SUNY College at Oswego Top Questions

After going to a private school for a year, I discovered that public schools generally have a lot more extra-curricular activities going on, as well as massive opportunities for students to succeed and get into careers that match their interests. Unless you are in a state where the public schools are under-funded, it's in your child's best interest to attend a public school if they want to have an amazing time in college.

dont piss around

Start early. Make sure that you and your parents are communicating as early as freshman year of high school. Work with your guidance counselor but do not let them treat you like a doormat. Figure out what you want in a college and sit down and make a list. There are so many schools out there to choose from and each has its own unique attributes, but there is one school that is right for you, that will fit your needs and desires. Choose a school based on where you see yourself in five years. Try to ignore the fact that your best friends are considering a certain school and decide based on your goals and dreams in life. Remember that not everyone has their life mapped out for them and it's alright to be undecided as to a major, but if you are, then go to community college for a year or so to narrow down your choices as to a major and then go on to a bigger school once you have decided. This is a big decision but there are people around you to help you make it.

Just be sure to visit the campus, and don't be afraid to ask questions! Try to figure out what you want most in a school, and look for that in your searches. For example, a medium sized campus with smaller sized classes was what I wanted, and that's what I found.

Take your time and look carefully

There are many things a person just graduating from high school should consider about picking the college that they want to attend and that they will actually STAY at for the duration. They should ask other students first who already attend a college, what it is that they like about it. I would want to tell them ,as a student myself, that it's not all fun and games, but alot of hard work. To stay for classes, to do the homework assigned , participate in classroom discussions even if you don't usually do this, and to get to know your professors are the most important aspects of college. Find the fun around campus too. Get involved with some of the extracurricular activities and get to know the other students in your class. Time goes so fast in our lives and when you least expect it, the moment has passed and life has happened. It all is exciting and important and frustrating and fleeting. Before we know it we have to go out into the big world of life beyond college and we should be able to look back and say, "Yeah, that was really worth it!"

Don't rush into the college. Take your time and start early. Visit the campus if you can. Talk to residents of the college and of your field, or any of the alumni and see if you can get their opinion of the campus life and classes. There were some rough times during my school years, but so many more good times that it was powerfully outweighing. Look into getting involved with campus activities for fun, and to help out with your future career. Look for people who can help you get ahead in your intended major once you choose a location. If times get overwhelming, there are tutors for work, or staff/counselors/etc and friends to talk to. The experience of a degree may seem difficult, but push through and it will make a difference in the end: a more stable future.

The truth is a college tour will never make you 100 percent sure about where you "should' go. Half the things they tell/promise you during the tour usually aren't true (and that is anywhere you go!). I guess you just need to consider your likes/dislikes and get your own feel for the campus and surrounding community. Take a walk around town, check out the sites. Go into the Student Union's and grab upper-classman. Ask them the question you really want to know (ie: party life, academics, safety, financial aid accesibility, etc). Look around the campus, can you see yourself walking these same paths? Check out the Library and student centers! Go see a "real" dormroom, not the one they have beautifully show-cased. Ask questions! And finally, go home and relax. Yes this decision is a HUGE one, however, you aren't scenteced to a college for life! If you feel a college is for you, try it out. If you hate it, transfer somewhere else. Do not be afraid of the unknown because after a while you will learn the ways. And finally, go open-minded. College = a new experience to learn and grow.

Parents and students should work as a team before deciding on the right college. Look into a few major items in terms of what you can afford financially and what the students' needs are academically. At college, as a student, take full advantage of every opportunity the school has to offer. Involve yourself in every aspect possible, both, socially and academically. Don't be afraid to try new things. Also, look into scholarships, and all the financial aid possible. College should be some of the best years of your life, you should enjoy every minute of your time there. You should be proud to be gaining a higher education, and don't for a second forget what you are there to accomplish. These may be some of the best years of your life, get excited and enthralled to know that you will have an amazing time. Remember though it is all in the hands of the choices you make and how you want your college life to be. It can be a great experience or a bad one, the choice is yours.

Schools will advertise and promote aspects of student life that may or may not be true.

If an individual has the ability to network with the correct people they should heed the advice to go ahead and do that. Also, during the volatile economy at this moment I would suggest making a career out of college. As far as researching the best fit college. The logical way to do it is financially and not base it on institution rankings. No matter which college you attend, inititiative is what is valued in the work force.

Take into account the weather. If the weather sucks, you will be miserable and the entire experience will not be fun. Also, don't let landlords rip you off in your junior and senior years - they want to get you as tenants as much as you need a place to live, so look around wisely. Don't be afraid of going to a random party. Research the classes for your major and the teachers teaching them - they make a huge difference.

First off, make sure that you visit all the colleges you are thinking of attending and do an overnight. You will see the atmosphere of the school, and will get a real feel for how life usually is on that campus. Get to know people on campus--they will tell you what the experience is really like. Once you have made your decision, my advice is to get involved and stay involved! The people I knew who did not get involved were also the ones who would drop out, fail out, or transfer. The busier you are and the more involved you are, the more connected you feel to campus. So have fun, don't forget to study, and remember that you get out of the experience what you put in!

Make sure you visit your school and know your surroundings before you decide. I know it's a tough choice but always go with your gut decision. Once you pull into that main entrance during your visit you'll just automatically know whether it's right for you or not. Just remember don't stay in your room, keep your door open and allow yourself to meet new people and put yourself out there. Make yourself vulnerbale and you'll meet life-long friends and just maybe the one person you're going to spend the rest of your life with. If there is one thing I've learned it's to trust your gut and to never second guess yourself. College is for work yes, but go out there and have some fun once in awhile. Parents, let you kid go, don't breathe down there neck every five minutes. I know it's your baby but you don't want us to rebel against you and just go crazy also. Give your kid some space and they will have the best experience of their life.

Go with your gut instinct and after choosing one, go with it. However, determine what is really most important to you and look for that.

Although academic reputaion, variety of ways to get involved in extracuricular activities, and cost are all important things to consider, what matters most is how you feel when you step onto a campus. College visits are extremely valuable. Listen to your gut feeling. Whether or not you feel comfortable on a visit is the best indicator that a school is either right or wrong for you.

By talking to current students and professors, prospective students and their parents will be able to get an idea of what the school is like. I highly suggest visiting the school for a night and staying with a current student overnight to get a real feel of what life on campus will be like. Sitting in on classes and meeting with both freshmen and seniors will allow you to get an idea of the student body, academics, and overall experience at the college.

Visit the campus before you attend and make sure you are comfortable with the type of students there and with the professors. If you are unsure of what you want to major in, attend a school that has a wide variety of degree options. Go alone, or if your friend is attending the same school, don't room together because a random roommate is a good experience.

be involved

The best advice is simply don't worry. Don't worry if you don't get into the big university, don't worry if you don't get into your first choice school, don't worry if you don't make friends the first few days, and don't worry if your professor is a jerk. Everything will work itself out and fall into place. College is what you make of it and everything always happends for a reason. Be positive and have fun! College is the best time of your life.

let your kids go where they want or they will resent you for it. try and help them figure out what they really want to do in life before enrolling in school and make sure its the best school they could go to

I would be sure to first of all tell both parents and students to visit potential colleges/universities in order to get a feel for the atmosphere. If you aren't comfortable with the environment in which your school is located, chances are that won't change. Secondly, I would tell them to be sure they take care of any financial aid or assistance way in advance to avoid any last-minute end-of-summer rushes (I've had to go through that, and it was not fun!). I would also want them to know that even though a 4 year college may not seem affordable, there is so much aid available whether it be scholarships, grants, loans, or anything else. Don't feel trapped. Lastly, I would encourage them not to "settle" for something that they don't want. Life offers you so many different options - take advantage of them! College is an amazing experience, and everyone should have the opportunity to know the feeling of meeting new friends and recieving an amazing education that will surely take you places in life. In our world today, a college education isn't everything - but it sure means a lot!

To make sure your son/daughter or you, yourself, has the best college experience, I recommend NOT to attend SUNY Oswego. Its a trap. Instead, leave NY state and go elsewhere. Education is important and you pay too much money to get messed up by advisors.

When choosing a college to attend, definitely go to the school and get a tour. Talk to the students that attend the school, and more specifically the students in the major you are interested in. Don't rely on one person's opinion, but if you hear the same thing from more than one person then it's most likely true. Once you choose a school starts looking at clubs to join right off the bat. These look good on a resume and they can be a lot of fun. I studied abroad and it was the best thing I've ever done. Look into options that you might not have thought about before. College is the last four years to be a young adult and have fun before you enter the real world. So make the best of it and do anything and everything you can!

to really work on your course load first then have fun. also to keep your head on straight. to find the right college listen to yourself on what you would like and make sure you visit the campus