had (and feel the most rewarded after a job well done) . Establish good study habits in the beginning to help you through the next few years. Enjoy the time you're in school...it flies by.

When you are visiting a college, don't be afraid to ask students there what it is like. You get a more candid review that way than from just the tour.

Consider everything, if you have one specific thing in mind, look at other careers anyway. Don't get sucked into a program by the promise of a good salary. Talk to students at the school, not just the kids they hire to give tours, they never ever tell you the bad with the good, and downplay anything negative at a school. Finally remember, a school is a buisness, the bottom line for them is not your happiness, its your money, make sure you end up doing something you love, don't fall victim to school loyalty if you arn't getting what you need out of a school.