Southern Oregon University Top Questions

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

Lucero

Make sure they preview the college first that way they can get a feel for what kind of environment they will be in. Preview classes and watch teachers teach without making an appointment that way they don't knowingly put on a show for you. Take a look at the food... Have an open mind and prepare yourself to be exposed to new ideas, people, way of thinking, etc. Visit the counseling center and see what kind of help is offered and the health center.

Casey

Visiting colleges should be at the top of your priorities list when deciding where to spend the next four years of your life. Touring campuses not only allows you to get a feel for a particular school, but provides the opportunity to learn about and compare services. Before your visit prepare a list of questions you have and a checklist of what you want in a school. These will help you sift through the overwhelming amount of information you are about to receive. Also, though you risk minor embarrassment, it is important to bring a parent or someone else who has been through the college experience with you on your visit. Once you arrive on campus, try to get the fullest experience possible. Take an official tour, sit in on a class, eat in the dining facilities, and explore the surrounding community. Once you are in college, take advantage of free services such as tutoring and get involved immediately. Join a hall council, intra-mural sport, academic or social club. Extra-curricular activities not only open the door to internships and travel opportunities, they help you adjust quicker and make more friends. Live it up. College is an incredible experience.

Lindsey

To me, finding the right college is like buying a new pair of shoes. First, they need to be comfortable. Secondly, you need to be able to wear them with many different outfits and most of all; those shoes need to make you feel important. When deciding on a college, you first need to make sure it has your desired career and if you are undecided make sure they have many career paths that you may be interested in. Then, you need to make sure you are comfortable being that far away or close to home. Finally, you need to feel at home when you are touring the different colleges. If you choose a college that is a complete 360 from where you grew up, you may have difficulty adapting to college life after the excitement of moving out and being on your own wears off. All in all, you need to make sure the college you choose fits you like your favorite pair of shoes. That way, you will have the confidence to make new friends and become a successful college student, making you parents, the proudest parents of all.

Daniel

I would advise parents and students to consider where the parking is a round campus is. How much the parking permits cost and how safe the vehicles they drive are. Another question to consider, is the benefits that a university offers. Sometimes the benefits out weigh the down sides.

Jesse

College is not the classes you take in it. College is not economics, but you will learn how the world around you relates to your wallet. College is not about communications, but you will learn to understand and empathize with those you meet. College is not about theater, but you are sure to find love and laughs. College is not about chemistry, but it is about balancing the equation. Your college will not be its class sizes, its tuition costs, its school spirit events, its cafeteria food, or its scantron test sheets. College is learning that when you're hungry, ramen noodles taste as good as anything else; finding that a well-earned four hours of sleep after vanquishing your homework can be more satisfying than sleeping in until noon; realizing that mom and dad were basically always right; and finally, in the eleventh hour, college is the picture coming into focus. It's not about what you want to be when you grow up; it's about the time you have, the person you are and what to do with both. Or, as Mark Twain said, "never let your schooling interfere with your education."

Kaylyn

When you or your family is going through the process of finding what school would be the "right" school, start with what is important to you. Look at schools that are well known for the program of the field of study you intend to persue. Given that there are so many schools available, narrow down your choice by location, campus size, programs that you would consider minoring in. Also considering applying to schools in which some of your friends have already inrolled or intend to because it is nice to have someone you know to be nearby when you get homesick your first time away from home.

Sylvia

You should visit the campus while school is in session. Possibly sit in on a class in the field you're interested in. It would be beneficial to spend a day exploring the surrounding area. Ask all the questions you may think of even if you think they are rude or stupid. Make sure you understand the dorm situation you're about to go live in and be prepared to change roommates a few times. Make sure you have a savings account for emergencies and unexpected expenses. Make a budget or actively discuss money management with your young adult/ parents. Visit an academic advisor after your first term and start working on your graduation plan. Make sure to apply for FAFSA and other local scholarship programs as soon as they become available. Visit a financial aid advisor and discuss your funds and loans. Be really careful taking out private loans, a lot of times having a part time job is a better idea. Work during the summer and winter break! Smile a lot and be open to making friends with new people. Join a club and commit some time to socializing with productive people instead of party people. Stay safe.

Catharine

Finding the right college is one of the most important things you can do. I was not able to have someone give me advice and would have only been so lucky. I have attended four colleges since I graduated from high school. Looking back at my experience, I know it would have been nice to have someone to talk to about how to find the correct fit in a college. My first piece of advice, know what you truely want. It may change through out the course of your education, but if you are true to your self then it is easier to find what you want. My second piece of advice is do not fall short of your goals. If you are waitlisted for the college of your dreams, do not throw your dreams away, it can still happen. To make the most of your college experience, is what I have learned most of all during my transitions. The most important thing to learn, no matter how long it takes, is believe in yourself and do what is true to you. You should also have faith that no matter what is going on, some day it will be okay.

Jennifer

First of all it is best that the student find a place where he or she is comfortable to study and live. It is also very important that they look into the programs available at the college to make sure it fits the student's needs.

Ben

Keep your options open cause theres a good place for everybody

andrew

Make the decision carefully, visit the school. dont jump into a school that "looks good" go there and see for your self and get a feel for the campus.

Rachel

Whatever field you are going into, make sure to enjoy your classwork and integrate your own ideas into the learning process. Why spend thousands of dollars to attend a prestigous college miles away for a degree in something you don't enjoy when right around the corner is a school that has just as many opportunities for a career you'll actually be able to joyfully contribute to.

Timothy

I would have to say, that you should choose your college according to what you want and not just where all of your friends are going. College is an experiance in its self and you should embrace every minuite of it. I think that a students should be involved in alot of activites, rather it be joining the football team or just going to the games. Your college experiance will change your life. College is where you grow into a contributing member of soceity and i think if you embrace the experiance it will be alot easier for you to overcome. I also think that when parents take their children on tours of colleges, they should be open minded to different options. Each student has different assets that they can contribute to a school, its just a matter of finding the right school.

Brittany

Make sure both the parent(s) and student(s) start looking at colleges early. The saying, "the earlier, the better" is true when it comes to college. That goes the same for scholarships since college fees are steady increasing at least two-three grand each year therefore the more money for scholarships, the less both parties will have to go into debt. Extracurriculars are okay but students should take their studies seriously; having their essay writing skills polished and SAT/ACT preparation courses done once they become eligible to apply for scholarships as well as search for what they want to study once they get to college. Scholarships for undeclared majors are slim so have an ideal, research it, and get an internship or at least get some hands-on experience before going to college. Afterwards, both student(s) and parent(s) look, pick, and visit together at least five schools to choose from that will most benefit you pocketwise and maintain a balance in your student(s) studies, social life, and their involvement in student activities as well as look into studying aboard (doing this before college is prefered) for graduate school to make the best college experience great.

Caleb

When looking for the right school one should look for the best school in their field. Don't focus on things like "It's Princeton, that'll look good on your resume!" look for the reputation of the department you want to study. How many graduates are successful at working in the field they studied. This is the most important aspect of college research.

August

Make sure you visit the school before deciding.

Leah

Finding the right school is about making sure it has the programs you are interested in. It should be in the right sized town for you. Having access to buy food and transportation is great. Being in a location that is stimulating and soothing and provides extra curricular activities. The professors should be helpful and engaging. The student body should be diverse and a good size.

Alicia

Make sure to visit the campus, talk to the advisors/faculty and explore the campus life a little bit. There is no way to tell if you like a university by sitting at home looking at a computer screen. Get out there and explore a little bit! It's well worth it in the end because when you are happy, you tend to do better in your classes and be more satisfied with your experience.

Heather

When choosing the right college it is important to keep in mind how you learn the best. Do you need individualized attention with professors or do you prefer to get lost in a crowd. Larger campuses can be a challenge for some students because you really need to take the initiative to contact your professors which are hard to get a hold of. However large schools have more academic programs to offer. It helps to know which area of study you plan to go into, this will help narrow down your options by looking at schools which offer the major that you plan to study. Keep in mind whether you feel more comfortable in a large or small city, this will help you adjust to your new surroundings. Most importantly visit each campus you are considering to get a feel for the environment. Ask lots of questions and talk to current students and professors to ensure that you make the best decision for yourself.

Anna

I would tell parents and students who were looking for the right college that they should look at the schools size, and the location of the school. I would also tell parents and students they should look at the majors the school offers as well as the financial resources availiable to the students. When looking at schools one should look at the housing availiable and the campous security. Students should try and get involved with different groups and clubs avaliable at the school and find a balance between being social and doing school work.

Jonna

Don't just pick a college that your friends are going to, find somewhere that fits all of your needs. Make sure to take a campus tour and tour the city if you have never been there to see where you can get food, where a bank is, and gas sations. Ask questions, even if you think they are silly, they aren't! When you do find the right college, explore it. Make sure you know when buildings close and when food stops being served. Try to go to as many sporting events as you can, they are great places to meet people! It's ok if you and your roommate don't get along, your just roommates, not best friends! Go to class! Don't sit in the back row of class because its very easy to be disctracted. Go see the professor if you need help, they don't mind talking more about their favorite subject! If you dont pick a major until your deadline, dont worry, hardly anyone ever sticks with their first major! Call home and stay in touch with friends at outher schools! Have fun, its a time to explore!

robin

I would recommend parents to research the college advantages and inform their student. I would get the student acquinted with where everything is located before, and get them in to the health center before it is needed. I would get them sign into the gym because it is free to students. I would have them instructed on blackboard, etc.

Aditya

College is not just an institution, its a way of life. From my personal experience, you change dramatically as your go through college, and the person you become at the end of of that journey is who you will be for the rest of your life. When picking a college, it is important to consider how developed a certain program is, so the student can learn the most for their money. It is important to find a place where there are strong student communities, varied choice for extra curricular acitivity, well developed campus facilities and a pleasant envirorment that encourages learning. Some students like being far from home so they can branch out while some prefer picking schools within short driving distances from their parents house. To parents - support your kids through college, help them when you can and hear them out when they decide to pick a certain college. State Universities are cheaper and offer more solid financial aid options and are the safest bet for those who rather not spend excessively for education. Research the place in and out and decide what best suits your personality, adademic needs and financial background. Good luck.

Chelsea

Have an open mind. Everything else follows.

Colleen

For finding the best college I would say, go and see the different campuses, talk to teachers and current students. Make sure that you like the campus and it feels right. Get involved with different activities, try some new things. Join clubs even if your really not that interested in it, you might meet some really neat people, or have your world opened up to something that in the end you might actually like.

Javan

Go and see what the university life is like before accepting and attending. Also check all reviews you could find on the department that you will be focusing in.

Vladislav

Stop, drop, and roll! You're about to be in college. Stop, take a look around the campus and spend a day exploring the city, you should see yourself enjoying your time here as a student, otherswise stop. Drop, by your "uncle's friends" house or any other distant relative or family friend who has a child at this university. Take them out to coffee or lunch and pick their brains, parents makes sure to give the students some alone time, you don't need to know everything! Other good resources might be the internet as, if you don't like what you hear you need to drop. Roll, out the welcome mat, start by keeping a list of all the comforts of home you plan on bringing with you, the last thing you ever want is to be stuck far away from home without your favorite creature comforts. Your transition away from home will be much smoother if you take the time to plan out first year. So remember, Stop, Drop, and Roll, before you end up feeling all burned out from your first year at school.

David

My advice is to find a college that has classes that interest the student and, depending on the student and parents' preference, close to or far from home. You should also pay attention to the type of community the student will be living in. To make the most of your college experience I would recommend making friends, and one way to do this is to join a club or other extracuricular activity. Also be sure to register for classes and apply for jobs as early as possible. When in class you are here to learn, keep an open mind but do not agree with EVERYTHING the professor says. If you do not understand the professor or do not agree with him or her talk about it with the professor after class. If you are in disagreement, be sure to be clear why and allow him or her to speak so you might both learn something from your conversation. Study hard and make sure you get plenty of sleep. Last but not least, keep a positive attitude. It is not always easy, but it is a skill you need to learn along with everything else in college.