Texas State University Top Questions

If I could go back to high school and give my "past-self" some advice about college life, the first thing I would tell myself is that college is not like a TV Show. The friends you had in high school most likely won't be the people that you remain life long pals with. College opens you up to so many new experiences and through these experiences you learn so much about yourself, and you'll find that life might take you in a different direction than your friends. I'd also let "myself" know that college is much harder than high school but with perseverance I could graduate at the top of my class. Finally, I'd let "me" know that quarters are like gold in college when you're paying for laundry machines and living off vending machine food and that bad roommates make for great conversation starters later in life.

Have a general idea on what you want to do when you graduate, and if you narrow down the schools, visit them, and whichever one you feel most comfortable with, that should be your first choice. i chose my school in the end because of the beautiful campus and the people were very nice.

They say college is supposed to be one of the most memorable times of a young person's life. I believe that to be true, but college can also be very stressful and hard to adjust to. As a returning sophomore at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas I am able to say that I am happy to have survived my first year as a college student. Adjusting to many late night cramming sessions and Saturday football games can take it's toll on a new young student's life. It is a time where you are so excited but so scared you are not sure what to do first. My advice, get involved! There are so many activities to become involved in. Not only so MANY activities, but activities that fit anyone's lifestyle. Whether you're into going green, baseball, or even anime... there will be something for you! Becoming involved with an actitivity on campus is one of the easiest, healthiest ways to get to know your new campus community. So go out there and get involved!

First of all, it's obviously most important to choose a place where you will get a great education, and lead you to your career. Besides just considering that, it's also important to choose somewhere that you will feel comfortable. It's always good to take advantage of the campus days that the schools hold for prospective students. There you can really get a feel of the campus and determine if you could see yourself there or not. If your a real "home-body," like myself, it might also be good to choose a place not too far from home, that way if you needed anything, you could get there fairly soon. To make the most of your college experience, besides studying hard (which is most important!), get out and socialize! Join a club, sorority or fraternity, volunteer on or off campus, go to career fairs, there are so many things you could do to meet people and get the most out of being there. Everything on campus is to benefit you, so take advantage of it!

The first thing you should do is figure out your priorities. The number one priority for a student searching for the right college is the availability of the major he or she wishes to pursue. Then ask yourself some questions. Do you want to find a 2-year or 4-year university? Public or private? Does distance play a major role in your decision? Do you care for the quality of the campus? What about safety and security? Once you have all the basics covered, go online (your best source for this kind of information) and start your homework. You must do research before you make the final decision! And if it helps to talk to a representative of the school you are researching, find a number and call. Make sure all your questions are answered. Then figure out the costs, the biggest concern for most parents and future college students. College costs have a wide range. Calculate your budget and apply for as many scholarships as you can run into, which can be found online and/or at any college financial aid office. And whatever you do, don't stress!

For any prospective college student or parent of a prospective college student, I recommend visiting all Universities that students are interested in before deciding on one. Talk to the students on campus and members of any organizations that the student would be interested in joining, if they went to that University. After making a final decision, learn everything about your future college life and take advantage of every opportunity available. Once you move on to your college campus, join any clubs and organizations that sound attractive to you. To get the most out of your college experience, you have to put yourself out there to see where you best fit in. Talk to your teachers and advisors, they are there to help you with any diffucluties that may cross your path. You are not alone at college, there are always faculty and students to help you along your way. Also, parents don't forget to send care packages during the year. It is always nice for students to know that their parents are thinking of them.

Have plenty of money and there is a definite class line concerning money.

If money is a problem it would probably be best to attend a local community college in order to get basic classes out of the way. This will give the student an extra two years to think about what college he or she would like to attend, and what major they would like to persue. Whenever a young person first enters a College or University they are in a new world with a clean slate. It is important that young person remembers all of the morals and teachings their parents bestowed upon them, and keep in mind what is right and wrong. But College is also a time for growth and self discovery as well. New College students should be bold enouph to step outside of their comfort zones in order to meet new people and try new things. Everyones college experience is different. Just try and remember that College is for learning not for partying.

I believe a lot of students tend to look at college as an escape from home and something owed to them by their parents; outlooks which definitely carry immature tones. Instead maturity, patience, and plenty of communication should be plentiful on both sides (the student and the parents) as they work as a team, endeavoring to select a suitable college. Both the student and parent(s) should actively research colleges that appeal to them, later bringing their selections to the table for discussion. Afterwards, once the choices are narrowed down visits should be scheduled to give the student and parent(s) a real look at the college and not just what the pamphlet chooses to reveal. The student should see college as a place to grow while being a beacon of what their community, parents, and themselves would like to have portrayed. So many people have worked hard to get them to their current point of "success" that it almost seems as a given that one should attend college. Students should get involved, make friends and never forget where they came from and who helped them along the way. College is truly and experience to be cherished.

To parents, I would say to give a little slack on their children. College is an opprotunity to discover one's identity and to be able to see if they are ready to fly from the nest. But don't loosen the chain too much, the students will have to know they have your support, emotionally and economically. For the students, I would say to experience as much of the college as you can. Here you will meet various amounts of people, different types too. Don't be afraid to step out of you high school bubble and meet new people. Also, join some organizations, you will be able to learn a lot through those, and it is another way to meet people. Remember, the friends you meet in college will be the friends you have for life.

If the students are leaving off to college just to get out of their house, think twice! College is tough and mom is not going to be there. Try to take as many courses back at your community college that will save you lots of money and won't mess up your gpa!!

I recommend looking at the campus first before attending. I recommend looking at how much it is going to cost and how small or big the classes are. I suggest that the student attending the college should figure out what kind of atmosphere they can adjust with. The student should feel right at home and feel eager to attend the school rather than homesick. The student should feel comfortable visting the campus. They should not have any regrets. The student should also look at what activities they can get involved with at school that way they can get there mind off of being homesick and socialoze with other students on the campus. the student should feel safe and comfortable while attending. This is how you find out what college is suitable for the student. It just depends on how they feel about the school.

The search for a college can definately prove to be time consuming and stressful but 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} worth it in the end. The more you really dig and look at every resource you can find about each college the more you will feel comfortable. Remember your always going to have those jitters and hesitations about each college, thats normal. You are making a decision regarding the next 2-4 years, possibly more, years of your life. You want a school that will provide you with a strong program for your major. When I was searching for a college for me it came down to 2 schools; same quality of degree program, almost same distance from home, same social atmosphere. The kicker for me was the campus. I ended up picking the campus that I felt was as close to home as i could get. My campus is covered in parks and soothing outdoor environments that I truly have found comforting in certain times. One other major rule, do not go to a school to follow a high school best friend/boyfriend/girlfriend/anything. High school is over and this is a time to rely on yourself and venture out.

Go ahead and apply to the colleges you liked, but when you get accepted, look at them a little more, then choose the perfect one. Look into the ones you liked the most. Look financially, look at what they offer, and then take a look at the campus. Don't choose the one that, from a far, seemed like the perfect place to go. DON'T go somewhere because someone else told you it would be good. GO SOMEWHERE YOU WANT TO GO!

I would advice the parents and students to choose a college that is located in a safe and friendly environment. Finding the right college can be difficult, therefore I advice the parents and student to visit the college and make sure that the school offers the major that the student is interested in. It is important that the student and parents choose a school that has a good educational background and highly qualified teachers. It is also important for them to choose a college that is filled with friendly students that are just as eager to learn and make something of themselves as the student is. In order to make the most of the college experience it is crucial that the student is comfortable with the environment of the college. It is also important that the student attend the college with an open and eager to learn mind. Another way to make the most of the college experience is to get involved with the campus activities and join organizations to allow themselves to make a great deal of new, and hopefully long life friends.

Don't settle for less make sure if u want that school to be your school go for it.

Keep an open mind, always give it your best, and don't be afraid of others judging you.

One of the first decisions that should be made is whether a student wants to go to college far away or close to home. I know of several students who live far from home, yet they go home every chance possible. My college is not in a big city, which is okay for me but others do have a problem with it. Another point to consider is if the college of choice is affordable for your income. Making sure that the college offers the programs that you're interested in is very important. It is also important to find out what type of resources a college offers. The key to making the most of a college experience is to get involved in some way, it could be through church, dorm activities, student organizations, or fraternities/sororities. I've found several friends through a bible study that I attend. I do not participate in my dorm's physical activities, but have gotten closer to people in my dorm thorugh other activities that have been offered. I propose getting out of the dorm room as much as possible, even if it means sitting in the dorm's lobby and doing some homework.

For students I would let them know that college is the best time of their lives and to enjoy every moment of it because after your done thats it you can never go back.

Selecting your path after high school is a crucial decision. When moving into a world away from family and structure you must have a clear plan with tools to help you reach your highest potential. It is important to write out academic, personal, and financial goals. Once you have developed goals you must articulate the tools you will need to reach your goals. Be open and willing to discuss these goals and tools often. You will need to discuss who is responsible for your specific tools and add a time frame to these goals. It is always okay to revise, edit, and add new goals to your plan. Dream big!

Go and visit the campus and research what the school has to offer educationally and socially. Also look at the area around campus and what there is to do when you want to get away.

First of all, I would say definitely complete your basics at a community college. It is a lot cheaper and the classes are small like in high school. It is a good transition stage. As for choosing the right University. Don't choose one just because your boyfriend or your best friend is going there. It may be right for them and completely wrong for you. Choose the University that fits your needs and your beliefs. You want a college that is strong in your study. Also, get involved. I am very shy and it is hard, but I know that once you find friends and get involved in sports or different clubs you will find your way into the heart of the University.

In looking for a college make sure it fits the child that is attending it. College helps build people up and if someone is not happy there then that can not happen. Its not all about money as it is with the quality of experience a person will recieve

Decide what you want to achieve when you're done with college, and then choose a college that will help you achieve that goal. Think about your learning styles and how different sized classes will fit in with them. Take into account available transportation and living situations. Your best friend will not necessarily make a good roommate. Definitely have fun but don't forget the reason why you're there.

Visit the campus will school is in session. If you know someone already at that school, visit them for a couple of days. Go to class with them, stay in a dorm room. It's important to get a feel for the school before making such an important decision. If this is your first time away from home, you may want to consider distance as a factor.

Look for a college that is community oriented- where you can get involved in the community. I would also make sure to get involved on campus- with the different clubs and organizations.

To parents: When selecting the right school for your child, make sure that the universtiy is not only going to be academically stimulating but it also needs to encourage participation in extracuricular activities, intramurals, clubs, or other organizations. The schools that do not offer participation in these other types of organizations leave students lacking a sense of pride in ones accomplishments at their university. Those students that have the opportunity to become more involved have a greater sense of community amongst their classmates and also have the chance to gain better leaderships skills that will improve their work ethic in the future.

When searching for that best school for your student, keep in mind that every aspect at that school counts. Yes, grades are very important but what is also important is getting your student involved on campus. Getting involved on campus will not only transition your student into the college scene, but they will find and meet their friends for life there! Joining a club/organization can really be life changing for a student.

Discover what you like by visiting various colleges that appeal to you. This way, you get first hand knowledge about what it is like to attend the school. Pay attention to the students, the activities offered, the campus layout, the weather, and the overall appeal of the city in which the college is located. Liking the city you are in always helps with enjoying the college. If you are not able to visit a college, the Internet is your best resourse for finding out what others say about the college. When you have been accepted into the college of your choice, make the next few years count, but keep your head on your shoulders. Since this is the first time to live away from home for most students, some people find it difficult to juggle schoolwork and their social life, where they either fail out or end up making other bad decisions. Think ahead and schedule time with yourself to work on school so that when your friends call you, you can go out and don't have to miss out or fail that test in the morning. Keep your head up and enjoy the best years of your life.

Visit the school you are thinking of attending to get a feel for the atmoshpere it offers and make sure it caters to you more than you would to it.

Don't be afraid. Fear is the biggest anchor weighing you down. To parents- dont MAKE your child go to the school you went to, let them choose. To students- listen to your parents, they are wiser then give them credit for. As for the college experience; it is what you make it. A school is only a 'party school' if you party. A school is only an 'academic school' if you study. Work hard and don't throw that time away, after all you paid for it so you might as well get your monies worth. Don't be afraid. Live. Try new things, meet new people.

Visit the campus first, be open minded and set your priorities in the right order.

College is a big step up from High School, so I'd recommend really researching the college before you apply anywhere. By research, I mean actually asking for brochures from the college, going to the college websites, going to see the college in person, etc. Personally I actually prefer going to the colleges that you have in mind is always the best way to go to figure out which college you like. Also, I figure once you have actually seen the college with your own eyes and saw the faculty and staff on campus, it will narrow your decisions down of which colleges to choose from. Yes, choosing a good college for yourself or your child is somewhat difficult, because there are so many things you have to keep in mind when choosing a college; but in the end it will be worth it, because YOU make your college experience happen, not the college itself.

Be sure and weigh out your options. Do not automatically go with your first acceptance, unless you are one hundred percent sure that this is where you want to be. If extra-curricular activities are important, research these and how important they are on campus. Enjoy your college experience. Have fun, but keep your head focused. Everyone deserves a break from studying and school, so be sure and allow yourself to do so!

Parents, I know its hard, but let your students have most of the say in what school they want to attend. Your student is after all the one who will be living there and attending classes. Students, after you narrow down your college choices make sure you visit all the campuses and ask questions while your there. Maybe sit in on a class or just ask someone passing by on campus what they think about the university. As far as making the most of your college experience remeber students that you are attend college to get a job so make sue you keep your grades up! But on the other hand dont be all work and no play college is supposed to be some of the "best years of your life" so make friends have fun and get invoved in activities that intrest you. Rember as you have the time of your life at college your parents probably miss you so drop them a line every so often.

I would say to the students to get really involved in as many extra activities as they can. Staying busy keeps you out of trouble and that goes for any college. To the parents I would say let your children make their own mistakes; do not make them go to a university just because you like it.

This is probibly the first time I've been asked to give advice, usually I'm asking for it. One of the main criteria when looking for the right school is, beleive it or not, the city it's in. If you love the university but hate the city, it's a conflict of interest and it will be hard to be loyal and grateful to a school in a surrounding area you don't care for. Another factor is size, too small and it may not feel like college, too big and you may get swallowed into the system. Everyone is different but keep in mind that this is still school, you are going to college to learn, so do your research! look up their academic ranking, visit it, check into how hard it is to get into, these will all give a good idea as to what standard they hold their students to, and therefore what kind of academics they provide.

First of all, both parent(s) and student should visit the college campus multiple times. That way, you can get the true feeling of the everyday "flow" on campus. IF the student has a friend that attends the university, stay a weekend with them. That way the student can get the feel of college life from a student's perspective. Lastly, create a pros and cons list of the top three universities that were visited. This helps narrow down which school fits your wants and needs best. Parents need to keep in mind that this is their child's first chance to be an adult.

well just come visit im 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} confident that u will fall in love with san marcos and texas state university!

Find a place where you know you can find both a quiet place to study and a group of friends that will never let you feel lonely. You need to know where you are going is a safe place for you. Make sure you have the option of joining a club your first year so you are involved in the school somehow. Don't ever doubt a place unless you've visited. If you feel like you've found the right place, go with your gut feeling. Don't be afraid of going against what your parents taught you. Live your life to it's full potential. To reach your full potential, you must reach your goals and achieve your dreams. If your dream is to get a tattoo, then so be it. You will remember that night forever. Making the most of your college experience is being able to look back and love what you did.

I would advise to thoroughly research the college they plan to attend. If possible, it would be helpful to visit the campus. It is important to know the student teacher ratio, cost to attend, financial aid opportunities, and extracurricular activites. I would encourage the student to become involved in order to take advantage of the college experience. Get to know your teachers and teacher assistants well since they determine your final grade. Attend review sessions and office hours. Volunteer and give back to the community too.

Choose the college that feels right for you. You can turn any college into the college that you want it to be, but if the environment is not right and if the campus does not offer the services you need/want, you may not be that happy with your selection. It's a gut feeling that you get when you walk onto a campus- if you feel like you belong there, you probably do. Any school can lead to great oppurtunities and any school can be turned into a party school; it is up to the student to decide what their college experience will be like. Get involved with clubs/sports/organizations, or something on campus; it's a great way to meet people. Live on campus for at least one year, it's a once in a lifetime experience and you can make friends and memories that last forever. Get to know people that share your major, it's a good way to get study buddies and it's nice to see a friendly face in class. And more than anything, don't take the experience for granted; enjoy every moment of it .

Figure out what you want to study and choose the school that is best for that.

Lots of research. Somewhere that the student will enjoy, challenge them academically and also be financiably reasonable for both the parent and the student.

Be sure to look around at a lot of colleges so that you have choices in making your dicisions.

FOR STUDENTS TO FOLLOW THEIR HEART AND TO ALWAYS GO WHERE THEY FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE AWAY FROM HOME... ALSO LIMIT THE LAZINESS AND PARTYING BECAUSE IT WILL JUST PUT YOU BEHIND. TO PARENTS: HELP YOUR CHILDREN OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BUT ALLOW THEM TO STUDY AND MAJOR IN THE AREA THEY FEEL THEY WILL EXCEL AT IN THE FUTURE.

College is the time of your life and it an important step in becoming an adult. Choosing the right college is of course a crucial part of that. Take time to think of what would make you most happy and have fun.

Visit a campus first and pick the campus that best suits your personality and onet hat also offers the major you'd like to persue.

I'd say look for what you want to do out in the real world first and see what kind of programs ar offered that can get you there. Once you have done that then you need to go and check out the college and make sure that it is a right fit for you. Check out how big it is how many people are in classes that you are interested in, the location. Then once you start at the college of yoru choce make the most out of it and don't hold back. Do what you want to do get done what you need to get done and have fun doing it.

Before you decide what college or university you want to attend, you need to look at your purpose as to why you are going to futher your education. Think about what you want to major in and if the school offers a degree in the field you desire. If you are unsure of your major, look into a school that offers a wide range of majors for when you decide on one in particular, it is most likely offered. On a less difficult decision, think about your social life. Consider the questions: Would I want to be in a fraternity or sorrority? What kind of organizations would I want to be involved in? Do I want to be in any organizations at all? After discovering more about what you want in your college experience, research colleges and universities that offer what suits you. Narrow your choices around five schools and schedule a visit and tour each campus to get acquainted. Usually after a visit, you can just feel which college or university you belong to. From there is when you know you will have the greatest college experience because you really sought out to find which is best for you.