Spring Arbor University Top Questions

Knowing what I know now about college life, I would tell my high school self to remember to buckle down and focus on the one thing that should come first in life, God. As long as I focus on God, everything else will all fall into place. I would also tell myself to take my academics more seriously my first year and to keep in mind that just because I am an athlete does not mean it is okay to merely "get by." I would tell myself that I am proud of myself for learning from my mistakes and for doing everything in my power to buckle down and improve my grades, to improve my relationship with God, and for pushing through my knee injury during fall ball.

Phil, you need to listen to me. I know you're excited for school, and you have some reservations, and hesitations. First off, calm down. That's normal. You're wrestling with feelings of trying to be accepted again, and all these 'inadequacies.' You've spent the last several years learning your strengths, skills, gifts, and abilities, and now you're about to learn how to let them shine. So go humbly, and go confidently. But beyond that, you need to take the school experience more serious. For too long, you've known you were smart. You've known you were sharp. But, if you're going to be honest with yourself...myself...ourself... you know you've also been lazy and far more capable than what you've done. It's time for excuses to be done. It's this next season of your life that will shape the rest of your life. You're about to meet your wife. Yup. (yeah she's hot...but she's a phenomenal person...out of your league). But the school work. Focus. Make it count. But remember...do it one step at a time. One semester at a time. Live well.

Work hard and don't give up, it's worth it.

I would tell myself to treasure the time that I have in high school with those people. The people that are met in college are truly life long friends and the friends that are from high school aren't really held onto. The time with them should be something that is special because they won't be the people that are prominent in my life for much longer. I will tell myself that it doesn't matter if I am accepted in high school because people in college are much more accepting of everyone's uniqueness and doesn't mind if someone doesn't fit the stereotypical mold. High school is one chapter in the book of life, college is another. The story hasn't ended; it's just time to turn the page.

Apply for lots of scholarships and try to get an on campus job with 10-20 hours. Make sure to get a mix of classes, some for you major and some for your general education requirements. If you are at a big state college, don't take the really specialized courses, take ones that will transfer easily, in the case you decide to choose a different college. Be involved in social aspects of college, not just in the academics. Join groups where you can meet other people in your major, and make friends with people in your classes- specifically in the classes for your major. Be involved in sports too, because being a healthy student will make you a smarter student as well. Most of all, remember that a lot of college is attitude and effort. Which college you go to is not as important as the choice to be satisfied where you are at. Sometimes it's easy to panic and want to switch majors because of "big" events happening in life, but it's important to take a step back and look at the big picture. Few things are as life changing as we think.

Dear High School Self,

Dear Elizabeth, College life is great, but it isn't what you expected. The transition from living under your parents full time to making your own decisions is a little scary, especially for a shy girl like you. You will not only have to make conversation with complete strangers but you will have to "run" almost every aspect of your day, from the moment you get up to the moment you go to sleep. If you sleep too late in the morning, Mom isn't going to be there to wake you up. Manage your time! Try to be a student from your first class until 5, or whenever your homework is done. The homework may be boring, but once it's done you really do have plenty of time to relax. Put your best effort into your homework, especially your art work. Don't settle for less than your best. Most importantly, don't forget God in all the hub-ub of this new phase in life. God is who will get you through all the rough stuff, and he is the only one worth living for. Good luck! Sincerely, Elizabeth

Krista, You now have your wings, you must learn to fly, but before your try there are some things I want you to know. College is what YOU make it. There are positives and negatives to be face at every turn of your life, especially college. So embrace the good, deal with the rest to the best of your ability, and keep your head up. Don't feel judged by the people around you, they are going through major life changes too. Also dismiss your preconceived notions, and start college with an open mind. If you have a glorified picture of college it will only be shattered. Day dreams and reality rarely overlap. Be realistic with your expectations, but know that you can and should always reach for happiness. Fly now child. This is your time to soar. Lovingly , - Yourself two years smarter

If I could go back I would have sought ought more advice regarding my career path or field of study. I chose WHERE I wanted to attend school BEFORE I really knew what I wanted to do with my life. This decision has led to wasted time and money, poor roommate choices and always feeling like I am starting over again. SAU is an awesome Christian University, but it does not have the exact field of study that I have a passion for. My personality does not allow for researching multiple options. My parents advised me to check out several schools, but I wanted to stay close to home and attend a Christian University. Now that I am older and wiser I realize that my parents were trying to help me step "outside my box" so I could make the BEST decision for ME! In summary, I would advise myself to complete "career pathways" inventories; submit to personality testing; schedule interviews with people already in my field of study; job shadow several times; visit multiple colleges and universities; participate in "overnight" college visits; and finally allow my college roommate to be randomly selected.

First of all, I would tell myself to keep my head up, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Next, I would tell myself to try harder than ever. Not to let my guard down, because it gets harder and slacking will only cause you grief later. Finally, I would make sure to remind myself my focus needs to be about others, not myself.

If I could redo my high school senior year, I would tell myself that I need to apply for as many scholarships as possible because that will be less money I will have to pay. This is important, so do not give up on this. Also, you need to start buying all the things for college in the fall, so you can have a head start. If you don't, you will get to college and not have what you need. You know that you need to study hard, especially since this is your senior year. In college, the work gets even harder. When you study, focus and spend quality time studying and concentrate hard. You are going to have to do this for college.

If I chould go back in time to my highschool years, I would look myself in the mirror and ask myself one question. "Who are you?" In retrospect of my highschool years I notice now that I was a girl who did not understand her place or who she was. I know now that if I would have looked deeper into who I was and sought more after God, my highschool life would have been a little easier and I probably would have come out a little better in the end of them. I know look at myself and see that if I would have listened to the advice that I was given in the beginning that would have made so many of the decisions that I have to make today a little easier to understand and would allow me to trust myself a little more. Therefore, if I was able to give myself advise, I would tell myself to not close myself off to the people I know and love who love me and who want the best for me, because I now see that some of the things they said may have changed my life.

Time goes by so fast that before you know it 4 years has went by, or even 6 years and you could have a masters Degree. Just think of it this way; when you sign-up for school ( make sure everything is done early so that if any problem arise you can take care of it in a timely fashion so that it will not interfer with your classes) think about a new born child. Say to yourself, when this child turns 4 I will have my Bachelor's degree. How many times have you said "he's 4 already", well that's how fast you could graduate from college. Once your in college you have four major priorities, never miss a day of school, take good notes; every moment you find yourself doing nothing, do something ( it takes the edge off of assignment deadlines, any place you might find yourself sitting and waiting, take a pen and notebook ), and last but surely not least enjoy every moment of learning new things and meeting interesting people, this will make your life much richer. Also, if you enjoy the finer things in life, college will equip you with the tools needed.

I would tell myself to take more advanced placement classes and challenge myself more. I now know more about the importance of GPA and ACT scores. My high school did not tell students about how much advanced placemtn classes can help. There are many liberal arts classes that I now have to take in college that I could have taken in high school and saved a lot of money. I would also highly recommend not rooming with someone from high school. This has helped me a lot in making new friends. I have changed a lot in college and know that if I had lived with someone that knew me in high school these changes would have been harder because they would have already known me. For the most part I feel as though I was prepared for college and made the transition well. I am continuing to learn more and more about myself because of the school that I attend and hte challenges that I am facing.

Well hello there Kristen. Wow you are a senior, you have a big decision ahead of you. First you need to take your time and decide on what collge will be best for you. Don't just choose any old college you need to make sure it fits you and your needs. Then you need to visit the colleges to help narrow down your decision. Once you decide where you are going and are on your way to collge know that it is very differant than high school and just keep an open mind about the whole change. Once you start classes be sure to get to know your professor, and be prepared for a larger work load than what you were used to in high school. Your first semester will be very difficult being away from your family and such, it is a very differant environment. As time goes on it gets much easier. To sum it all up make lots of friends and have a great time while your in college, live up the college life, it only happens once and it will be a fast four years.

Back when I was a high school senior, if I knew how college life really is I would push myself harder into doing homework right away. I tend to procrastinate a lot and stay up late working on homework, rather than getting it done when I first get it. By not procrastinating it will tend to take stress away and allow myself to get more sleep. Also I woud let myself know that there no worries with making friends when you get to college because everyone is new and eager to meet new people.

Dear Senior-Me, Hello! I know you're having a fantastic final year at GCHS, and I know God has worked a lot in your life over these last few months. However, I want you to start looking toward your future, and what kind of person God wants you to become when you're at Spring Arbor University. You are going to encounter a lot of growth in your freshman year of college. God is going to push you in ways you have never experienced, and He is going to use you as a great influence in the lives of your fellow students. I want you to start praying for yourself and for the others on that campus. You'll be able to make the most of that experience only if you allow God to start molding you right now into the piece of pottery you will ultimately turn out to be. A final piece of advice? Keep looking up, literally. Keep a heaven-bound mindset, and keep a prayer-warrior spirit. God is going to do some great things through you in college, and I don't want you to miss that. Good luck! Love, Your Future Self.

I would tell myself to try my hardest and to not slack off in my schoolwork. If I had only known how well I could do if I applied myself, I would have done much better. I would tell myself to do my schoolwork first, and to complete it all on time. I didn't realize how important high school was to a good college education. If I had the initiative I have now, I could have exceeded how I did greatly. I was too happy with mundane grades. Now I know all that I could have accomplished.

I would want to tell myself two specific things. The first is to not be afraid of the transition. Don't hesitate or be fearful when it comes to change. Transition will stretch you and provide great opportunities to improve as a person. Embrace change - don't run away from the great chances it offers. The second thing I would be sure to tell myself is to have no regrets. Explore all options you have for the future. Sometimes the easy choice for college is not the best choice. The school that you may belong at might not be the closest to home or the most affordable, but it still might be the right place for you. Overall, I would reassure myself that although deciding on a school and making all the decisions that is involved with that, I possess the ability to be wise and make a great choice for my future. There is no need for second guessing or regret.

Making the transition from high school to college is exciting, frightening, a relief, and stress factor all at the same time. It is a transition into a world of adulthood and independence but that responsibility brings decisions that will ultimately affect the rest of your life. During that time, I wish I could have advised myself to relax as much as possible and take advantage of the many resources available in the form of professors, advisers, adult friends and family. Most of all, I would advise myself, "finish your education when your responsibilities are few." If I only knew how important a degree would be. A single mother of five has to sacrifice quality time and energy to finish college. Little did I know how my decision to quit would affect life's most precious gifts, my children. Now these amazing young people depend on my ability to support them financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Now, instead of giving them my time and energy, I have no choice but to put precious time, money, and energy into keeping my job. If I knew then what I know now, I would have finished my education when my only responsibility was myself.

Going back to high school my greatest piece of advice would be to stay close to God, work hard, and to not worry. For me, college seemed like a scary place full of extreme stress and pressure to do well. Although there are days and even weeks where that is true, the task can be done, and it is worth the effort. It is important to strive for excellence in whatever you do. Do your best and trust in God. College is more than just work and tests, but also a great time to build lasting friendships and to have fun. Along with working hard, don't be afraid to fail. Don't be afraid to fail in school, in your relationships, or in your job. You can't succeed unless you are willing to take a chance. Remember God will never call you to do something he has not already given you the strength to do. The hard times have actually been the times I have learned the most. Nothing is wasted so go forward with confidence.

If I were able to go back in time and advice myself I would tell myself not to be so hard on myself. The first semester isn't easy. You have to get used to the course load. I would make sure that you are organized and know what you want to do to avoid paying for classes you don't need. After awhile you will realize that college isn't so awful. You will begin to make new friends and wonderful professors who will help you along your college journey. Rely on on these people and your advisor to make sure you are on the right track. It is these people who can give you wonderful opprotunities that will advance your career. Always remember to keep in mind why you are going to college for because in difficult times you may need some encouraging words. Always remember there is light at the end of the tunnel even if you can't see it. Strive to do your best because that is all we can do. Keep close those who care for you because you will need there support in good times and in difficult times.

It is exciting to go to a new place where almost no one knows who you are and what you have done in your life. People do not judge you on your past, but rather how you present yourself now. College is not like high school; expect the classes to be harder, the teachers to expect more, and the fellow students to be as scared as you are. Your life is different in college. There is no one to remind you to go to class and the professors will not care if you show up or not. It is up to you to take care of yourself, to get enough sleep, to exercise, to study and do your homework. As important as it is to do well in classes, don't forget to put yourself out there to meet people. There are community areas to go to and meet people: hang out there. Be friendly and start conversations with people you don't know. Make friends with people in your classes, especially the classes in your major. Do things you haven't done before and don't be afraid to experience life outside of what you have always known.

I would tell myself to pick a college that is small and is not focused on partying. The best decision that I ever made was coming to a college that allowed me to be myself without the distraction of alcohol or drugs. I have learned so much about myself while maintaining a good grasp on my academic career. I would tell myself to be open to all types of people and views even if you do not agree. Learning from others is one of the greatest types of learning we can have. I would tell myself to pick a career that I love. Pick a major that has to do with something you love to do in your everyday life. I made the mistake of thinking of money and not thinking of my passion. So, I would tell myself to pick a small school with no alcohol use, be open minded to the people you meet, and to pick a major that involves my passion or dream in life.

Erin, the first thing you need to do is to find something to motivate yourself. Mom and Dad will not always be with you to get on your case about getting your work done. Next, you need to make goals for what you want out of high school and college. Set your sights high and be specific. You know you can achieve so much! Tell people your goals also! Friends, teachers, and especially parents are perfect people to keep you accountable and set on the right track to reach your goals. Without someone to keep you accountable, it's easier to slack off and lower your expectations for yourself. The last piece of advice I can give is to study because you want to learn, not just to get through the class. Do all the work assigned by your teachers but take the time to go above and beyond that. Learn how to study now, because if you have poor study skills in college, you will struggle in your classes. The most important thing you can do is to take your education seriously, because without it, you will have a hard time achieving your goals.

I would strongly encourage myself to go to a public university and live on campus, for two reasons. First I feel like I missed out on the college experience by sticking around home. Second it would have been much cheaper to attend a public college versus a private college.

I graduated with 36 in my class, so going to a small public school there was not much offered for a high education. I would tell myself to take part in as many English classes and general required classes as I could. That way when I got to college the process of studying, interaction with others, and some of the same fields of study would be familiar and easier to take on. Also I would tell myself to be very involved with the community. I?m doing well in college with helping those in need and serving with the Social Work Association, however the more serving at a younger age I believe now gives you better insight on how our communities need people.

Matt, "you can do all things through Christ who stengthens you!" Never look down upon yourself; God loves you and has great plans for you. Do not hate those who hurt you and make fun of you; forgive them. Forgive Mom. Hatred is decay in your bones, it will enslave you. Never quit, never give up; persevere and endure. Always do what is right, even if people hate you for it. Do not be afraid to love, it is the greatest tool you have. Learn, read, observe and study; your way out is through wisdom and knowledge. Take heed to instruction, correction and discipline. Listen! "Be slow to speak but quick to listen." You have great listening Matt, use it to futher your growth and ministry to others. Do not criticize, complain or condemn! Be thankful, patient, kind, humble and gentle! Remember family! Keep promises! Smile! Put others first! Love and trust in God! Love your enemies! Test everything, keep the good! Matt, "people." Help and encourage people! Love others and your pain will not be in vein. BE the difference Matt. One person can change the world, in fact, that is the only way it's ever been done.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would say stop, look and listen. Stop to take the time and research your career choices and see what it has to offer you. Make sure this is something you are passionate about. If you love what you do, you will give it your best. Look at the bigger picture of what studying, being disciplined, committed and the ability to manage your time can offer you. Listen to others who have your best interest at heart. I would say that in order to be a success at school, I need to get committed and discipline myself. I would surround myself with a positive support system.

Hey! How's life? Excited for prom? I knew you would be, but do yourself a favor and bring flats! You'll need them! But down to the reason I'm here. So you've been thinking about college right? Well, I have a few Do's and Don'ts to share with you so that your first year goes smoothly! The school you're thinking of going to is pretty awesome, if I say so myself. But DON'T try to become popular! Popularity doesn't exist in this school, so all you'll be doing is wasting your time. DO try to become friends with people you know you're going to see multiple times. Friends last forever at SAU. DON'T procrastinate, I know it's your haven, but when you get to SAU and you procrastinate in everything, you will not pass! You will flunk and have to retake your course which will just add more years before graduation. DO complete your assignments at least a week before they're due, believe me, you'll have so much time. DON'T exchange your social life for homework! You'll regret it in the end! Good Luck!

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I definitely would because there would be quite a few things that I would tell myself. One of them being that all of my homework that was due for that week, I would get it all done by the Sunday before. I would do this because if there were any big projects or additional homework added on to my load then I would have the extra time to do it; and I would also be a lot less stressed out if I had done that. Another thing that I would tell myself is to appreciate the time with my family and friends while I still had the time to spend with them. I am an hour and a half away from home and even though its not that far I still get homesick and I miss my family sometimes. So I would tell myself to take advantage of every second that I was with my parents and sister because I would miss them very much once I went away to college. These are two of the most important things that I would tell myself.

Listen up, high school senior: It's okay to not know exactly what you want to do, no matter how many times you will be asked in the next 4 years or so "What do you plan on doing with your life?" It's okay to not follow your high school friends to the university that they think is perfect for you. It's okay to not worry about loans and how you will pay for school (that's what you have to look forward to after you graduate college: paying them off). It's okay to dream big: who says you can't do something? There are ways to improvise. You only live once, so why not make your college years the best years of your life? Take advantage of campus activities, sports, and community living: most of us won't be able to do these ever again. Go to class: this isn't high school...you're paying for it. Step out of your comfort zone and gain the priceless experience of it. Make connections and network, because even if you don't know what you're doing, someone else can help guide you in your misdirection.

Regard the next four years as a privilege. While developing relationships and having fun are valuable aspects of college, do not pour all of your time into your social life. Do not neglect the reason for which you are furthering your education: the continuation of knowledge towards a specific future. You will write many papers, read many books, take many tests. Each assignment really does count, and it really does work out better for you if you begin the work prior to the night before it's due. Engage your mind in your classes. Take the time to consider the material you are reading and studying and truly grow in knowledge. You will change in these next four years. Look forward to building strong relationships, growing in knowledge, advancing in maturity and time management. Do not squander these next four years.

I would tell myself to get better prepared not only for college, but for life itself. I had to endure some hardships when it came to selecting a college and paying for college that I would go back in time to tell myself that adivice. I would also have worked harder in school to get much more scholarships in order to pay for school as well.

College is a chance to start over with a clean slate, in a sense. In my case, I went to school 14 hours away from home and knew absolutely nobody upon entering college my freshman year. Knowing what I know now after 2.5 years of completed tertiary schooling, if I could go back to my very first day I would advise myself to be the individual I desired to be. Throwing off any former labels or stereotypes I may have received in high school or elementary school, I could have possessed any kind of character or personality traits I wanted. After all, nobody knew who I had been for so many years prior to entering Spring Arbor University. Therefore, if I were to make the same transition again, I would simply start over and allow myself to become who I was created to be, without hindrance.

It is going to be fine. It is a lot more work and you will sleep a lot loss but you will be able to do it. Save money and get ready for a good time.

I would tell myself to be open to other people and new experiences. I was incredibly nervous to transition from high school to college. I'm really close with my family and the thought of leaving home terrified me. I'm still not a big fan of being away from home, but I've made some great friends through my university. I would tell myself to not be nervous to meet new people. I would encourage myself to take leaps of faith and not to worry about what someone else might think of me. It's important to be yourself from the very beginning; let others know who you are and what you believe in. You'll make friends for who you really are and they'll love you. I would prepare myself to love others more unconditionally and accept them for who they are.

Get out there and talk to people - be social because everyone else is looking for a friend too! As far as grades, just stay focused and you'll do great! Sure there's a lot of work to do but you're a hardworker and you can keep up with it. College is way better than high school and the people here are a lot less shallow. You're going to love college. Just be bold, have some courage and don't be afraid to look people in the eye and say "Hi."

I would tell myself that I need to learn to be more open. College can be a lot of fun right from the beginning if you force yourself to try and make new friends. I would also say that it would be a good idea to go over the rules of the school, to make sure that you are willing and able to follow them. Along with this, I would suggest talking to a few people who already attend the college of your choice, to see how they like it. I think I would also suggest that you would plan to go home more often than you would think you'd want to your freshman year. Being away from home for a long time, especially if you're not used to it, can be very stressful.

In giving advice to parents and students, I would make sure the student knows a little about what he or she wants out of life before determining a college. I would advise high school students to do some type of day on the job before determining the career path he or she would like to follow. It is very difficult at a young age to know exactly what you want out of life, so a student needs to be very careful about determining where they want to go. One great principle to follow when making a life changing decision is Define, Learn, Do. Define what you want out of life, learn from someone who already has what you want, and then do what they did. This is a very sipmple principle to follow, however, it can make the world of a difference if applied correctly to determining a college. For example, a student should interview someone in his or her perspective job field and also interview someone who attends the perspective schools that have a program for that specific job field. Asking the right questions to the right people is key for students looking to attend college.

College is a life changing experience. It is an opportunity to learn about oneself and further education. However, the stress of finding the perfect college is unecessary. Finding the right college should not stress you out. It is a fun process that students and parents should enjoy. It is good to make lists of pros and cons; it is also good to try to determine what is essential in a college to each individual student. College is a learning experiment and a life changing process. Enjoy it!!

For prospective students, the best advice would to get out there and visit the campuses. Once you visit a campus, you get the true feel of the atmosphere and the people. Also, it allows you to taste the food, meet the professors, see the class sizes, and learn what it takes to be involved in the campus. However, remember to not ask questions only to your tour guide, but be sure to go around and ask other students that attend the college or university. These students will probably provide a more accurate answer about living situations and campus life. Plus, it is always good to get more than one opinion. Overall, find a place you love and get involved. Be sure to talk to those in leadership roles and see where you can plug in. The more you are involved on campus, the more you will get out of your college experience, socially and academically.

Finding the right college for you can be stressful. Go with your first instinct. The place that feels the most like home is the place you'll be most comfortable. Don't pick a school because of your friends but pick a school that you feel will be best for you. Always remember, college is what you make of it!

Finding the right school enables a student to make the most of a higher education by providing opportunities to stretch their mental, emotional and spiritual boundaries. There is no better gift you can give yourself or your child than the love of learning for a lifetime through higher education at the right college. Find the school that encourages critical thinking, and applying what you've learned to real-life situations. Apply yourself whole-heartedly to the process. You'll enjoy growing up, meeting new challenges, and expanding your horizons while preparing to engage in the world in a way that matters - to you and to those whose lives you will touch after you graduate.

I believe it is important to find a college that cares for their students. While searching for a college, visit as many as you can and stay overnight in the dorms, if possible. Find a college that has activities that interest you especially if you plan to live on campus. Get involved once you begin college: go to games, visit at the lounge, seek out new friends, play varsity sports or join the band, do as much as you can as long as your grades don't suffer. Take advantage of study groups, tutoring, or professor's open hours to help get your work done. Don't party too much--you might find yourself doing something you'll regret forever. If there is chapel, make sure to attend sometime or find a good church and get involved there. This is a wonderful time in life to get grounded in who you are and what you belive in.

For parents and students trying to find the right college, make sure to ask the right questions. Most colleges will give you a degree in what you need in terms of academics though different universities do differ and some are better for different carreer paths than others. My advice however, is that a student looks for a college that would give him the best experience and the best growth and advances in maturity as possible. I choose a college that I knew would not only fulfill my academic requirements but one that would also have peers that I could bond, discuss, grow and learn with. While the professors of colleges are the ones dedicated to helping us earn our degress, I have gleaned just as much adcademic worth from those that I am pursuing a degree with.

In order to find the right college, you (student), must listen to your heart and your gut feeling when visiting campus. If you feel uneasy, the students seem too different from you, try somewhere else. I think also that more than one visit to a college campus is very important. You may visit on the "wrong" weekend. I also think that Saturday or Sunday afternoon is a BAD time to visit. If you really want to see students working and in action visit on a Tuesday or Thursday evening. See what their real campus life is like. Parents should also let their student have some say in their choice of school. Nothing turns a student off to learning as being forced to go somewhere, especially if that is where the parent attended. A student should also see if they might be allowed to attend a special event or day on campus to meet some of the students there. I myself love nothing more then being in the drawing room and having potential student come through so I can meet them one on one and answer questions. Meet someone on campus, they'll most likely be honest if you ask them.

When I was researching colleges, I first wrote a list of the characteristics I wanted in a future college and then I made a notebook, outlining these characteristics with a seperate page for each college researched. I set each page up like this: NAME OF COLLEGE LOCATION No. HOURS FROM HOME TUITION ENROLLMENT MAJORS OFFERED I could then easily compare each of the colleges and weigh the most important characteristics. This will give you enough information to illiminate colleges that do not fit your desired criteria. Since applying for college can be costly and timely, narrow your application process to 5 or fewer colleges. However, be sure to apply to at least 2 colleges and be sure one of them is a "safety" college, meaning you are pretty certain you will be accepted. When you have applied and received acceptance letters, visit each college you have been accepted to, as this is the best way to compare. Once in college, the best way to make the most of your college experience is to get involved in various on-campus activities. Do not overbook yourself, though. Know what you like to do and be committed those few activities.

I strongly suggest parents to listen to their children and allow them to lead in finding a school. I suggest that students need to listen to the advice and wisdom of their parents, and use it as a guidance tool to decide on the right college. It is important when choosing a college that students have support from their parents, and that everyone works together as a family to make the right decisions. Once in college, students need to realize that not only is this a time to study, but it is also a time to make conections for the future. Students need to not focus on the social aspect, but instead on the possibilities presented to them to better their

Find a college where you know you will be able to focus on your school work (that's what you are mainly here for, remember) and a place where you can also meet great people who you can make lasting friendships with. School size, school tuition, and environment is very important. But also be sure to see how involved professors are in their students academic life as well as personal every day life. Classroom size is also important. Most important, however, is to find out how good are the schools programs and how well do they fit in with what you want. A person can do well at any college if they put their mind to it, so just pick a place where you know you will be happy.