The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Top Questions

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

Stephen

Selecting the right college is hands down the biggest decision high school students and their parents will have to make. My best advice for students is to choose the college that simply feels like home, and NOT just attend one simply because your friends are. Secondly, get active! Participating in events around campus, such as volunteering, joining clubs, or even getting a job near campus can make your college experience all the more amazing. I have met some of my best friends in college from joining clubs my freshman year. Plus, it?s an awesome networking tool. It?s not every day one gets to go skiing 1,500 miles away in Colorado with their closest friends from 8 different colleges; its possible because we? re all active in YoungLife at our schools! It is said ?college is supposed to be the time of you?re life,? and as of right now I would have to agree. Once you have chosen the right school; get active, meet friends, have fun and make memories, but most importantly don?t forget to study!

Constance

i would advise parents and students to take tours of the schools before applying and maybe spend the weekend in the area just to get a feel of the atmosphere. i would also advise them to ask actual students of the school any of the questions they may have to guarantee that they get open, honest answers.

Ryan

Find a college that fits you. Don't listen to what anyone else says, and dont follow a love. And when you get there get involved!

REGINA

Best advice would be be sure that you are ready to be away from home, you can still attend school within the city and stay on campus, that way you'll still be out of your parents house, if going out of town parents let your child go without there car at least for the first year or semester. You make friends faster, learn the city better and stay out of trouble without a car. More then likely your roommates will become those long life friends make the most of that, they become your family away from home, they can help in every area staying on campus is the best way experience college. Last but not least develop long lasting, true relationship with your professors and their assistants, don't wait til the end of the semester when you need help to go to your professors. Enjoy because those four years will go by and then your in trouble because the good ole fun days are out the window, Real World here you come.

Danisha

I would recommend that you choose a school based on how well the institution works with the student and also other universities. I would also advise that you choose a school that has a good transportation system and is diverse.

Jackelyn

spend a few days on the campus and in the town of which you are planning on going. getting a feel for the environment will help you to figure out if the school is a place that you will want to live. All schools are different and you need to figure out which one you enjoy the most.

Kelly

research majors

Nkeesia

I believe it is very important to look at atleast 5 different college programs and campus before deciding. This is a very important step and it is best spent and will be satisfying and fun only if you like and enjoy your surroundings. Also, if possible, attend a college with a friend that you know you can be yourself with. During college years many different people will come around, but best friends are there to stay. It is also good to have someone with you at all times (like a "buddy" system) just to be safe both on and off campus. While visiting different colleges, be sure to ask a lot of questions about activities that you are interested in. Get involved, stay involved, and meet as many people as you can! : ) And most of all, have fun!

Cameron

Find a school that fits you. Don't go somewhere just because that's where your friends are going or for any other reason that that's the school you want to attend. Make sure they offer the major of your choice because not every school offers the same specialties and even if they do offer it make sure that it is highly regarded nationally and not the bottom of the barrel.

Julianne

visit, because you can't really get the feel of the campus without being there. Get involved in activities and actively seek out what interests you. It is very difficult to meet people and make friends if you are sitting alone in your room.

vivian

making sure you understand what you are going to college for. many times students pick school just because they want to follow their friends, but you have to realize that every college is not for you. i would advise doing research and being truely honest with ones self when decided on which college to attend. because once you realize that then it will make your college experience a lot easier!

Rebekah

Make sure you and your parents feel safe at school. Worrying about safety as a student makes it hard to focus on schoolwork and comforting concerned parents can be stressful too. One easy way to do this is by talking to other students, visiting the college campus and driving around the city, and going to orientation. Don't let crime dampen the excitement of going to school. Also, be aware of timelines and dates for forms like FAFSA and other aid opportunities; the early bird gets the worm! My last piece of advice is to research extracurricular activities. Although some students will have to juggle both work and school, clubs are a great social outlet. Environmental, drama, foreign language, or special interest clubs are a few found at UTC. Not only do they help connect you to your peers, they are a great way to network and "beef up" your post -graduation resume!

cari

The best advice for finding the right college is to do research. Look online at colleges that you are interested in and visit the campus, because what is on the website is not always the whole truth about the college.

Lauren

Explore the campus and the campus town before settling on a college. As for making the most of it, get involved. Go to the Dorm Hall meeting, join clubs, meet people.

Frederick

My advice would be to the student - visit the college of your choice while school is in session, this will give you a good fill for the day to day environment. Also, if you have a roommate to make sure you take time to get to know them, and you are compatible.

Keisha

In order to find the right college for a student, much information needs to be researched. Things that need to be researched are the differrent programs and or classed the college actually offers. Some colleges offer freshmen seminar programs to help students transition from the high school level to the college level. Freshmen seminar is a good program that students should look for. Also students should have an idea of what their major may be and talk to an advisor in college to start planning classes or activites they may want to take to further their education. Coaches for a specific college should also be contacted because many students who play sports in high school miss out on the college level because they fail to take that chance. Housing should also be looked upon because that may be where the student spends the majority of his or her time. Different financial procedures should also be looked at like work-study and grants. Always look for scholarships even if it doesnt seem to be going well. Scholarships are free money that parents do not have to come out of thier pocket for.

Michael

My advice would be to choose a school that would allow you to earn the degree you want and to be a school that has a good reputation.

Bradley

If I could give future college students advice about finding the right college, I would tell them to visit the campus frequently so that they have a pretty good idea of what their environment would be like. I would also tell them to be familiar with the town or city that is near the campus. I would also let them know that they may want to talk to other students that go to that college through instant messaging or online so that they can get other students' opinions of the campus. As far as making the most out of their college experience, I would suggest that they stay focused on their academics, but they should also have social time to keep a healthy balance in their life. Another important issue I would address is the college diet. Eating healthy and right also contributes to a wonderful college experience because you are more aware of your surroundings, and you will, more than likely, keep a positive attitude that could very well rub off on the other students.

ashley

Look for a school that closely supply what you want from your education. Look for a school that "feels" right when you visit before making any decisions on schools. You will know based on what you want if the school is right for you.

Emily

Find a college that is a good size for you. If you go to a very big college, you won't have the same kind of relationships with your professors. They probably won't even remember your name like they might at a smaller college. Make sure the college you go to has the major you are interested in.

Diana

I would advise students to make sure they find a college that has a degree program they are interested in and the appropriate amount of students. Also, don't just look at the school. Pay attention to the surrounding areas: the city, art, coffee shops..etc. As an incoming freshman, sign up for SOMETHING. It doesn't matter what it is. A club sport, a political club, a service club. Sign up for something so that you can become involved on campus and have the opportunity to meet new people. Parents should listen to their child and understand what they want out of their college because this is going to be a big part in their life and they should make the decision. Make sure there is a good advising office and tutoring if the student has learning problems. Just try to find a college that is going to make the student the most comfortable and accepted.

Allie

Find what you want to do as your career and search for the college or university that has the best program or department for what you want to do. Contact that/those colleges and/or universities and talk to them about their programs that you are interested in, then request as much information about the program that you can. Talk to your parents about the college compare and contrast a couple of few choices and narrow it down until you find "the perfect match" for you.

Kevin

Make sure you talk not only to faculty and staff, but also to students because we are the ones who make the experience!

Jared

Obviously, they need to do research about the school's academic qualities but I also feel they need to visit the schools they are considering so they can get an overall feel for each school. Ask students how they feel about their school and not just the ones who are paid to give the tours. They also need to visit the town that surrounds each school, if there is one, so they can see what kind of activities there are. Although I feel that academics are the most important part of school, students need more things to do than just go to school and party on the weekends. I know that I, personally, would have had a much harder time at my school so far if there weren't so many things to get away and go do, whether it was something outdoors or in the downtown area. Lastly, I think it's important to decide just how far a student wants to be from their family. I like the ability to be on my own but it is nice to see my parents regularly without it being a large, costly ordeal.

Thomas

Finding the right college for you is a combination of finances, living environment, and the school's locations. Whichever school choice best fits these criteria will allow you to find everything else a student is looking for in college. It is easier to find people with whom you share things in common when going into an environment that you feel most at home. With these friends by your side, any student can discover all the areas of college that lead to a succesful college career both academically and socially.

Lindsey

Take a tour of the campus and ask students about their experiences.

Courtney

I believe any college is the RIGHT choice. You just have to make THAT college your OWN experience.

Heather

That the parents should let their children live on campus and actually let them have their freedom. And to choose the right college is to just go and look, make a pros and cons list about the universities that you are choosing from. And go with your gut.

Brandon

Pick a college that feels right to you. go and visit as many as you can. stop a student on a campus you visit and ask him/her some questions. see if you can talk to professors or administrators. do as much homework as you can about the institution and make sure they put as much into campus/ social life as they do academnics, because college is a life learning experience not just an academic one. parents- let your child be the one to make the decision, he/she is the one going. students- keep in mind your parents are paying, and they just want the best for you. above all learn from your professors and learn from the students around you, both of them will help you succeed in life.

Tijuana

For the students, don't let your parents influence your entire decision as to where you want to go. Also, don't let money be a problem when it comes to selecting the college that you want to go to because there will always be money available. To the parents, I would have to emphasis that it is NOT you going to college--this is not your second chance. If your child picks a college that either you don't like or you don't quite approve, just be helpful because, remember, this is a big time and telling your child what to do will only make this more difficult.

Tara

It is very important to view the college -and if there is an overnight visit one should take it. It's better to invest time in researching a college you decided not to go to than no time in a college you do go to. Looking students on visits should try not to only talk to students giving the tours -they often only have great things to say about the school- but also the students hanging around the campus to get a real unedited scoop. Students should consider the fact that college is not going to be like high schools and their friends might not be there, so therefore some might want to consider the types of people they will be intereacting with to ensure a comforable fit and the ability to make friends. You don't want to feel out of place and lonely if you are unable to relate to or scared to talk to different people.