SUNY College at Oswego Top Questions

Be open minded. The first thing I learned when I entered college is that it is not the the promised land that it is made out to be during high school. It is a lot of hard work and effort to stay on top, just like anything else. However, if you go in with an open mind and the willingness to try, college can be one of the greatest experiences of your life. It will change you and how you percieve the world. Let it. It will allow you to see through the fog of your childhood ideals and see the world in a way you never expected and you will come to understand what is truely important. Just go in with an open mind and you'll do great.

The transition from high school to college can be a challenge for freshman students who are entering the new college lifestyle. Many students have never had to take out such large loans until college. If I could talk myself through the changes as a high school student I would highly advise myself to research the entirety of my college major. In order to obtain my Bachelors degree there are many requirements. Most of the requirements regard general education courses. If I had known what the general education courses were that I needed in order to obtain my degree then I would have been able to apply my course work at school onto my degree program and graduate sooner. This ultimate change could have affected the amount of loans I have taken out and perhaps may have downsized the total amount I owe. Researching the degree I wanted would have really affected the outcome of how I went about obtaining it. I have learned through my personal experience now of what I could have done to reduce or manage my loans differently. I think this is very important to take into consideration when looking to pursue a degree.

RELAX. College is a big deal, but not going to Johnson and Wales isn't as devastating as you think it is. I know it sucks that you aren't going to your dream school, but Oswego is a great place. College is about what you're doing, not where you're doing it. You're going to do great at this school, I promise, and you're going to love it. I swear. For now, you're doing everything you're supposed to academically, and if you keep it up in college, it'll be smooth sailing. But you need to apply for more scholarships: you said you were going to live in the guidance office and apply for everything, but so far you've been slacking. Get off your butt and DO IT. Besides that, you need to dedicate a little more time to your friends and a little less to work. I know you hate to be told this, but you're a kid. It's okay to act like one and to not be perfect all of the time. Relax and enjoy the rest of your year. Good luck. You'll be fine.

First of all, you have nothing to worry about friend-wise. You will still have the friends you have now but you won't talk as much. Your friendships will mostly rely on Facebook. The amount of work you will receive won't be all that different, honestly. It will only seem like a lot because you have to manage your time between play and work, which is what your parents do for you now. And trust me, there will be A LOT of play. Best time of your life in fact. But moving on, don't get all worried about declaring a major. In fact, if I could do it over again, I would go in undeclared. You will probably change your major/minor 3-4 times before staying with what you want. And please be aware of what you will be, a college student. You will be targeted because you are inexperienced with life situations. You will get many calls trying to take your money and you will probably fall for the first one. Speaking of money, save it and be fickle with what you spend it on. "Don't let school interfere your education." Mark Twain

I would tell my past self not go home so much; although i had missed my family, college is an oppourtunty to stand on you own feet without anyone holding you hand. I would emphasise that, 'staying in' is something that should be seldomly done. This is also an opportunity to explore the world around you; whether you go to school in the big city or a small college town, if you look hard enough you can find a nook that can be meaningful to you. I would tell myself to stay on top of things, not only academic realated deadline but the politics of your school, know who is making the desicisions around and never stay "out of the loop" get involved in something you thought you would never do, even if it just for one time (for me it was joining the Capoeria and Aikido club) you will be suprised of what you learn about yourself as well as in general. Most of all, try to see the connections between what you learn in class and in your daily life. I feel more aware of how society works because i see these correlations between classes and daily living.

Have fun, and do not hesitate because you are nervous. Just have fun and study hard! It will be tough but everything will be ok.

Leaving your family and friends, and starting on a clean slate is a very difficult matter to deal with when first arriving on campus. You have no idea who your other peers are, and you are placed into unfamiliar territory. The best advice to give is to put yourself out there and make the extra effort to adjust to campus life. Volunteering to clean up around campus, joining clubs, and introducing yourself to others will not only help you grow as an individual, it will also help being away from home seem a little more bearable. In addition, the friends made in college could end up becoming life long acquaintances.

Visit the campuses, and talk to some of the professors in your possible major. I personally tried several colleges before I found the right fit, this cost me a lot of time & money. If I had been able to visit the college ahead of time, I'd have known that other colleges were not a good fit, and I would have discovered my love for SUNY Oswego much sooner.

I would tell myself to relax. I think that everyone can learn and have the time of their lives and balance that. It does not have to be a rat race. It's in everyone's best interest to try new things, put themselves outside of the box, meet new people, take risks but keep in mind what you're here for. It goes by way too fast, so be sure to take it all in.

Just do it.

The more important advice I would give to students about choosing the right college is to make sure it feels right for you. For example if you hate winter, do not choose a school that is cold and windy for the majority of the school year. Also Make sure that you are choosing a school where you will be able to balance your school work with your social life because even though you are going to college for school, the most successful people in life are those who can balance doing well in school or work and still have a fun, less stressful social life. Do not just pick a school because it is a big party school because even though you may have fun partying, you may not last their very long if thats all you do. You will find that you get the most of the college experience by doing your work and still having fun at times. Also get as involved with the school as possible. This way you will make more new friends and know more about your school and make more connections with other people.

visit all that you wish to attend

Make sure the college choice u make is your choice dont let no one make that choice for you.

The advice I would give them would be that find a school that the majors there interest you, and a school that is affordable. Find a school that you can get financial aid from and go visit the colleges you like the most and that have the best opportunities for you and not anyone else. Once you visit the colleges that are top on your list find out which one gives you the best vibe and go with your gut and choose you favorite school and don't let anyone talk you out of your decisions. Dream Big and Worry Later.

I would have to say to go with your gut instinct. I didnt and I ended up spending a lot of money and investing a lot of time at a school that I thought everyone else wanted me to go to. In the end, I transferred and am loving my time at SUNY Oswego.

My advice would be to chose a college that suits ones academic needs but at the same time suits their needs in terms of social life and a diverse college would be better for this.

In order to find the right college, i strongly advise students to visit the schools they are considering. In addition to visiting the school, sit in on a class and see how facults teaches students. I would also reccomend talking to a professor in the field you are considering to follow, even if you are undecided talking to a professor or advisor will give you a feeling on how faculty interacts with students. Once you are at school, make friends! The first couple of nights do not sit in your dorm room, go out and meet new people! the friends you make are very important to your social interaction. Also, do not be afraid to ask for help. if you are having trouble with a class and homework, ask somebody! most colleges have a tutoring service and or students available to assist you.

Its Worth IT.

The most important thing is to pick a place where you can grow. It's very important to pick a college that meets your interests, but college is a time of growth and self-realization. It?s a time when you start to realize who you are, and what kinds of things your going to want to do for the rest of your life. There are not many events in a person?s life that really put you into life like college. That's why it?s so important to pick a place that you can grow in, and then enjoy it. The best advice I ever received about college was that the experience is what you make of it. It doesn?t matter if you attend Harvard or a state school, what?s important is that you make the most of what you have. If you just try to coast through college then you wont grow, and also won't do very well academically. Take risk, be adventurous, this will be the last time that you will be able to make child mistakes and recover from them. So throw caution to the wind, and never forget to have fun.

A new college student needs to be open to new experiences and people different from themselves. New students should be taking tours and overnights at their prospective schools to get a more accurate feel of their campuses, its how I chose my college and I feel it is the best way to determine which school is right for them.

I believe that when one is considering a college to prepare them for their future, parents and students must consider mulitiple factors. One must consider the quality of education to be provided, the costs associate with such education, and the physical proximity of the school from the students home. Many students feel they can't wait to get away from their parents, only to realize later that they are homesick and depressed. This can gravely affect their studies as well as their perspective on life in general. I also feel it's important to become involved with sports, clubs, and activities as much as possible. This is a terrific way to meet new people and find those who share your interests. Don't be shy. It's time for you to shine!

Start looking at schools early, most of the things you think are going to be important to you will all change when you move in. Remember that the first semester is going to be rocky, you have to get used to a lot of new things all at once. The first semester is all about making new friends, talk to people in your classes, join clubs, go find friends, don't wait for them to come to you. Every one is looking for friends! Get enough sleep and make your self go to class, every single class, teachers teach what is going to be on their tests just reading the book is not good enought. If you can hold on for the first semester, your going to be just fine.

Don't Go to Oswego.

The first thing you need to decide is what you want to get out of the college experience. What type pf degree do you want? What activities are you interested in? Will you be living on campus or off? All of these questions will have an impact on the college that you choose. Also do you want to love near home or far away? You should answer these questions to narrow down the colleges that you would like to look at and then you can rate them by importance and see which colleges fit your wants and needs the best. You need to enter college with an open mind. You are an adult now ---no longer a child. The professors treat you as an adult and you will make friends if you let go of all of those high school ideals. College is a whole new exciting world for you to explore as long as you have an open mind. Participate in the college activities and go to events that they have for you. You can take your work seriously and still have fun. College is a wonderful place to start your new life.

People say you should visit the campus before you accept or apply to the school. I never saw my school until I went to orientation for that first semester. It's more important to know what feels right, and knowing your options. Oswego was lenient for those with uncertain career goals, they allowed for students to hold off on declaring a major until their junior year, and even then, you could switch your major with a slip of paper and two signatures. Not all schools are so understanding. Find out what the academic tracks you're interested in have to offer and expect of you. Research the professors on Ratemyprofessor.com. Plan out your semesters ahead of time; people rely too much on their advisor and get stuck taking an extra semester. Be proactive. Ask lots of questions. Talk often in class, and carry on the conversation when class ends if you can. Make them know who you are. If you've got all of that, join as many groups and clubs as you can. If your grades drop a little, talk to your professor. Teachers are more lenient on students who actively participate in class. Good luck.

Have fun at school but do your work. Take advantage of internships and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Most of all make friends because the friends you make in college will be friends for ever.

Make sure you are aware of the surrounding environment, the academic environment, and social environment because those three components makes or breaks your stay at a university.

My advice would be over prepared! College can be a life changing experience if you pick the right school! However picking the wrong school can make you and your parents miserable. Make sure you visit the school mulitple times, even take part in a program that allows you to have an over night and see what the school is really about by staying with one of the students that already goes there. Don't settle!

Look for a college not only for its academic standing but also for the activities available to you. A school that has a rigorous teaching program in your course of study will not help you as much as a school that has activities related to your course of study as it is applied in the real world. These schools will also be the ones with a diverse network of graduates who work in the related fields, ready and willing to help you find a job and form your career after commencement.

go to this school if you like to have a good time

Find a program that is strong for your major and make sure you like the off campus scene!

Just make sure that you look at each school carefully. Consider the size, the environment, the weather, the available programs....but don't look too carefully at the cost. Price is important, but its not the most important factor when determining where you will spend the next four years of your life. You need to make sure you find a place where you will be happy, and that you will get the most out of your learnign experience. I reccomend touring the campuses you are considering, if at all possible. Sometimes all you need to do to decide between several schools that seem to be equally appealing is to walk around the campus and get a feel for the place.

First, to parents I would suggest they be ready to let go of their child. It's a time for him or her to grow and discover where the future with take him or her. It's not easy, but don't be a helicopter parent. My Mom told me that she would not call me the first month I was away at college. This was not because she didn't love me, but she wanted be to have freedom. I could call her whenever I needed her, but she didn't want to push into my new world. To students, I would like to tell them that it's ok to change your mind about the program you're in or the college you attend. I went to NYU and loved it, but realized the program I was going for was not really what I wanted. So, I transfered for my Junior Year. It wasn't easy, but it was definitely worth it. Be flexible when you're trying to discover yourself and your future.

Go to campuses, I felt comfortable at some while others did not appeal to me. Look into what the college has to offer, clubs and organizations, majors and other campus life. Find one that meets you financial needs, there are plenty of good schools availiable at a cheaper cost.

Where ever you go even if its not your frist choose, you will love it becouse college is what you make of it. The more activity you get involved with the more fun you will have.

I think the best advice for parents would be to stay involved in what your kids are doing. It's important that although they may be away at school, realistically, especially their freshmen year of college, they will be facing a lot of challenges. It's important to make sure they stay focused, because sure, it's okay to have fun and try new things, but it's easy to to lose focus and mess up a great opportunity. For students, my best advice is to be honest with your parents. You're becoming adults; try your hardest to act like one. This is the time that your actions really matter, and although there will be a lot of temptations, it's important to stay true to your values and morals and make your own decisions based on a clear and conscious mind. Have fun, meet new people, stay open-minded and try tons of new things. It's your time to show the world that you stand out and that you are an individual. But don't forget why you are there; there will always be time for play but you have limited opportunities to make it count.

Do your own research as well as listening to your advisors. Be your own advisor. As questions in the career you want to end up in and see what they require. Don't start at a bigger university until you know your major. Try to take as many community college courses you can. Don't work a full time job. Get involved, live on campus at least one year.

You should definitely go visit the college and it helps to have friends that go there or to have a friend that is going there with you beacuse then it is easier to meet people. The best thing that you can do is joing a team or a fraternity or sorority because you meet a lot of good friends very quickly.

Get out there and meet people. Have fun but remember you are first and foremost a student. If you're smart you only go to college once so make it an experience to remember!

Every institution meets a wide range of academic and personal desires of its students. As a student or parent of a student, decide what you or your student personally wants out of their college experience, both academically and socially. Include in this decision the experiences and opportunities they would like to gain. Go in with an open mind, college is a life changing experience for both students and their parents. Whatever you or your student chooses to do, he or she will be making it their own.

ratemyprofessors.com is helpful to see what the faculty is like. Call the school and ask for a tour. Ask to speak with a current student about the kind of work and extracurriculars offered. THOROUGHLY navigate the website (including the library's website) to see how accessible different departments are. Call the department you want to major in and ask for the chair or head so that you can ask them specifically what kind of student they're looking for, what they expect from those they accept.

Look for as much finacial aid as possible.

Make sure to visit the college before enrolling.

A school with strong career services is vital.

Go alone to the campus for a little while. Just sit in a high traffic area and observe how the students interact together. See if people talk to each other, or if they just try to look more badass than the person they are about to pass going the opposite direction. A dining hall is a good spot to go. See if people say "excuse me" when they are trying to get passed you or if they stand there irritated that you are near them. Just get a good feel of the people. If you like the people, you'll like the school.

Find a College that fits with what the student is looking for. Find out about social activities and extra curricular activities that they can also get involved with.

Let your child make the final decision.

Academics are important but so is social involvement, volunteering, & experience.

My advice to future college candidates would be to go and visit the school you are thinking about attending at least a few times to really make sure it is the right decision for you. If you know someone that currently attends the school you may want to sit down with them and ask any questions you may have about the school and social life there. Also you could go and stay at the college over night with a friend and go out to see what the students are really like in their natural setting. Overall you want to find a school that fits you and your personality. Some positive qualities to look for may be that the school is, well rounded, diverse,provides a good education, and socially acceptable which gives you a place to meet and hang out with some of the best life long friends you will ever meet and have. Its all about the experience, take chances, meet new people, try new things, stay up late, go out on a weekday because college usually ends up being the best four years of your life.

Don't feel like you have to go away to college or choose a major right away. When I graduated high school I had no idea what I wanted to major in or where I wanted to go. I ended up just choosing a college and a major just because thats what everyone else was doing. I ended up hating my first year and almost dropped out. Its okay to be undecided. Liberal Arts is a great major to start out because you get to take all different types of classes and figure out what you like best. You will figure it out eventually. Its better to be undecided then major is something you dont like. If you do know what you want go for it, but dont limit you options. Take different classes you might not have thought about taking before. Try new things. There are so many interesting classes avaliable. Make the most of it. You may discover something new and exciting.