Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Top Questions

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would let myself know that High school and College are two completely different places. 1 being you live on campus, so your no longer under your parents control, and your responsible for your own actions. 2 In high shcool you had to go to school it wasn't a choice it was an necessity, On the other in hand in college its up to you whether you should go to class or not. Teachers are not on your back in college like they are in high school, your not being babied up anymore. Its your responsiblity to make to class if you dnt go then its your lost basically. I would also inform, that don't take advantage of the freedom, You become so overwhelmed that you can do as you please you sort of forget the real reason your there. So just come with a straight head on your shoulders: know what your there for and accomplish that task,

The best advice I could give myself would be to get involed right away. Joining clubs and organizations help you to meet new people and give you the opportunity to take leadership positions. The college experience is what you make it. If you put yourself out there and make a lot of friends, college will be the best time of your life. Not only are you making friends, but you are networking without knowing it. The people you meet in college could help you get a job later down the road. The transition can be stressful so just take one day at a time. The most important part is taking responsibility and managing your time. Attending class and keeping up with your work load will significantly reduce your stress level. Don't get caught up in the new found freedom and forget why you are at school. The most important aspect of college is getting an education and preparing yourself for the real world. Your parents aren't there to hold your hand anymore so it is up to you to make something of yourself. Stay focused, have fun and enjoy the best four years of your life.

Wouldn't that be the silver lining? To go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior - What an experience that would be! So many things to say, so much advice to pass on to myself! I would begin by scolding myself for thinking I could just breeze through college without devoting the time to my studies as I should! I guess that's the problem when you never really learned how to study in the first place! My first semester at Shippensburg was very different than anything I had experienced as a high school student, and even as a college student at my local community college. I would then remind myself the importance of putting my life into perspective and laying out my priorities - that would have been VERY beneficial from the beginning. Finally, I guess one of the most important pieces of advice I could ever give myself would be to take every moment for granted. Those years on a college campus are the greatest years of your life and I would give anything to be able to go back in time and relive every lesson learned the hard way...every memory...every moment!

I would advise myself to dedicate more time to the process of selecting a college. Do the research, figure out what you want, and then visit the schools you like. In addition, don't stress out over the transition, just let it happen. College isn't an impossible next step, your freshman year will be a nice introduction to how things work at this level. Whatever you do, ask for help when needed and dedicate yourself to classes, friends, and extracurriculars. Partying isn't a necessity to fit in either!!!!

To stay more focused on work. Be more stuctured and have fun. Dont get to stressed out over the little things, and just work very hard to accomplish what you want. Eveything that you need is at your disposal. So use the schools resources more, they are great.

Now that I have a greater perspective on the college transition process, I would tell my "high school senior self" one thing and one thing alone: "Don't get so caught up in school that the amazing future you're striving for is paid for in the present." College life is directed towards graduation, and naturally so. That being said, I found myself getting so worked up over the subtlties and how they might negatively affect me in the pursuit for higher education and careers in the future, that I forgot to develop one of the most important parts of education; the integration/development of academic knowledge in defining you as a person. I would tell my "past self" to slow down and really focus on what gaining an education means to him, personally. I would tell him to really strive to comprehend the knowledge gained in school, instead of absorbing and then releasing. The subsequent internships/first jobs/first careers become so much more accessible when your employer sees you as an individual who has taken the time to appreciate, and as a result, perform expertly, the information he is being paid to apply.

Don't go to a school like Shippensburg, it's in the middle of no where, there is nothing to do. If you don't have enough willpower to avoid drinking on weeknights with all the peer pressure, go to a different school. Unfortunately, many schools do not crack down on underage drinking, this is one of those schools. It smells like cow feces most of the year and it's cold and windy the rest.

I would definitely let them know that it's important to study up on what you or your child enjoys because it's important you feel comfortable at college.

Just pick which school feels right. Don't go somewhere just because your friends are or because other people want you to.

Live and Learn. I would suggest going to stay a few nights at different college and attend a few classes to see which type of school fits you,as the student, the best.

I would tell students entering college that finding the right college will not be easy, but you will know it when you have found it. Also, when you do choose a school that you feel is "the school for you", don't assume that things will be perfect right away. Just because you are at the school that you want to be at, that doesn't mean you won't have trouble. There will still be feelings of anxiety or homesickness. I went through it myself. There may be times that you feel you made the wrong choice. So my best advice would be to enjoy college the best you can. Find that balance between studying and social life. Yes, you will be faced with challenges that you have never faced before and and yes, there will be the times when you just want to go home, but enjoy it. You must study and must work hard, but you also have to make time to have fun. That is the only way you will ever get the most out of your college experience.

My best advice to parents and their students is to look at all schools located around you and never to be stuck on one. Check out different schools; ask questions; examine the courses; and see the types of people who attend. Keep your options open to new things during your adventure to finding the perfect college. One should find the campus they feel most comfortable at and find the people they feel most comfortable around. If you find one you like, do not obsess over it - keep it in mind and keep looking. You need a place where you can start to be educated for the career that will be the rest of your life.

My advice would be to make sure you have good time mamangement skills. If you want to have a great social life and a great academic life it is best to balance these to. Make sure to have all your school work done before you go out to get the best college experience. Also, when looking for a college make sure they have a program they are interested in and that you feel comfortable at the school. Ultimately, it is your decision on where you go, not anyone elses -- don't let them decide for you. Also, I would reccomment eating in the dining hall to test out the food and get a feel for the student population before attending the school.

Parents: Don't force your kids to choose what you want. You need to let them grow up and make their own decisions. Only give them advice, don't force your choice on them. Students: Even though in the end, where you go to school is your choice, listen to your parents advice and consider it. This is a hard time for them as well. With that said, never let them force you to go to school where they want you too. Remember, choose wisely, this is the place where you will live, love, and learn for the next four years. I made the wrong choice, make sure you make the right one.

Students: Do not let your parents sway your decision. You will have to live, learn, and attend this school for four years. It is your choice. Parents: Give your students your opinion, but dont push them in any direction. In the end, where they attend school is their decision. Ask questions that are your concern, like Question about Financial. Otherwise, hang back and let your student take the reigns.

Please take a tour of the school in the winter. The campus might feel and look nice in the spring and fall but winter is very different. Also, if possible, try to spend a night there and talk to different types of students. Sitting in on a class or two of different sizes is also a good option. All in all make sure that the choice you make it what is best for the student. They are the one's that are going to have to live and be successful there.

Students need to first take into consideration their own unique personalities. Does the student enjoy large social gatherings, or do they prefer smaller, quieter situations? This will narrow the choice down to a specific campus size, because an individual who does not enjoy large social gatherings will not be happy in a school where they are only considered a number. Next, if the student has an idea of what area they would like to study, even if they do not know the exact major, be sure to find a school which is pronounced in that area. This could be sciences, education, or business, and so on. Finally, tour the campus, talk to the faculty, and students who attend, and get their opinions. To gain the most from the college experience students should be sure to communicate with professors. Professors are only there to help the students learn, and not enough students take advantage of the knowledge which professors have to offer outside of class. You can learn a great deal from friends as well. Students should be open to meeting new people. You can make friends that will last a lifetime in the few years you are in college.

Sometimes the places where you think you would fit in the most and have the best times of you life are not the places you expect them to be. And the same goes for places that you could never in a million years picture yourself being at. The school that I am at now was on the bottom of my list and if I had to go back in time and reapply to schools it would definately be on the top. College is about making new friends, making mistakes, learning new things, having fun, and being independent. It sounds so cliche but college truly is what you make it.

Apply to and visit a lot of schools, you never know where you'll end up going.

I would tell parents and students to first find a college where the student feels the most comfortable. If the school is fantastic but the student feels like they do not belong, he/she will have a difficult time. Second, talk to your financial aid advisor, he or she can have extremely valueble information. Third, don't be afraid to try new things, college is all about finding a niche and an academic passion, go out with friends, join clubs and pursue your interests. Lastly, find a subject you love to study and make it into a career. Professors can be amazing reources to help you in your future. They can open doors to network, graduate schools and research opportunities.

I would tell them to go to school open minded and to avoid any situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. Make sure you pick a college that fits you because if you aren't happy there your grades will show it. Make sure you do what you feel is best for yourself. College is a time to not only better your education, but a time to better yourself. You should not have to change who you are because, unlike high school, there is a variety of people who will accept you for you.

You must visit the college you are applying to. Make sure you speak with different professors and students and even office people. Do not assume the opinion of one student and one professor will be the opinion of the entire campus. Go to a class, eat in the dining hall, not just one, see the dorm rooms in a few different dorm buildings and get as much financial aid information from the financial aid department while you are visiting. Do not assume that what you see and hear on the internet about your school is the absolute truth. Get the truth for yourself.

Let the students choose where they want to go. College is as much about self-expression and exploration as it is about academia.

My advice to students and parents is to search for what makes you happy. For most people it takes time to find what makes you happy and often the process of elimination is necessary. If you are not enjoying the major you choose, or the college you are attending, you should switch. Do not feel like you have to sign a four year contract when you choose your college or major. Take a variety of classes and become involved on campus, this will help you gain valuable life skills. As a young mother of two children, I will tell them when they grow older; to search for what makes you happy, even if it takes time. I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Henry Ford: ?Even a mistake may turn out to be the one thing necessary to a worthwhile achievement.?

I have been on college tours and have visited many different colleges. I honestly believe that you will never know which college is right for you unless you attend the college for at least a semester. When visiting colleges or universities, it is their job to make you feel like you are welcomed or involved, but you will never know unless you are actually a student. Also, if you know what you plan to do in your lifetime, choose the school that best suites your major. As far as, making the most of your college experience, it is your choice. My only suggestion is to make sure that you manage your time and focus on the main reason that you are there. At times, students get so tied up in doing other things that they tend to lose focus on why they are there in the first place. Education is first, everything else follows that!

Get out there and do the research. Visit the schools and actually talk to the students to find out which school is right for them.

Look hard

Make some great friends and create lots of great memories with them!

do whatever you feel is right, go with your gut instinct, and if it doesnt work out, you can always do something else. the possibilities are endless :)

There are a few important ideas to note when choosing a proper college. The key is the size of the classrooms. I am a student who came from an average sized high school, so the aspect of smaller classrooms, where the teachers and students were familiar with eachother, greatly apealed to me. Another aspect when searching for a college is the location in the town. This is where parents and college applicants should look into activities in the town, and traveling to restaurants and other activities. Parents and applicants should consider if the student has a car, and where they would be interested in hanging out. Being without a car for three years at my university was difficult because even chain restaurants are a drive away. To make the most, you chose the best by the distance from home, size and shape of the campus, and the mere college that pertains to your major the best. Truly, the best advice is that college is what you make of it. With great friends, and a strong drive, everyoine can easily enjoy their college experience.

Make sure that the student has an idea or knows what they want to do with their life. Then determine what kind of schools are realistic choices based on: their ability to meet the students career goals, finances, grades, location etc. Go and visit some of your top picks and then really think about what you want to get out of the "college experience". If there was a particular institution that stood out in your mind that feels like you can be successful there, then that is the one. It never hurts to ask friends or people that you know that attended school at a particular institution, however, it is essential to remember that it's one person's opinion, you need to make your own decision that is not based off of someone's biased view.

Research where you plan to attend...and have an open mind when you do get there that will help to make the most out of any situation...just have fun and dont let yourself be held down.

To the parents: your son or daughter should be the one who is finding the college of their choice since it is their career they are working for, not yours. Parents should be supportive in what their children want for themselves. To the students: it is a good idea to look around at a number of colleges. Don't simply go to a college because your friends from high school are going there or others you know are headed there. Chances are that you'll make many new friends anyway. Pick a college that will really help you with your career and worry about social activities later. There will be plenty of those at any college anyway. Don't be afraid of changing your career path either since many students change majors atleast once during college. Good luck.

Visit a wide variety of schools, talk to students and never go in undeclared. pick a general field that you like, so at least you are working towards the general course requirements of your degree

When searching for the "right college", do your best to truly "look" into the university of interest. Talk to professors, varying aged students, local residents, athletes, etc. Do not just go by the orientation tour. Do your homework; this will be the place where you grow, learn, and become an adult. Sure you can transfer, but finding your niche in not only a university of interest but it's local community and nearby networks will provide lifelong friends, sustainable accountability partners, and bountiful opportunities.

Take your time. Don't rush the choice. Look around at other school, and be sure that this school is the one you want to attend. Remember that the major you pick to start may not be the one you finish with, and that is ok.

Find a campus where you feel like you will fit in. By participating in a sport I was able to join a large group that automatically became my close friends just because of how much time we spend training together. Get involved in anything and everything you are able to.

The best advice I can give to students is to find a school that feels like home. You are going to be there for four years and make friends you will have for the rest of your life so you have to like being there. Liking the atmosphere is key to doing your work and doing it well. If you hate being at school your going to hate classes and it will give you a negative outlook on the entire idea behind higher education. Choosing a school based on a major you think you like is foolish because chances are you will change your mind on what you want to do as you are exposed to more ideas and information with in basic classes. Choose based on your over all experience on the visit; pull aside real students walking around and ask them a few questions. Tour guides are going to give you what you want to hear and not the way things really are.

Take your time and choose a place that is right for you. You dont want to commit to a place that you are not going to be happy at. you aslo want to make sure that the place that you choose can meet your needs academically and that you wont have a hard time getting classes or finding help around campus.

My first suggestion would be definately check out your top choices, nothing will help you choose more than visiting the campus and seeing what it's all about! Also look for your major and extra curricular activities you would want to participate in, because you will meet a lot more people that way.

I would advise them to look for colleges that fit their personalities. Alot of different schools offer the same degrees its about finding what kind of school fits them. There are religous schools, party schools, and ohter schools like online classes that you can get a major out of. The biggest thing about college that I have found is the friends I have made. I recomend go to college and make friends and

VISIT IT! Take a tour of all the colleges youre applying to. Don't be afraid to ask students questions. They go there- they have the answers.

I would tell parents and students to go visit the college campus before making the decision. It's really important for the student to have a since of comfort and safety to the place where they will be for the next 4 years. And parents also want to have that comfort and safety for their child.Being comfortable on campus is a huge thing because as a college student you'll go through many things that you have never experienced before and things that your parents can't get you out of. To make to the most out of the college experience be yourself.There are many different types of people of campus so dont worry you'll find your place and group friends.College is when you start to become an adult so take advantage of the opportunities on being on your own.

The most important thing is to find a school that suits your needs and wants. Talk to students, etc. and research what the school offers. Although schools offer so many majors, make sure that your choice in schools fits into the category as being known for an accelerated program in your field of study. My deciding factor was that Shippensburg runs the wing-t in football and produces great teachers to boot. I have been waiting my whole life to do better than some of my friends and family members and feel that getting a teaching certificate from Ship will help send me in that direction.

The advice that I would give is to chose the college that the student feels most comfortable with.

I would say to them that college is the best experience of your life and to waste your time worrying about the future until your junior year and to make sure your happy at the school your at.

Find somewhere that not only seems fun socially, but acceptable academically. Try and look at the long term picture when choosing your school, because as soon as your admitted and start making new friends, the next two/four years of your life are going to go by very fast. It isn't always bad wanting to have fun with your college buddies, but take into consideration why you are at that school, and what choices would be positive and negative to make.

I would take tours on campus to make sure that you feel comfortable with the area... and I would talk to the students already there about their experience.

I would tell college students to relax. People have a tendency to stress about things. Are my grades going to be good enough? Will I be able to find a job? Will I get scholarships? Will the sports team accept me? All these things are important, but you'll do better if you're not tense all the time. Cliche as it sounds, college really is some of the best years of your life, and you'll get more out of it if you're not stressing all the time.

Take your time. Know what is important to you when choosing a school. Visit many colleges. Apply early. Never underestimate the cost of tuition.