Southeast Missouri State University Top Questions

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

Molly

Before you go to college, it is cruical you get good at speed reading. This will cut your time you spend on assignments nearly in half. Practice on books and scholarly written articles that you find interesting. Also, work on organizational and planning skills. Master of the art of writing; this skill can take you very far within any aspect of your life and you will earn more respect from colleagues.

Eriin

If I knew what I know now when I was in high school I would tell myself to stay true to who you are and work hard to accomplish the goals you want to complete. College life comes with a whole new world of possibilities and choices that a student has to make on their own. It can be difficult for some students to learn to control their decisions without the guidance they once had from their parents. Although it is sad, I have seen some classmates from high school who could have had the world at their fingertips throw it all away to drinking or drugs and not focusing on school. Finding out who you are and staying true to yourself is the best way to accomplish your goals. My dad always tells me, "The decisions you make determine the life you lead." When I was younger, I sort of just shrugged off this advice. Now I see that he is right and that every decision you make, no matter how small, will have an impact on what you do and who you are. Remember that every decision you make impacts your life and to think before you act.

Rachael

I would tell myself to make more friends outside of my roommates and they're friends.

Brittney

I would tell myself to focus a lot more on academics and less on being well-rounded and i would tell myself that I should prepare for test a lot better.

Angel

Plan out exactly what you want to do. Fill out financial aid!!! Give your child something that will help them progress in the future and not what's best for you. They will only do as good as they want and no one else. Plan plan plan... or u will regret it. Put them on campus to help them enteract with the other students and find lifetime friendship! A suuport system is the best policy to help you through collefe.

Sarah

When choosing a college, you must always keep your needs in mind. If you need small classes, quiet study areas and dorm rooms without a lot of activity, a large university may not be the place for you. If you like a high-pace, lots of fun college where the main focus is to just wait out the week for the weekend to come, a major university will probably suit your style better. Any school you attend will have a choice of classes and many varieties of students, so you should not base your choice solely on the physical aspects of the college.

Nicole

The ultimate decision comes down to the student. Its a matter of where you feel comfortable, welcome, and have a sense of belonging. Prestige and reputation of schools might be impressive to some people, but really getting a lot out of the school you go to (in both academics and socially) is much more impressive, and will show much more in your developed personality and sense of self.

Kelley

College really is the best years of your life. Make sure you do a lot of research and find the college that best suites you and your interests. Going away to college is really a great experience and helps you grow up and become independent. Make sure you get involved! It is a great way to meet new people, stay busy, and adjust to college life more quickly. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Professors and faculty are more than happy to help you with whatever you need. Explore your options and take a variety of classes. This will help you find the right path for you in life. It is ok to change your major how every many times you need to. It is important that you like what you are going to be doing and it makes you happy. Your college experience is what you make it, so get involved and meet lots of people. It's ok to be nervous, but it's really great! Good luck and enjoy!

David

You need to know what kind of atmosphere your looking for and when you find that you need to find the right group of friends for you. Your friends will be the main thing that will make your college experience good or bad. So, if you find the right group of friends you will be totally fine and fall in love with that college you chose.

Casey

Don't Stress! In the end, You will be happy with whatever you decide on and even if your not you can always transfer. Dont be afraid to say your not happy where you are. The major factors that I focused on were size, environment, faculty, cost, and student body. And parents, greek societies are not what you think they are. They are not the stereotypical 'drinking clubs'. At SEMO, my fraternity is a resource for meeting people with the same interests and hobbies of mine, and an outlet to meet friends that I will have for the rest of my life. Parents should stand behind their college students looking at greek organizations., atleast check it out and give it a chance. In the end, as a freshman, just dont be afraid to ask questions. People understand that you are new and getting settled in, and older students have all been freshmen at one point and have been in the same position you are in now. College is for getting a higher education in order to get a good career, but also to meet lifelong friends and find who you are, oh yea and dont forget to have fun!

Katie

Try new things. Get out of your dorm room. Go to college where you can actually see your self living for 4 years.

Britney

Finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is not as stressful as it may seem. The most important thing to remember when trying to find the right college for you is looking for the best match to your lifestyle and your interests. The long search will pay off in the end if you keep that in mind. To make the most of the college experience you must remember to get out there and make new friends. Get involved in an extracurricular activity or an on campus job. This will enable you to see new prespectives and broaden your mind. Also, be sure to do what makes you, and only you, happy no matter what. The college experience is unlike any other so head into it with an open mind and be sure to enjoy your life.

Elizabeth

Make sure its a place you can feel comfortable in and not feel totally out of place. At first it is werid and strange, but you'll get used to it and hopefully end up loving it.

Courtney

Take toursand talk to students who are currently attending each university. Think about what you want to do with your life and career and search universities based on academic highlights. Assess yourself: what you like, who you are comfortable with, where you are comfortable, interests and pick a university accordingly. Do not let others influence where you will attend. Of course take opinions and ask others of experiences, but go where you truly want to go. Don't let parents choose what university you will attend. Get involved!! Do something besides going to class; whether it be a job, extra curriculars, intramural sports, student government etc. I have seen many college students in their first semester do nothing but go to class and become depressed. Involvment makes students feel that the university is THEIR school and they belong there. Balance between academics, work, and socializing. It is extremely important to take your studies seriously because college determines where will you be and what you will be doing in the next four or so years. However, it is also important to take and break and have fun because without fun, you will burn out quickly. Keep healthy.

Linda

Make sure it is what the student wants.

Gina

Students who are searching for the right college need to start the search early. I did not start my search until late in my senior year of high school. I also was closed minded about where to go to school., but that was a horrible idea. Lastly, research how much financial aid the school offers.

Ellen

I would advise them to relax. Choosing a college can be very succesfull and there are many schools for each one of us. Finding the right college takes research and visits, but don't be scared to make a decision. There are lots of schools for every student out there and if you find you made the wrong decision, you can always transfer. Just relax and enjoy the journey without the stress that can sometimes overwhelm you and scare you out of a decision that you might later regret.

Jessica

The college experience is a great way to find yourself.

Emily

When it comes to chosing a college, I would not look in your home town. You should get out and see the world; you need to get away from your parents protection and do things for yourself. My advice is to go to a college that is far enought away so you can't live at home, but not too far away so you can still go home for breaks without having to spend a fortune. I would also recommend finding a liberal educatin college. This will allow you to learn a little bit about everything, making you a well rounded person and more employable. Small class sizes are another thing to look for; its hard for your professor to learn who you are and what quality of work you produce when there are hundreds of studants in your class. The biggest part of chosing a college based on your desired major. For example, if you want to be a nurse, check to see if they have a good nursing program and try to talk to a student currently in the program to see what its like. Take your time looking, apply many places, and be picky.

Carrie

College is a great experience and much more than books and classes. To the students, I would advise getting involved in school clubs and activities. It's a great way to meet new people and keep your mind off of things such as homesickness. I would also strongly advise doing research on your professors before picking out classes. The teacher is what makes a class good or bad. Ask around before choosing a particular teacher, find out which ones are best. Going off to college is tough for parents too. I would advise parents to step back and allow the student to pick the college. They are going to have to be more independent while away from home, and it's never to early to start practicing.

Amanda

I would say, first off, go with what feels right. Not every college is for you, if you like a certain one, go for it! Apply, what's the worst that can happen? Don't be afraid of rejection. College is the best experience you'll ever have. The friends, the games, the late-night study sessions, I wouldn't trade one minute of it! Being one of hundreds of other students the same age offers so many oppertunities that many of the students never had before. College is an equal playing field where you can wipe the slate clean and be who you want to be, regardless of how high school went. If you want to get a 4.0, it's possible, you just have to work for it! College is hard, granted, it's a major change but it's totally worth it. It's the most rewarding experience one could ask for, what more modivation do you need? Choosing to go to college is the easy part, you just have to choose which one!

Summer

Finding what college works for you is very important. The best thing to do is make arrangements with your interested colleges to set up tours. Taking a tour of a university gives parents and students the oppurtunity to get a good idea about the university's enviornment and it also gives them time to ask a student tour guide specific questions, like what activities the campus offers. To make the most of your college experience, you need to get involved on campus. Most universities have a wide variety of extra-curricular activities that students can participate in. Being active gives students the chance to meet new people and it's a great way for new students to set up a social network.

LaKeysha

Some advice that I would give to parents and/or students would be to make sure that you know all about the college and visit it more than once. Try to get to know some students that already attend the college and ask them questions that you might have. Also, know about the population of the school, basically don't attend a college that is to big or to small for you.

Marlie

I feel like you when know when you see the college if you will like it or not. Go visit, talk to friends, and don't go with how big the school is.

Kristopher

I would tell parents and students to ask a lot of questions to as many people as possible. Ask about eveerything from academics to extracurricular. I would tell the students to take a few chances and have some fun, so long as those chances are within reason. Be careful and don't put yourself in danger.

Amy

Decide what college you want by school size and major. If you are unsure of what you want your major to be then it would be better to pick a larger school with multiple options. Smaller schools give more personal attention. Make a list of what you find to be most important in a school and then least important and base it off of that.

Annie

Don't put off finding the right school. If you want to attend college, start in high school during your junior year or earlier. Going to college is a very big step, and can be very costly, so being prepared early helps. Don't focus on one school, but look around and talk to others that have attended college. Go somewhere that not only has a strong department in what you want to do, but also has an environment that suits you, on campus and off. The college you choose will make you the person you want to be later in life. You will develop your career, meet new people, create new friends, and open your mind to new things you never dreamed!

Melissa

I personally chose Southeast University because I wanted a school that had a low student to teacher ratio. So if you prefer to be called by name and not a random number and to be given personal attention, then I truly, 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} believe that Southeast University would be the perfect school for you.

Rebecca

I would advise anyone planning on attending college to choose a school that offers a variety of degree options. Students tend to think they know exactly what they want to do until they get there and have their first classes in the chosen major. Some stick to their guns and push through, while others choose a different path again and again until they find the right fit. I was among the students who weren?t positive which path was right for me and can only tell you that your best bet is to find a school the offers a multiplicity of opportunities. While you?re using this trial and error process to find your place, stay involved with campus activities, even just floor activities. I know it would have been a much harder journey in my college experience thus far if I wouldn?t have had the support and encouragement of the wonderful friends I have made here at Southeast. Most importantly, have faith in yourself. You CAN do it! In the words of Herman Cain, ?Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

Osby

I would say that looking for a college that has classes and degree opportunities in the field that the student is most interested in is a major advantage. The student would then have to opportunity to find out if that's what they want to do for the rest of their life. Another major advantage in looking for the right college is financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Some schools have better opportunities than others for scholarships. As far as making the most out of a student's college experience, I would have to say that getting involved in school activities and clubs is one of the most important things in college. Clubs let you not only make new and intersting friends, but also lets you learn many new and interesting things outside of the classroom.

Marcus

The best advice to give to parents and students is to choose a college not on looks or by name, but rather by its programs. Sometimes some of the least known campuses have the best programs, faculty and staff that a student could ask for. Also, if you are given a scholarship that covers for most of your college expenses, go for it, but make sure that it is a worthwhile program that you are interested in. Don't simply go to a college such as Harvard just to impress people, but go there for the content in it.

Damian

Make sure the college has the students major and for the student, just go to class.

Matthew

You have to look at all factors, acedemic standing, sports (if the student is going to be playing on the official team) and campus life (quality of students and activities).

Carrie

Be patient in your choices, do not pick a school because of the look or feel of the campus. Take the time to walk around, and do your research on the campus. Make sure you look into the activities that go on around school, and see what you would be interested in and make the final decision baised on how comfortable you feel at the school.

Ashley

Rather than give advice, I wish to share my own experience. Exactly one decade ago, I stepped into the free world of college student. I made one wrong turn after another from that point on. I became deeply self destructive for many years and was not able to stay focused on what was important. I had quickly found myself living the empty life of a "partying girl". At 22, I had become a homeless, pregnant college drop out. From here, I began to make all of the changes necessary to become a whole person who had something to offer to the world. I had a long road ahead of me. This month I am celebrating my son's 5th birthday, along with my third year in sobriety. I also am beginning my second year at SEMO with nothing but straight A's under my belt. I am slowly excavating the talented artist that had been buried in fear for so long. I am beginning to believe in my abilities. My advice to all new students is to seek a rich college experience and leave the cheap thrills on the wayside. Within my education, the journey has truly become the destination.

Juliana

Make sure and find a college that you can stand to be a for your duration of school. Don't settle for the places where your friends, parents, or anyone else is going or has gone. Just make sure the school you go to has a variety of options available for you in food, learning resources, sports, and social functions both on campus and in the surrounding area. Most of all find a place where you can have fun and be yourself.

Danny

Find a college that has diversity in the students as well as the faculty. It is so much easier to learn about different subjects and aspects of life from different ethnicites. Find a college that offers an exchange program because learning from foreign students is the most enlightening thing I have experienced at college. Make sure you feel comfortable in the library because you should spend most of your time there. Check out the recreational facilites for a wide range of physical activities to stay in shape and just take a break from studying. Make sure you park in the right parking lot and ride a bike to class whenever possible. Use your class study session! Ask questions. And most importantly, don't just make friends, but make the RIGHT friends. Find people who like to study as much as they like to go out and have a good time.

Joy

Attend a school that offers alot of finicial Aid, that is a well known school and a place that is very diverse in people, culture, and diversity.

Keri

The most important advice that I wish someone had told me when I first began college, is to just take everything in one class at a time, then one semester at a time, next one year at a time. I thought I would never finish school, but here I am, in the beginning of my senior year! It all pays off in the end!!

Jennifer

Visit the campuses more than one time, you need more than just a first impression.

Andrew

Well, especially in the case for Southeast, or any colllege for that matter, you must look past what is being said in 'Show-me' days at the college. Take time to explore the college yourself, immersing into life on campus. Stop a sutdent on the way to a class, be polite and ask "how is life on campus," or any question that seems pertainable to your situation. Don't just take the face value of any school, because obviously any school will only show you the good, and tend to shy away from potential flaws.

Teri

I would encourage anyone to get involved; starting from the very beginning. This includes parents and students getting involved during the enrollment process, getting to know people at the university, and finding out everything that is available. Becoming involved from the very start will make one more aware of the college and life it has to offer, which will ultimately help one decide if it truely is the place for a student and family. The advice extends all the way through college and beyond graduation. Become involved with as much as can be handled, and as much as there is available in your interest and having to do with your major. Then stay involved in order to gain the benefits that the university has to offer.

Linda

The most important piece of advice would be to understand your circumstances and plan ahead. I am the first person in my family to go to college, so I didn't know what to expect as far as financial aid, orientation, course work and exactly how the higher education system works. Also, being a nontraditional student I didn't have a guidance counselor who could explain to me how it all works. Had I been more prepared, I know the first year of college would have been much easier to get through.