San Francisco State University Top Questions

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

Paul

The perfect college experience is one that allows the student to explore an environment different to the one they come from. College is as much a academic learning environment as well as a social learning environment. Students should be able to experience new things and meet new people that expand their veiw of the world. Getting involved in your school's extracurricular activites, like clubs and sports, is a great way to get integrated into the school's atmosphere. It is also important to be very critical about the city in which your school is located. Some students might want to be nearby home so they can visit when they want to, or need to. Some others might want to be on the other side of the country if they feel like they need to leave the nest for a while. Focus more on the culture, and vibe of the school more than what majors they specialize in. In California, most universities will give you a quality education in all of the majors they offer. The best advice I can give is to surround yourself with unfamiliar, and interesting, people and places to enrich your soul and expand your world.

caesar

go with your gut

Nancy

You must do your research on what kind of college you want to go to : junior college, state college, univeristy, or private. It is also important to have a campus tour because you cannot actually see how a campus is like until you go there in person. Review what kind of programs they offer from all around the specturm of needs: academic programs, student services, housing, meals, quality of professors and classrooms. When you begin your semester, remember to stay positive and try to do your best in school. Always ask for help if you need it.

robin

dont go cheap on education

Brendan

My advice would be to be open to everything. College is such a big step in a young person's life and it is going to be filled with an incredible amount of new experiences. Don't be afraid to try things that first year in college that you have never tried before. Usually this is the best way to make new friends, build networks, and make your university life something to remember. First of all, I would recommend that you begin your college search with your academic pursuits as a priority. How well is the program for this academic major at this college? Then try and find the school where you think you might be most challenged and where you would have the most fun. Try new sports, join clubs, and make friends with reckless abandon because that is what college is for. College is there to prepare you for adulthood. Just remember that that journey can be one of the best experiences of your life.

Jamie

The major piece of advice I would give is to visit potential colleges BEFORE you apply. I went to UC Irvine right out of high school because it was recommended to me, but I never visited the campus. I was left in shock and went home after one quarter because it was not the school for me. I was unhappy and my grades suffered because of it. Also, look for schools based on what major you are hoping to study. Keep in mind that you may want to change your major, but if you choose a school you love, you will enjoy studying an array of subjects there. If you don't know what you want to do or where you want to go, go to community college! It saves a ton of money and allows you more time to look for the campus that fits you and the general education will help you find which major excites you the most. Once you've entered college, have fun. It is scary at first, but after a while you realize that fear helped you grow and mature. Also, be grateful to those who help you through - they're just as proud!

Marissa

The best advice I could give is to make a list of what you like. For instance, do you want to go to a college with divesity? Do you like cold or hot weather? What type of major are you instrested in? Housing? Once you do this, find colleges that suit your needs and VISIT THEM! Some people research the college and never visit them till the first day of school and end up hating the enviroment. Go on a campus tour and/or orientation. Its also a good way to make friends as well.

Sarah

You should always remember that the people who give the tour guides for colleges are not necessarily those who would know best as to whether you would enjoy the school. The key is not to decide on a school based upon the enthusiasm of the tour guide (is his/her job to be enthusiastic), but to try to find others who share a similar interests, love of learning (if you don't love literature, do not bother trying to get an opinion from someone who does), and need for socializiation as you do. Make sure that the things you like to do now, or wish to try in the future are readily available. Attend a few classes and ask yourself if you would be comfortable participating in them. Most importantly, sit down and map out the classes you would need in order to complete your intended major; make sure that the plan seems manageable and that at least 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the classes you will have to take genuinely interest you. Be willing to make changes to your classes, major, or even school if things are not working out.

Sabina

I jumped into finding the right college only because of its great location which now I feel was the stupidest thing I ever did. Now my classes are too packed and my education is not what I expected. Really study schools, visit the uni, look at class size, clubs they offer, and what they specialize in. One thing I do love about my school is that once I joined a few clubs, I met great students from all over the world and they made me grow so much more.

Mahlet

search everything about the school before applying and know what major you are interested in. stay focused.

Keagan

Each college has a very differnt social and learning environment. The best way to choose a school is to narrow down your choices and when it comes time to visit those schools visit the classes and interact with the student body. Getting to know the campus life and teaching experiences that each school has to offer can have a profound effect on each persons decision. Schools may have prestigious reputations but if it is not the right social and learning environment it can make college a horrible experience. Attending a lecture and getting to know the students can give each person insight into the expereince a school can offer. Once a a person has found a school they like they have to find the right balance of social and learning experiences. If a new or continuing student spends all of their time studying they can easily find their lives will be very stressful. Though the point of college is an education, an equally important aspect of college are the social skills and relationships forged. Having a good balance between a social life and studying will make for a less stressful learning environment and create relationships that last a lifetime.

Kristine

Cost of attendence is not the only thing to look at. Look into the professors affiliated with your subject of study, where they work, where they went to school, what have they published. Look into alumni and see where they are now. Is the school research based or community based. Does the library subscribe to numerous peer review journals. Is the campus currently or will it be under construction when you attend. More than cost and degree offered determine the quality of education and experience.

Rahsaan

Take the time to do the research. This is where you are going to be for the next 4-5 years and will pave the way for the rest of your life.

carla

Make sure you really feel right at the campus, visit it often and talk to others because it's the place you/your child will be spending the next 4 years, transferring is a hassle. Also, it's good to make at least two friends in each class, not just for notes when you miss class but just to build your network and have more friends you can hang out with.

julia

College time, in my opinion, is time to explore. I believe students need to open up to new experiences and "fall in love" with the subjects they are being taught. It is important to challenge yourself, as a student, to be involved in community activities and participate in social life on campus. As a parent of a 8 year old, I would like my son to enjoy the environment of higher education when it's time for him to go to college. He motivates me to be a good student, to do the best I can; and I hope that my efforts, in return, shall motivate him to work hard at being the best he could be. It is our job, as parents, to help our children to see the benefits of knowledge and education. It is our job as students to explore and to use the knowledge we receive for benefits of others and our own.

Cristian

Start early and keep your options open. It's become ridiculously competative to get into schools, and public schools especially are suffering from budget cuts. Plan accordingly.

Allison

Each college campus is very different and carries its own personality. To find the one that fits you, you must do your research. This includes visiting the campus and comparing it to other schools you are interested in. Also, it is important to talk to other people you know who attend the school you are interested in. To make the most of your college experience I would encourage extra caricular activities. The more you are involved on campus the more people you'll meet, which result in more life long memories.

Roxanne

Don't choose a school based on other people's opinions everyone's experience is different.

nehis

To parents seeking to find the right colleges as well as college experiences for their children, I would say that they should consider some factors before enrolling their children into colleges. They should consider the behavoir of their children, the academic performances of their children, extracurricular activities available to students, academic resources available to students, and attitudes of the professors and students in the colleges. Parents that are raising up badly behaved and academically poor children may choose to balance the choice of their children's colleges with the behavior/perfomance of their children. A good advice for these parents will be for them to choose colleges that are less focused on social life, but more focused on academics, and counseling bad behaviour through campus activities. The most important criterial for students or parents looking for the right colleges and college experiences is the attitude of the professors. Some professors are so demanding academically and stressful to students. These professors make topics that are easy to be very difficult to understand, thus this can creates situations whereby students are in chaos and most students could hardly get involeved in campus activites as a result.

matthew

Find the college that has low enrollment, diverse classes, and is known for its academic and career training.

Audra

Look into other schools, this one isn't a very good option.

Candace

Make sure that the learning institution has all of the resources that you would need, think you might need, or not sure that you will even use. Always make sure that you apply for scholarships (and loans) because there is free money out there that can and will help pay for college. Get involved on campus! Join a frat or a soror or some kind of group or club to help make your college experience unforgettable. Talk to your professors and let them know who you are especially if the class is bigger than fifty. Doing this might help them remember you and you never know what may come from that. They may give you extra time for an assignment or the like just because they know who you are: especially if you have a really good reason. And always study. It's very easy to get on academic probabtion especially during your freshman year( trust me, I know) because college is a new and sometimes intimidating experience.

Brittany

My advice would go with your gut instinct. Dont think that a school is perfect for you just becuase you were accepted and have seen pictures. Get to know your school, visit, ask questions. The more you are aware of the easier it is to see if the fit is right. Look into important things such as walks to and from classes, the dinnning center, sports and activities. Everything is important when it comes to spending 8 to 9 months somewhere new. Try not to get discouraged if you don't get into your number one choice because there are schools out there that will be perfect for you. College is the best time of your life, choosing it might be stressful and overwhelming, but the outcome is so worth it. Good luck.