Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Top Questions

If I could go back in time and give myself advice I would start with telling myself college is a great time to live life and find out for yourself who you really are so embrace that. Do not let the uncertainities of life scare you. The transition of high school to college isn't easy but you will get through it. The people God has put in your life are for a reason and they love and support you more than you will ever know, therefore, talk to them, lean on them, and be there for them as well. Live, laugh, and love college because before you know it the opportunities you had there will be gone.

Looking back I would tell myself to plan, prepare, and decide what is important to me. It is so important to get your priorities straight. There is time to have fun and be with friends, but your main focus must be your grades, and studying to earn those good grades. I would want to tell myself that having the best social life will not help you get a job in the future. Your classes are the most important thing to focus on and if you do not do well, then you will not be prepared for post-college life and you will surely regret not trying as hard as you could. It is very important to figure out what works for you, regarding studying, and to stick to that plan. You must find a balance between school, work, friends, and family. You will realize that the things you once thought were important, like partying and making friends, are a small part of life and there are many other more important things that you must devote your time and efforts to. Try your hardest in everything you do, stay focused, trust in God, study, study, study, but have fun!!

Take time to think about the future. Look into financial aid early. Just breathe, things will work out and as long as you strive to be your best and you try your hardest to succeed, you will. Keep your motivation and dedication in high regard, they are the tools that will get you though the journey. There are resources that will help you, find them and use them. Study hard, go to class, and keep the future in mind. It is worth it.

WE need to enjoy every single day. Because life is about to get tougher. All the carefree days are partly over. Even though all of OUR problems seem so important now, they are only important because they happened to US. In the broad spectrum of reality, many of these issues are so minor. And, given a few days and some hindsight, we will realize and believe that. WE are about to learn about matters that we thought only grownups worried about. Finances, bills, and planning for the future. WE must realize that we are grownup now, too! Sort of. I am proud that WE planned ahead academically and have applied OURSELVES so that we will have an opportunity to succeed and be admitted to Vet School early. Although that is quite an accomplishment, the rigorous schedule and expectations will eliminate, even earlier, OUR opportunity to be a kid. So, let us dance every dance. Laugh with each friend. Play with OUR dogs. Have lunch with Mom. And sleep in every Saturday morning. Because childhood is incredibly short. But meaningful. And will carry us into the next stage of our life quite admirably.

Your parents, though quite annoying and maybe a bit smothering, do know more than you want to believe. Take their advice now and you won't have to ask for as much of it again later. The first year will much harder than you think it should be--but that's okay, because it's the same way for all of us. Don't enroll in any classes before 9:30. Even if you don't plan on partying, your roommate might and that will make it really hard for you to wake up for a 7:30 or an 8:30 class.

I would have chosen a college based almost entirely on its reputation, as recruiters are well aware of the quality of education at each university. When choosing the courses I enrolled in, I would have chosen them based on relevance and the challenges it presented rather than the ease of the material just to get a good grade. I believe a higher level of involvement in the university would have benefitted me in the long run, as a leadership role in college develops leadership skills that are carried throughout one's career. College is a time to discover your interests and capabilities, and making the most of your time as a student is crucial in developing the foundation for the success you will experience in your career.

I would have chosen a college based almost entirely on its reputation, as recruiters are well aware of the quality of education at each university. When choosing the courses I enrolled in, I would have chosen them based on relevance and the challenges it presented rather than the ease of the material just to get a good grade. I believe a higher level of involvement in the university would have benefitted me in the long run, as a leadership role in college develops leadership skills that are carried throughout one's career. College is a time to discover your interests and capabilities, and making the most of your time as a student is crucial in developing the foundation for the success you will experience in your career.

Assuming it is the beginning of my senior year i would tell myself t oapply for more scholarships and to take my ACT more seriously. As far as transition into college goes that was just the next step and the transitional process was fine. i would also tell myself which professors to take and what things to avoid so that my college experience would be even more amazing than it is now.

I was able to "come out of my shell" in college and became involved in a number of activities both on campus and in the surrounding community, but it took a while before I was confident enough to put myself out there. If I could go back in time and give my high school self any advice it would be not to be afraid of trying new things and facing new challenges. College is about becoming your own person and discovering what you would like to do with your life. You'll make mistakes, but you'll also have amazing and wonderful successes. Of course I would never advocate that my high school self go out and make crazy and poor decisions, but it would have been nice to realize that it's okay to apply for every committee or activity that interests me and to ask to be involved in anything that catches my eye (the worst they can say is 'no'). My parents told me some of those same things, but sometimes it's hard to see just how smart your parents are when you're 18.

My advice to myself, would be to not attend a major university right out of high school. As I reflect back on my life and academic carrier, I should have gone to joined the military for a short stint or attended a junior college or both before attempting a major university. I know this would have helped me develope better study habbits and better discipline for long term academic success. Thank you for your consideration.

If I could go back as a high school senior there are three things I would tell myself to better prepare for college. The first would be to take advantage of all the things my town has to offer and not to take my family for granted. If I had known I was going to school so far away I would have savored my time with them much more. Second, I would tell myself to pace my senior year. While we were all excited to get out of high school, it went by so fast and some of those people or moments I will never get to see or have again. And third, I would tell myself to pay attention in class and really focus on the mid-term and final exams. In the moment, no one cares about those exams but I would have been much more prepared for college if I had learned to study more in high school. Overall I loved high school and my main statement to myself would be to have fun and soak everything up!

I would tell my self to start filling out Scholarships and working throught out the summer. Moslty its because college is very expensive, and you neen money to get through. Money isnt everything, but it help out a lot when your in tight sistuations.

Oklahoma State University is an accredited school that offers many extra-curricular activities, variety of on-campus living, school-spirit, and a friendly campus family. Make sure you go Greek because most of the leadership on campus is from the Greek community. Although the Greek community is strong on OSU campus do not let in consume all your time, energy, and thoughts. Get involved in some of the other organizations on campus. OSU has a club for anything and any interest you may have. Since there is so much to get involved in make sure you are leaving enough time for you academic and work life. Take advantage of the writing labs, Math and Science Learning centers, Statistic labs and free on campus tutoring. Meet with your professors and persevere through this time of transition from high school to college. Time management is huge and learning your best studying method is crucial. Growing as an individual in your college years is important and setting goals and dreams to work towards will keep you motivated.

I would remind myself of how hard I worked for my good grades in high school and to keep up that hard work. I would also tell myself to get involved with campus organizations because they can help you keep an organized schedule. Being involved in organizations also helps you to meet new people and learn more about the campus. These students can also give you advice on which classes to take and which professor to take. I would also tell myself to study everyday for my classes, even if I did not have to in high school. College is not the same as high school. You must stay focused on going to class, asking for help, studying, and doing all of your homework.

Make sure you choose a school where you want to go. It's okay to go somewhere that you don't know anyone. Get involved and make new friends. Try to step out of your comfort zone of the same people and try new things. Always go to class! There is no reason to skip class, the more you skip, the more likely you are to fail. Try to grow up a little and be responible, even though it is your first time living without your parents, keep your priorities straight and never forget the main reason why you are there! College is about having fun, but don't let college get in the way of your education.

Take the ACT as many times as possible.

Have someone older than you to be there for you and to help guide you.

don't listen to your mom, go to tcc and take the free college

I would tell myself not to stress out and worry so much. As far as exams and final exams go, just pace myself so I do not have to cram too much. And remember, if I have to pull an overnighter, it is just one night and I can sleep the next day. Do not stress out about that. The biggest thing I would tell myself is to stay an extra year and get my master's degree. Once out of school, it is hard to go back and even harder to work full time and go to night school. Stay the extra year and get the master's degree. College is one of the best experiences a person has in their life. You will never have that exact combination of being young, care-free, and friendships as you do in college. Staying an extra year if possible is a gift. My last advice would be to take advantage of any travel opportunity around, like seeing Europe in 29 days or backpacking across Europe. Don?t be afraid to ask Mom and Dad! You never know if they will say ?yes? unless you ask them!

Take it slow. Don't worry about it, your going to figure it out its going to be ok. Enjoy it more and get more out of it. Be aggressive and talk to professors and counselors learn about what you need to take and get the answers you want. Learn about fincial aid and ways to pay for college. Don't be shy its your college experience, your money and your future...go after it!

My advice would be short and simple. I would simply tell myself that I need to make and save as much money as possible because nothing is cheap in college. To get involved on campus, almost every organization requires semester dues, or one time dues between $50 and $100. Moreover, savings are essential if you want to be able to study abroad as I do.

Reflecting back on my past two years in college, I have to admit there isn't much that I would change. However, I would tell the highschool senior version of myself to talk to my parents about college and learn what a GPA is. I was the eldest child and my parents never really discussed college with me until I brought it up with them. I didn't know what a GPA was until the end of my sophomore year in highschool. Luckily, my grades were good, so my ignorance didn't hinder me when it came time to search for a university. I would also tell myself to have more fun! I was always paranoid about getting into too much trouble, I was a big "goody good." I wish I had taken more risks, not necessarily big ones, nothing to get myself into any real trouble, but a little harmless trouble never hurt anyone. Lastly, I might have taken that track scholarship. Of course that would mean changing my whole college experience as I now know it, but it would be interesting to see how things would have played out.

I would advise myself to take more AP classes so that I could test out of them for college credit. I took one AP class and was able to receive credit for it after passing the test. I wish I had taken more, because college is more expensive than I realized and I could be much further ahead by now.

I would tell myself to go to class every day. Other than that just remember who you are and family comes first

To the parents, I would say to let go of your kid. College is the time they get to be independent and figure stuff out for themselves. They can't do that with a parent-shaped shadow behind them constantly. For the students, I would say to dive in from the beginning. College is a lot more fun with friends and they aren't hard to make if you get out there. Just find an organization and start going regularly. Once you find a few close friends, it will mutiply exponentially throughout your college career. As far as picking the right school, that is up to you. If you like the climate, the campus, and the camaraderie, you have found the college that was made for you.

Research the 'party history' of the school you're interested in so there are no surprises. Visit the campus DURING the school year, during a regular day, talk to the students about the pros and cons of the school. Be willing to change schools if the one you end up at first doesn't work out. Keep looking for financial aid, its out there, and you'll probably need it. Your kid doesn't need a car, there's no parking anyway. The first year is for figuring things out, cut them some slack. College is hard in so many ways.

Well, I would give the parents and/or students advice on finding the right college by merely visiting the campus. Many students make the mistake of only applying and looking at online pictures to show them how school will be. I believe that my choice at OSU was made easily because I had friends that previously went there to show me around and I went on a private campus tour. I asked all the questions that I needed to know while getting a complete visual of what to expect. Advice on making the most of the college experience, I would encourage the student to participate in as many on-campus activities as possible. Explore the campus a bit, see what clubs and organizationa are avaliable. Being more involved with campus activities could help you meet new people and experience as much of your college as possible.

I would suggest listening more to your parents suggestions. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted and did not truly listen to what my parents were suggesting - if I had, maybe I would have had more colleges on my list. I also got very bored with the "process" of visiting various colleges and probably did not visit as many as I should have. I also thought that most of the other students at St. Joe's would be like me and put more emphasis on their academics than other things. I thought that if I went to a higher priced college, it would deter unwanted behavior - I was wrong! I now feel that I put my parents and myself in a financial bind when I may not have had to.

I would definitely travel to the school and compare the facilities and campus grounds. Make sure the campus is the right size for their preference. If a large school is hard for the student to learn in, then you can tell by the research available on the universities website. Talk to friends that may have considered going and ask why they did not. Above all, make sure the university is compatible with the degree the student is considering.

Do the work that needs to be done, but don't forget to enjoy your time spent. Don't live with regrets!

make sure you can afford it

Don't try to go from one extreme from where you have lived to a whole new lifestyle at college; try to at least find a happy medium (i.e. if you lived in a small town all your life, don't move to NYC). Parents: let your kids have some freedom in high school, because if they are too sheltered and held back, when they get to college and are away from you they will act out very seriously. Have fun in school, relax, but don't forget to STUDY!

The best way to find the right college is to first way your options academically, financially, and keep location in mind. Once you find the college that best fits your situation, the best way get the most out of college is just to be yourself. Don't be pressured into joining organizations or volunteering or taking on more than you can handle, but just be who are around everyone and you will enjoy yourself. Best years of your life.

Look for a college that lets you become the person you want to be and not what they want you to be.

If I were to give future college students advice about choosing the right school for them, I would simply tell them to follow their heart. Too often young people let financial setbacks keep them from attending the school they really wish to attend and I think this is so sad. I feel that you have to go where you are led and you cannot let financial worries stop you. I attend a school out of state and am paying for all of my college on my own. It is very scary to think about the amount of money I will owe when I graduate, but I followed my heart and am right where I should be. If you follow your heart I can be sure that you will be happy with your decision.

Do plenty of research about what you want in a school, and what you want from your career. Also, don't let your financial situation control your decisions, finding a college that really fits your needs as a student, and allows you to follow your career path is very important.

Its very important to visite the schools you are interested in, and really good to sit in on some classes. Talk to students who attened the school and ask questions not just about academics. The academic side of a school is important but other considerations like the feel of the student body is equally important when you consider being at one place happily for four years. Find out about finicial aid, tutoring, english lab, study spaces before you go so you are more likely to utilize them. In the end scholorships brought me to my university. Finances are REALLY important but can't be the only consideration.

Visit several campuses and take advantage of overnight stays. It is important to talk to students who aren't paid to be the tour guides--find people who are leaving courses and ask them questions. Also, ask for appointments with professors in the academic disciplines you're interested in. They will be able to help you decide whether the academic standards are what you are looking for.

Visit the campus. Make sure you research the community-if there are a lot of outdoor activites, entertainment (mini golf, rec rooms, etc) or cultural activities within the town or city students are less likely to spend all of their free time drinking and partying. The environment you put yourself in maybe just as important for success as the university you attend. Although you may not be exactly sure what you want to do when you first go to college, you have an idea of what you are interested in and what you like-study abroad, clubs you might want to join, etc. Research those things when you go visit the campus. Find out if they have a career/job center-that's usually a good sign. If you need to work while you are in college, be sure to research the job market on campus and off-campus. If you are not a very good student, you might consider choosing a smaller campus for more one-on-one attention from professors. Large campuses have learning resource centers but they are usually packed and you are normally being tutored by students who have just taken the class!

The first piece of advice that I would give parents and/or students trying to find the right college to attend would be that they need to understand how important and big this decision is, but it can also be fun. College is suppose to be the time or your life and you only get out of it as much as you put into it. When searching for just the right college it's important to keep in mind the cost, location and opportunity. My advice would be to physically go and visit each college you are interested in, a brochure simply doesn't do the job. Besides you wouldn't pick out a new car without and least going to see it. As for making the best out of college, I would say get as involved as you can. Join committees, church groups, study sessions anything that gets you to meet new people. My advice would be don't be scared of putting yourself out there, keeping in mind not to get too involved to the point you don't concentrate on your schoolwork. College is such an eye opener, look around, you might learn something!

Don't let limits hamper your opportunity to better yourself.

The college experience is different for every person. Most Universities are different, that doesn't mean some are better that others, simply that some fit the needs of an individual better than another. A good college or university most always will provide a good education to help the student's future, but the kind of college; big, small, liberal, technical, etc., depends on the student's individual preferences. And once the choice has been made the student should take it all in and be open to new experiences in order to get the most of it. Because regardless of the school of choice that time of life will be full of growing experiences.

I would advise parents/students to not only do fact-finding on the college of interest but if possible, try to visit the school prior to making their final decision. Also, inquiring about the type of financial aid or scholarships that the student is qualified for also helps significantly. And if the college offers a program where the incoming freshmen can move into their dorms early in order to help them socialize and find where their classes are before school starts definitely helps the student feel more comfortable at at home thus the likelihood of their college experience being great from the beginning is very high.

I would tell future college students to look into several colleges. Which one has a better campus, academic program, or reputation. Do not go to a school just because that is where all of your friends are going. Also, cost is of course a major deciding factor. I would tell parents to let your child chose that school that is right for them (as long as your pocketbook can afford it!). They will adjust better and be happier in an environment they picked. After all, you do want them to stay in school don't you? Lastly, I would tell students to go to class! This is one mistake several first semester students make, and usually end up paying for it with their first semester grades.

When trying to determine the right college for you you should choose the place you feel most comfortable, the place that makes you feel the most at home. You should also choose the place where you believe you can get along with the most people and make friends. Most importantly you should choose the place where you believe you will get the best education, the place that has all the resources you are looking for in a school and the place that will help furture your career after graduation. School should be fun but should also be the best school as far as your major.

Make sure you find a school that matches your speed of learning.

The funny thing about advice is that it never works for everyone and that is precisely why I would reccomend for future college students and thier parents alike to first analyze thier individual "perspective" before choosing a University. Perspective is something I have come to understand in more depth over my last four years of college. I have learned that there is one world in which we all live together, but the options for the worlds we can each create are endless; these worlds are defined by our individual perspectives. My perspective of success may be one that explores the greatness of this world through travel and yours may be owning a multi-million dollar business. Neither path should be viewed as more "successful" than the other, for each is born from some perspective or passion. The ability to create your own success by understanding your perspective is influenced greatly through your choice of university. By understanding yourself and your passions before even attempting to make a decision, you will be more apt to find a university that heeds way to your perspective and thus your ultimate success and happiness; whatever it may be. The world is yours to perceive.

Keeping an open mind. Finding one that will not put you in the hole financial. Finding a college that fits what you want to get out of it and being honest about what you want out of college.

kNOW WHAT YOU ARE WANTING TO MAJOR IN BEFORE YOU GO TO COLLEGE

To find the right college for you, take a tour and/or spend the night. If you have any friends stay with them because getting to know the life outside the classroom is just as important as in the classroom. Real world experience is key to a successful college experience and also prepares you for the future. You can always read about what classes are offered for your major but you can not read about finding friends and a social life. However, it is not wise to find a college only about the social atmosphere, then you will be behind in your academic career.