Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Top Questions

I would suggest that you should chose the school that feels right to you. If you visit a school and can not get it off your mind and you feel like it is right but can not explain the reason then you should chose it. Do not chose a school because your friend is going there and do not room with your best friend because it usually does not work out. Also look for a school that is very qualified in your major, you are going to college to earn a degree and further your knowledge not to have fun and blow off your parent's money. Budget well for any expenses, those you expect and those that may be a surprise. I took all of it for granted and just hoped I was making the correct decision and I got lucky because I love my school and the friends I have made. I know I will follow my dreams and succeed in life and that is what college is about. You really have to experience it do not hold back.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself, I would try to push myself harder. I would convince myself that the transition is a difficult one and that it takes time. I would persuade myself to retake the ACT over and over until I was satisfied with my score. I would train with my cheerleading and track coaches so I would be a better athlete in college. I would tell myself that extracurricular activities are the best way to go; and not only sports but clubs as well. I think I would have tried to make the college application process easier by helping with what I know now and not then. I also would push very hard to find scholarships for my first year because I know what it feels like to almost get kicked out and to think that my dreams where being taken from me. I think if I could tell myself something in the past, I would tell me to keep pushing with harder classes so I wouldn't be so attached to easy ones and get confused when I get a harder one. I'd just want my year better.

You should never underestimate the power of friendship. Cherish the friends you have because things will be much different in college. You will make new, great friends, but you should never forget the friends who became brothers and sisters who helped you through tough times. Time flies faster than you can imagine, so don't take anything for granted. Do good things for others and love those around you unconditionally. The love you show will encourage others to do the same. Believe in your dreams, follow them and trust in yourself and your heart. Learn to love life just as it is in that moment and don't wish it to be anything other than what it is now. Treasure your family, you will miss them greatly. Do not take life for granted, as you will discover it can be taken away in an instant. Be strong, stand up for what you believe in and what you believe is right. Finally, understand the power of forgiveness and realize that we all only have one life to live, and life is too short. Live the life you love, love the life you live.

I would go back and tell myself to fill out all the scholarship applications as I could. I would also tell myself to make sure I do all of my homework and not slack at all. Also I would tell myself that college is difficult and that I have to be strong and to disipline myself.

Go to school for Journalism like you want in Chicago where there are better school and job possiblities after you graduate. Do not go to SIUC, you'll be disappointed and not get the education you deserve.

I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships. Having to worry about classes is stressful enough without having to worry about whether or not all of your bills are paid. I would also tell myself to think about what i want to study more so that i could go in more prepared.

i would tell my self to plan for classes and attented them regularly it will pay off in the future, go for what you know, study your passion dont distance your self from others.

I would tell myself to not focus on guys as much and partying and keep my head in my books. I know why I am here and that I don't need any distractions. I got side tracked before but now I am making up for it and not allowing anyone to get in my way.

Don't try to decide what to do with your life too early. Take generalized and required freshman and sophomore classes that will fit any degree. You will come across so many new ideas at college that you may want to change your major several times. If you get into a certain track too early, you will have wasted your time and spent money you'll have to pay back as well. Keep an open mind, at least for a year or so.

Stay in college as long as you can. Be more well-rounded and take a greater variety of coursework.

Faculty especially those who have tenure can pretty much do as they like. Some colleges are more geared towards students with disabilities. Be sure to realize that textbooks are more expensive than projected. The first semester, I paid over $400 for textbooks, many of which I did not even use. It was a valuable learning experience. I normally try to wait and purchase them the week before classes start so I can still get a refund if the instructor says the textbook is not really required. Try to get involved in some of the social groups. I did not do this the first year and wish I had. I did it during my second year and was able to network with others who had already completed courses I was going to have to take. They shared a lot of information with me (which instructors to take and which ones not to take, difficulty of exams, etc.). The most important thing to remember is no one is going to be forcing you to go to class. You have to learn to be responsible. The change is hard, but well worth it when you see the A you have earned.

I am fairly happy with my choices. I studied very hard and earned very good grades.

I would tell high school seniors that freshman year is the easiest year of college, but even though it is easy coursework, doesn't mean you should take it lightly. Missing classes is a big mistake because you are losing attendance points which can make the difference between getting an B then an A. In order to obtain good grades you must first take school seriously. Time management and organization are the two must important skills you need in your life. I advise that you get a planner and check it regularly. Also talking to the profressors and asking for help is always good because that is how you network and how you learn. Don't be afriad to get tutoring because it will help in the long run. Once you find out what you want to do in life, join a related organization so you can get hands on experience. Take advantage of seeing guest speakers speak especially since it is free and you can learn so much. Take risks and be open to new things. College is truly a different world and a learning experience and when you take the right chances you can definitely succeed.

The advice that I would give myself is to make sure that you make it a priority to get enough sleep and eat properly. This I have found to be a key factor in my overall academic success and overall wellbeing. Also I would tell myself to learn time management early on and not to overload myself with all sorts of activities and clubs, but to focus more on academics and close friends. The final and most important thing I would tell myself would be to not be afraid to ask questions. Talk to professors and students if you need help they are always willing and are extremely helpful!

The advice that I would give myself is to make sure you are prepared. College is no joke, be deticated, cause without it you will never succeed. Enjoy college life, it is the best few years of your life.

I will say to myself......"SELF?" don't give up on your studies. It may seem difficult at times, but you have to stick through it and give it your all. Once you finally make the grades you will look back at that journey of hard work and dedication and say to youself "I MADE IT!". Making it through high school will only drive you to want a successful college life so hang in there and NEVER give up!

If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would tell myself that the most important thing to remember during the application process is considering where YOU would like to be. I was caught up in thinking about statistics and descriptions of the campus from other people, but nothing replaces what makes you happy.

Taking longer in college. You have a lifetime to work full-time. Enjoy getting an education and friends.

Choose my major earlier and focus on my studies

I would advise myself to make a better decision in the universtiy. I want tell myself to make sure that I am attending the universtiy for the right reasons, not for a certain person that is already there!

I'd warn myself about the people I know now. I'd tell myself not to let those people get in the way of my learning. I'd promise myself not to buy the car I did or borrow any money from anyone. I'd warn myself that dating life would be hard, but worth it in the end, and I'd tell myself to be an English major from the start instead of wasting a semester doing something I didn't like.

I would tell myself that i should probably be more focused on the classes that i take during my senior year. I also would inform myself to look into more dual credit classes and summer classes to finish my degree as quickly as possible.

Make sure you visit the college first. Experiencing it for yourself is very different than hearing about it.

Make sure you do not pick the college that appeals most to you in other ways other than academically. I made a poor decision by starting off my college experience at an Art School in the city that ended up being completely worthless. If you are ever unsure of your major do not attend a speciality school unless you are completely confident in your career choice.

I would teel them to make sure that it is affordable, socially open to people who may be different, structured , and have good professors. It will also depend on the child. If a child is not strong within themseleves certain schools are not for them. For example my school was rated one of the top party schools in the nation, when students attend this school they either succed or fail. Those who are succesful usually have a sense of who they are and why they are in college. Thoes who fail usually don't have a sense of who they are.

For finding the right college I would say definately check out the campus before you make any final decisions, to get a feel for the campus. Also its ok to use facebook or even myspace to get to know current students to ask about their experiences at the university. Do as much research as possible, you dont want to go in blind. And how to make the most of your experience is easy, GET INVOVLED. It doesnt matter what you into or what you like, join a club, a sport team, or group on campus. This is a easy way to meet people with similar interests, and make new friends around campus. Go into everything with an open mind and you should come out successful.

My advice is to visit more than one school. Talk to the advisors and counslers about your career goal and have more than one major in mind because you probably will switch your major. Look at the dorms and make sure the living conditions and rules are up to your standard. Also, consider the traveling distance from school to your home.

That finding the right college, is overly important, not just to your eduaction, but your lively hood as a whole. College dictates what kind of person you will be in your adulthood, which makes the descion of finding the right school even more important. Also, college is only four years, the bridge between adulthood, live it up have fun, but don't forget the reason you are their, to continue your eduaction.

Make sure you go to class, no matter what, unless you are sick and make arrangements for makeup work with your professors. And go out and meet people. The place where I met like half of my friends was at the dining hall, just by saying Hi to the person at the table next to you or next to you in line.

Don't choose a major just based on how much money you can make, how practical it is, or how many job opportunities are available. You can't be the best in your field if you don't love what you do. So major in something that you're passionate about. Also, if you have the opportunity to study abroad, take it. It's life-changing. As for money issues, keep applying for scholarships, and try to avoid taking out private student loans. Even if financial aid always covered your costs for the first few years, you may find that changing one day, and you'll be stuck desperately trying to find a way to pay for your education. Keep trying. Scholarships can be a major help if you win them, but you can't win them if you don't search and apply.

In my experience one of the things that would have helped me out more would have been to explore other campuses to see if the one I had choosen was the right college for me. Even if you have decided on one particular college there is still no reason that you cant go tour other schools just to get a feel for things. Another thing would be to ask questions. No matter what it may be always ask question no matter how stupid or dumb you may think they are dont hesitate. You may find out something you had not known before. After you have started college, get out and meet new people, get involved in volunteer work and school activites and you will make the most out of your college experience.

Look at all of your options, don't choose a school based on which of your friends are going there or the condition of the dorms. Research the employment rates of graduates from the college you're interested in, take a campus tour, talk to students who attend. The best place to find out about a collge or university is to go there and talk to the students.

The advice I would give parents and students about finding the right college would be to find a place that is both known for the program you want to be in and likable to you. You want to go somewhere where you will get the best education in your field, but you want to be comfortable in that place, too. If you enjoy a smaller campus and want to be a cinematography major, then pick a smaller university that is known for that field. Be aware of how you feel about the campus. Parents, do not send your child somewhere they do not want to go just because that is where you want to send them. These years are important ones. They need to be where they will get the most out of the experience.

Look around a lot and find a school that fits you best. It is nice to go to a school that your friends go to, but you WILL make new friends in college so dont let that be you deciding factor. Apply for FAFSA and scholarships as soon as possible and do not procrastinate. Lastly don't let your high school GPA or ACT scores get you down if they were not as high as you hoped. I personally had 2.8 GPA in high school and have now made the deans list every year in college!

The college experience should at some time or another be a part of every person's life. As a senior, my best advice for incoming freshmen is to apply for any and all scholarships which are available to you, live in the dorms, and remember to enjoy everything going on around you. It only happens once!

One of the most important parts of finding the right school is finding the location and set up that is right for that particular person. Some major things that need to be taken into consideration are the distance from home, the size of the school, and its academic reputation in the field of their choice. Another thing to take into consideration is whether or not the student is ready. I personally went to a community college for two years to get a lot of my general education classes out of the way. For some people, that can be the best route, as it was for me. I was able to get a feel for college classes without being far from home. Now, I go to school five and a half hours from home and I love it there. I don't think I would have been ready to take that leap right after high school and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. It all depends on the student. As long as they are comfortable and are able to go at their own pace, they'll be able to make the most of their experience in college.

The biggest piece of advice I would give is to try and visit the campus before you decide to go anywhere. Especially try and go while there is students their to get an idea of the people attending the college. Once your at college though it is up to you to make the best of your experience. Make friends, go out, and have fun. But of course don't forget about your coursework. College is only as hard or boring as you make it.

I would say to make sure you choose the correct college that's best for you. Don't choose a college because your parents went there and they are forcing you to go. It is your choice and it's your education. Make sure you stay focused and try not to let anything or anyone get in the way of your education. If you are struggling do not wait until the last minute to get help. Seek help as soon as you realize that you are struggling. You don't want to put it off because it will be too late. Get involved in any and everything there is out there. College is a once in a life time opportunity. Make the best of it and enjoy it. But make sure you remember the number one reason you are there. And that is to get the best education you possibly can.

Do a lot of research on several colleges and talk to people who have previously attended those schools to find out what the situation was like

One thing is to make sure you ask questions and make sure you evauluate everything. Know that your not looking for a colege to party at or a college with a well known school, but a school that will help you recieve your degree in 4 years. Talk to your perspective department chairman and see what they will offer you for your sucess and future.

Don't pick a college just because of how others veiw it and will think of you if you attend it. You can go to the most highly valued school in the country and be miserable because it's not the right fit for you. What you get out of school does not depend so much on where you go as what you make of it.

College is a time when many young adults step out on their on for the first time. The time they spend there is more than just for career training, but for discovering their interests, and for valuable life experiences. When searching for a college, its important to keep in mind the student as a whole. A solid academic curriculum is indispensable. However, I would urge you to look for a school that will also offer you a diverse environment that fosters cultural awareness and personal growth. When you arrive, become aware of all the learning resources available to you. They wonCollege is a time when many young adults step out on their on for the first time. The time they spend there is more than just for career training, but for discovering their interests, and for valuable life experiences. When searching for a college, its important to keep in mind the student as a whole. A solid academic curriculum is indispensable. However, I would urge you to look for a school that will also offer you a diverse environment that fosters cultural awareness and personal growth. When you arrive, become aware of all the learning resources available to you. They won?t just be in the classroom, but in the people around you, as well. Allow yourself to be challenged by change, and be open to the unexpected. You just may find your true calling that way. Take more than just a degree away from your time at college. Take with you a better understanding of yourself, your neighbor, and the many possibilities open to you.

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My best advice to parents and students who are trying to find a school would be to visit every school you are serious about on a regular weekday when students are out on campus. I found it easier to invision myself as a student better when I took time to walk around on campus and go to local cafe's and resturants, rather than when I went on guieded tours. It all may seem scary or daunting at first but after a few campus visits you start to realize what is really important for you to have in order to be a happy successful student. As far as making the best out of your college experiance you have to realize that college is whatever you make it. If you can apply yourself and have the motivation and self discipline to make the right social and academic choices for who you are then you will be happy and successful!

In choosing college, the student should be the one choosing the place they want to be. Visit colleges and see how they make you feel, by that I mean, when you get to the town does it inspire you? Does it seem like a place you could spend the next four years? Does it have areas of study you are interested in? How do the people make you feel? Also if you and your family can afford the school even with the help of on campus working. Do what your heart tells you not your parents, talk to people and take advantage of all the help you can.

Make sure you talk to people that attend the school and get real accounts from them. it helps a lot. also find out about on campus resources and financial help. there are a lot of things that you don't know that can be learned if you ask.

The best advice I have after completing three semesters at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, would be that you should never rush. Do not rush when deciding what school to attend. Take your time to visit your choices and compare not only the atmosphere, but also how the students act and how well they do in school. Do not rush when choosing your major either. It is okay to not know what you want to do with the rest of your life when you first start school. That is why you are there, to figure that out.

Be prepared to work toward your goals. Also allow yourself to cut loose and have fun while doing it.

With being a waiter while down at school I am asked this question a lot by visiting parents and kids wanting to get an idea what it is like. My advice is this. First, go to college because you want to and not because someone else is pushing you to. If you want to take a year off and travel or anything else to figure it all out, do it. When, and if, you decide go, pick a college that meets what you want to get out of college. Does it have a good program for what you want to do? Is the surronding area someplace you would like to live at for the next few years of your life? Does it offer what you want? Once you go to college, get involved in student organizations, it's a great way to meet new people and enriches your college experience overall. When it comes to drinking and the party life, be yourself, don't let anyone pressure you to do something you don't want to. Any college can be a party school, it is all what you make of it, just remember, moderation is the way to go, thanks.

To parents, I would tell them that where their child wants to attend college is the student's choice and not the choice of the parents. However, if parents cannot afford their student's choice of school, the student needs to find a way to afford it. To students, I would tell them to go where they think they will be happiest, while recieving the best education that pertains to their major. If a place is excellent for your major but you can tell you wont like it there, look more into your next choice. I think it's better to be happy and to be your personal best rather than be the best of a statistic. So really, the best way to make the most of your college experience is to to what makes you happy. =)