Oakland University Top Questions

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

Tiffany

To be smarter with my grades to qualify for scholarships. Being in College is so amazing if only i knew how much my grades would effect me later on i know i would of focused more on them. I tell my younger sister all the time if i could be in her position right now i would love to redo my Junior and senior year in high school not only to get better grades but to take college courses while in high school to get ahead of the game . College is awesome it makes life easier and its not all that hard how some people make it out to be . Counslers help a lot!

Melissa

I would advise myself to live each day to the fullest. Sometimes with how busy life can be, with classes, homework, jobs, extracurricular activities, etc., semesters seem to just blow by like a breeze. From time to time, it's necessary to just stop, take a breath, and enjoy life. If you have the mentality of "well I'll just be able to enjoy life after I graduate from college" and then later in life "well I'll be able to enjoy life after I retire" before you know it, your life will be almost over, and you practically missed it. It's important to make sure to partake in activities that make you happy, instead of soley performing actions that will just get you ahead academically or in your career. Also, I would advise myself to be prepared for disappointments in the future. Life is meant to be filled with ups and downs, and sometimes events happen for a reason so that we can learn from our mistakes and we can recognize the good times.

Theresa

Don't stress yourself out as much as you are about how difficult college life will be to adjust to. As long as you learn to properly manage your time, you can actually partcipate in more things on campus than you ever thought you would be able to before. College is about being able to find your true identity and making your own choices for your future rather than having someone else tell you what to do. Take this as your chance to improve yourself and the decisions you make each day because when you think of it that way, there's NOTHING to stress out about!

adrianne

don't sweat the small stuff. you'll think you have everything figured out before college starts, but you'll be so wrong. be surprised, and don't worry about what people think. do what's best for you

Regine

Don't live with regrets. Have a balance of school and social life.

Sarah

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would go back in time and tell myself, as a senior, to be focused at all times and not to get distracted. Create good study habits and don't be stressed if you are undecided going into college; It's okay to be undecided, college is about finding what you like to do, and applying that knowledge for the future so that you may become successful one day. Try not to get easily influenced by others actions so that you won't fall off your success map. Preparation is essential when entering into college. Make sure all books and materials are bought prior to entering college. Pick your schedule wisely, try not to cram too many credits in your first year, because it'll be hard while transitioning into your first year. Be attentive, stay focused, and don't forget to always leave room for school activities and community service. Also have time for yourself to relax, at the end of the day you'll need to rest.

Lauren

Make sure you explore your options!

Kristin

I would tell a parent or a student to make the most out of there college experience by taking advantage of the resources, programs or activities. By doing that you can learn new things about a different culture or about other people.

Daniel

It is up to the kid,,, its an investment in their future!

Jennifer

Take your time with selection of school and area of study. Make it worth your future. Every person has their own special experience, make it personal and get to know your professors.

Laura

The advice I would give parents is try and have open-mindedness of their child's decision to attend their choice of college. Not every college is right for them. The college their child chooses might not be the most renowned or the biggest, but it might be the ideal environment for their academic success. The advice I would give to a future collge student is to pick a college that fits their needs the best. Also, the student should realize their intentions of going to college. It may be another excuse to meet new people, socialize and party. Or an actual stepping stone to help them better prepare for their future careers. Another tip is to consider the size of classes whether the student prefers big lecture halls or more of the one-on-one experience with a teacher. I have noly completed one year at Oakland University, and by taking necessary precautions of choosing the right college for me, I very much enjoyed my first-year experience.

Kelsey

Deciding the right college is one of the most crucial decisions of a person's life. There are many things to consider when choosing a school, such as the size of campus, number of students in classes, programs available, the environment around campus, and Greek life. When a student is going to campus everyday, nothing less than perfect is acceptable, so make sure that it meets all your requirements. When debating between two or more schools going to the campus or talking to professors or advisors give prospective students more information and therefore help narrow their choices. Once the decision-making process is over and incoming students are thrust into college life, there are several things freshmen can do to become acquainted; walk around campus with friends, talk to advisors and professors, and join organizations. Becoming friends with people at school is also very critical so that during your study-free time you can take the chance to relax with other students. There is a higher chance of making friends when freshmen get involved with campus activities and programs. New students will quickly become acquainted with the professors and the campus, the key is making the most of their opportunities.

Geoff

Take advantage of community colleges especially right after high school. They offer a lot of help to people wanting to discover what they want to do with their lives. After community college and once you have your solid foundation just apply everywhere that you want to go. If you have your heart set on a college then put everything you have into getting into that college. Also have a good backup plan and make sure you save your money at every point.

Mark.

Look at as many colleges as possible. Go to the campus and talk to the studens walking around. Faculty will tell you what you want to hear in order to get you into the school. The students will be honest and tell you exactly what they think of the school.

Chrystina

The best advice I can give to anyone who plans to attend a college or university is to move out. Staying on campus, or near campus, is the best way to stay involved in the community that is your school. Having a strong sense of school spirit and pride is the best way to ensure a commitment to acedemic excellence and a willingness to achieve the highest goals set for them. Remain involved in after school activities, go to sporting events, join clubs, go to shows, enjoy being a part of a large family of people that are all in the same boat and share the same interests. Academia is important, but to lose sight of the community you are in and the people that surround you will only hinder one's ability to form connections and networks with individuals that will have the biggest impact in the future of every college student.

Jenna

You need to visit the college! Every college looks great in a brochure but you will never know what the college is really like unless you do some leg work. If you know people at the college you have an advantage becasue they are more likely to be honest with you, whereas the students who show you the campus are trained to spin their answers to please you. Find out what the professors are like, the likelyhood of getting into the classes you need, and the typical class sizes. When you're in college find something to get involved in, it is the best way to get to know your school and the more connections you make the better your chance are of getting great letters of reccomendation when the time comes for them. Stay on track with your advisor becuase there is nothing worse then finding out you just broke our back for a class that you don't actually need. Most of all keep your focus, but remember to make the most of your time in college, it can be one of the most influential times of your life so make sure it is worth it!

Jamie

If I have advice to give to the parents or students about finding the right college it would be to go away to school if possible. I think that going away to school gives the student the full college experience and the student learns valuable life experience that can not be learned in a classroom.

Christine

Find out what the professors are like before taking classes. They make or break the class no matter the subject. Make sure the schools social life is what you expect and want.

Chad

Do your best to get the most for your money. College is expensive and needing to work simultaneously can make school work more of a challenge while limiting your social life. Be sure that the school you choose will allow you to balance these efficiently. Also, be sure to allow yourself to have fun on the occasion. Four years is a long time and without the occasional outlet you may find yourself burnt out. The very last thing you would want to tell people when they ask of your college experience is that you are a college drop out. Simply take it one day at a time and you will be surprised at how quickly summer comes.

Thomas

Find the best environement for the student since that would determind how well the student will do in school.

Andrew

I would say that Oakland University is a great school for a very reasonable price. It is a smaller university with small calss sizes and if parents are worried about parties it is not a party school and their kids would have to know the right people to be getting into that

Melody

Visit and get involved. Meet new people, sit next to other people sitting alone in the cafeateria.

Megan

I would tell parents and future college students to spend the time researching information about where you would like to attend college and about college life in general while still in high school.

Jennifer

Make sure you visit each university and if you have friends that are attending college you should stay with them for a weekend to get a better feel of university living.

Jason

To find the right college, there is help available for those who have no direction whatsoever. However, if one researches, visits, and compares campuses, he or she will find that it is quite easy to decide which one is best. I think an excellent marker of a good college is how many people are around when they are not in class. If it is observed that large numbers of students are using academic facilities (eg- computer labs, library, etc.), then it becomes quite apparent that the campus is a wonderful learning center that encourages success. I would also recommend even asking a few questions to students around a campus, which may be helpful in determining whether or not that college is the right one. To make the most of a college experience, it is important to GET INVOLVED. There is nothing better than connecting with peers and participating in a character-building experience, be it running a small group or helping in a conservation effort around the school grounds. Getting involved in organizations on campus is the most important factor to having an enjoyable and memorable college experience.

Sandra

Knowing what you want is really key. If you want a place the is like a small town, then go for a smaller campus. if you want a big city life then look in the city.

Angela

If you are living at home and short on income then pick a university that is close to home and that is within your money range. The university you pick will become a big part of your life so chose a campus that will be accomidating for you and that you feel comfortable in. Also, if you like small or large classes you need to keep it in mind when lookfor a class.

Stephanie

I would reccommend that parents and students discuss school options TOGETHER. Important topics might include financial aid, cost of living and major and minor programs. Financial aid can be confusing and cause unncessary stress for an already preoccupied student and having a foundation of knowledge about loans, grants, and scholarships can be helpful! Also, knowing how to prepare and stick to a budget is also important for a student! This organization is essential for a student's performance inside and outside of an academic setting! It is also important to know potential academic paths that the student may choose, and it might be a good ideaa to select a school that can fit most of these choices.

Jean

Kids, find something you are truly passionate about that will also have a job for you to be in once you get your degree. Then check out the school and what it has to offer as perks to residents and commuters. Parents and students, check into EVERY financial aid opportunity that you can find that you are eligible for. They help a lot. Focus on school. Study hard. Put partying on hold until you are on break or done with school. Education is a must now with our economy in the state it is in.

Timothy

Students attending college firstly need to make sure that hey are making an informed decision about the type of school they are attending. Visiting campus is very important in order to see what types of extra-curricular and social activities are available to students. Students do not want to enrll in a school where they believe that the social scene is going to be the same as another university becasause it usually is not. Universities with a high commuter student population tend to have less social activities and the student body tends to be very widespread. The internet is also a very good place to do research on a particular university. Doing simple searches for the university and your major should place you in contact with alumni of that particular major. There are a variety of websites that do this as well. Learn as much about career possibilities in your major as posible. Be financially responsible. If a student does not have much money, and is attending a school with a large amount of commuter students, it may be difficult to sociallize adequately since many activities are off-campus. Review financial aid, tuition, and most important- student fees per semester.

Julia

I would say that you should think about the money first. If a school will cost way more then you can afford then go somewhere else you can. In the long run you will be thankful you can afford to eat after graduation. Also remember that it is important that you do your best at where ever you go, even if it was not your first choice, it does not matter where you go it matter what you do about it when you are there.

Shawn

Visit the school.

Allyson

In regards to finding the 'right college', I would suggest two things. First, visit the school! The school may look great on paper or from stories others have told you, but until you have visited the facilities, watched the students, and felt a 'vibe' about the school, you will not know if you will feel at home there. Second, go it alone! Be willing to grow up, take responsibility, and learn about yourself BY YOURSELF. Choose the school that you feel will have the environment you want to be around for the next four years (or so) and the school that will better you so that you can pursue what you want to in life after you graduate. Do not choose a school because it is your parents alma mater or because all of your high school friends are going there. Choose a school that YOU want and need, and the new friends and activities will come!

Whitney

Research all aspects of the colleges or universities that you are considering. Do not just focus on sports related, social or location issues. Consider the reason to seek an education, and discover an environment that you believe you will be able to focus in. Consider payment options and financial aid. Seek out activites outside of your typical experience. Talk to people in your classes, make friends. Drinking isn't everything, but then again a social life is important. Ask questions in class, get your moneys worth! If youre not happy where you are, dont drop out, transfer.

Hea

finding college is not only about education. it is important for students to have some campus life experience, such as living out side of family home. i think students learn a lot by living alone during college years, whether they regret it at the end or chage to make a better campus life.

Caitlin

Students: Make sure that you check out the professors and the advisor of your program. If they seem cool, then you've found your school. Everything else (friends, classes, homesickness, etc.) will fall into place but, if you hate your program, it makes everything else that much more stressful. If you haven't decided on a Major, go to Community College for a couple years... don't waste your money! Parents: Yes, all college campuses have access to drugs and alcohol. Yes, your child will probably be put in a situation where they have to choose if they wish to partake... try to have an open dialogue about it, but be CALM! The only way win your child's trust and plant the seeds of discretion is if you accept that they will make some poor choices. Don't let them fall down completely. Your responsiblity is to support them and try your best to guide them (but not it that annoying parent sort of way). Oh, and if they want to Major is something offbeat or creative, let them! Don't worry, they WILL find a job!

Lori

FInd out what your child wants to do and what expectations they have for their career choices and school experience.

Kim

If you are unsure of your career choice, choose a college that offers a good liberal arts degree. If you are sure of your career choice, spend a day with a professional in that career and see what they actually do in a day, if you're still interested, choose a school that is known for that career.

David

Take time to find the type of school for the person in question. If you are one for small classes and more teacher student interaction, look for that. Big names are great, but they may not always be the best at the field you are going into.

Lisa

Find a school that is known for the program you are going into. It's also important to find a school that has a culture you are comfortable with. It's extremely nice to have small classes where the professors know your name.

Lisa

First of all, deciding on whether you want to go away to school or to stay home is the definately the most crucial part. I find that staying home allows you to focus a little bit more on your school work and party a lot less. Picking the right college is very important because you will be spending the next 4 years or so of your life at this school, so make sure you like the campus and enjoy being at that college. There are a lot of good schools out there, the best thing to do is to go on tours of different campus and find the best one that suits you as a student and also will suit your social life.

Andrea

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Scott

Please make sure your student knows what he or she is going into. Get with an advisor and plan the student?s classes from start to finish. The education program is VERY intense and is a great deal of work; your student must keep on top of their work. People on campus can be rude, but most are quite and like to be left alone. There is a select small group of students are racially driven and will use reverse discrimination to get their ways. General education classes have a large amount of students 50-150; the further along your student gets the smaller the class size. Not all classes are taught well by professors, some are taught by the SI?s, and material on the professor made exam is not covered by the SI?s instructions.

Samir

College is what you make of it. You get out what you put in, and in a good school you get so much more. If you put time into getting to know your school, its history, and traditons then you will be able to fully realize the schools potential as well as your own. Yet, if you don't get involved and don't attend classes how can you expect to have a great college experience. That's just it, you can't. Whatever school you decide to go to, make sure you get involved. Make the school your own, your definitely paying enough for it. Take pride in your classwork, take joy in your extra-cirricular involvements, and scream your heart out at the sporting events! Remember, the reason you decided to go to college was to better prepare yourself for a career. But that doesn't mean you cant have fun preparing! Good luck! P.S. Ramen Noodles are your friend.

Amy

The college years are extremely important years in a persons life so it's important to choose a school that will give you a great college experience. There are a few things that you should look for when choosing a school. One of these things is class sizes. Some colleges have huge lecture halls that hold hundreds of student but if you prefer to have a more one-on-one relationship with your professor than you shoud choose a school with smaller class sizes. The best way to tell if a college is the right one for you is to visit the campus and talk to people who go there. When in college is is important to realize how important all of your classes are and you should take every class you have seriously and put time and effort into each one, but you shouldn't only focus on schoolwork. You should become familiar with the campus and find out what activities they have that you'd be interested. If you do both of these things your college years will be some of the best years of your life.

Amanda

It is important for students to choose a school based on what their academic needs are, NOT the school their friends are going to. Of course I wanted to go to school with my friends but I chose the school that was more aimed towards my major andI am very glad that I did! It might be a hard decision but you will be glad you chose the right school later. Also, do not put off applying to colleges! start in junior year so you have plenty of time and do not stress yourself our senior year. Also, many students think they would like to take the least number of classes possible but that will only work if you want to stay in school for 20 years. If financially possible, students should not overload themselves, but take as many classes as they can handle in order to complete school in good time. Take classes that are important for your major, not just classes that seem fun, unless you have the money you dont mind spending. Try your hardest in school, be yourself, and have fun! college is a big bit of your life-dont let it pass you by.

Jaclyn

I strongly believe in having a goal, or a set plan in mind before entering any college. Taking random classes, when money is an issue, is not a good idea. Every college does have certain requirements, so classes not going towards your degree may have to be taken. They say this will create a well-rounded, educated person. If you do not have any idea what you want to do, talk to an advisor right away. Do not wait a year into your college experience. A social life seems to be very important in a college student's life, but really it's the education you recieve. Put the partying aside and concentrate on your classes. It may seem hard, but it will eventually pay off (I hope). College is a basis for your career, so concentrate on that now. Save the fun for summer!

Bianca

Make sure your child is picking the right school for the right reasons. College years are the most crucial and most important in paving the way to their future. Students need to know everything they can about the school they're applying for, as well as the parents. Do the research for each university or college desired to be attended and spend time discussing as a family on where your child may be attending. It's a great experience especially when it's done as a family.

Tyler

go to the college that you fell at home that you will get the most out of it and make many freind along the way start early with picking on where you would like to go

Leslie

Many 18 year-olds are not ready to move away from their homes. I stayed home for college and attened Oakland University. Many of my friends always told me that I should of moved away because "the freedom and parties are awesome." Yes, that did sound fun, but I know that the most important thing about college is your education. I still go out and have fun with friends just like any other college student, but I am able to stay focused on school. I know many students that go away and flunk out of school because the partying took over their life. Smaller colleges like Oakland still have many fun things for students to do and get involved in. I am enrolled in the college of education at Oakland and found out that it is the best in the state! My friends almost convinced me to go away, but I am so glad that I didn't. My advice to you, future college students, is to look at all your options before setting your heart on moving far away from the parents. You might be surprised by the outstanding programs that smaller, closer, and cheaper universities have to offer!