The University of Texas at El Paso Top Questions

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

andrea

When looking for a college it is important to find a place that focuses on what you want to study. The campus is also very important because this is the place where you will probably be for the next three or four years of your life. Because changing schools may be difficult, consider all of your possibilities and be absolutely sure you love the school you pick out, or at least that it is the best choice. Another important factor for me was the diversity at the school. It is imperative that teachers and other faculty members accept you and treat you with respect. If you notice that one or more individuals are rude you may want to consider whether or not you will be able to handle that atmosphere, or if you want to deal with those personalities as long as you are there. Or at least find someone that you know will help you and support you throughout your college experience, such as a teacher or a counselor.

Brenda

The student should have some idea of the field they are interested in, i.e. am I a business person or perhaps medical or science? Research that department and find out which courses are offered, do they incorporate your interests? Make sure the resources necessary are available; for science students it is important that labs are adequate and field studies are offered. I believe that geography and climate are very important, the student needs to be happy with the surroundings and the extra-curricular activities that are available. Socialize with your peers, this is not only psychologically healthy but spending on and off time with fellow students encourages the learning process. Also , keep focused on school and the opportunities it affords. I ended up on the 30-year plan, I somewhat regret this because I should be comfortable in my career by now. I'm proud to be here but I certainly do not recommend it to prospective students! Use your resources...ask questions...most professors appreciate a student's interest, remember you are not supposed to know the stuff you are there to learn.

Miguel

Do a good research, and try to visit campus before enrolling.

Gerardo

First of all, think it is important that they know what career they are seeking so they can research for a college with the best resources for their career. Once you found the right college or colleges make sure not to precipitate with your choice so you can feel comfortable to live and learn. I suggest to choose a college closer to home due to the fact that there are times where family support is crucial.At the same time try to sign up for scholarships to help your family as well as yourself achieve the dream of going to the college of your choice. To enjoy college there is only one suggestion that I can give, get involved! There are hundreds of activities, groups, and clubs that are available for all types of people. Most importantly do not be shy and enjoy life as it comes.

Christopher

Students need to allow their parents to get involved with the decision.

Ruth

Parents, if your child does not get the perfect A try to understand this is not high school it is alot more challenging! Students, although class is not mandatory and your parents will not be notified for poor attendance or effort, still try your best. Imagine making the same amount or even more than your parents when you get out of college. And when you get good grade you can get internships that pay GOOD!! Not only is having an internship good pay but they truly work with your hours. You need to be involved and make connections with people around you as well as the people in your field. Lets face it this world is not always what you know but who you know, so make the connections now so when you graduate you have your foot in the door. If you get to know your teachers they can help let you know of excellent college opportunites and internships in your area plus if you miss class and have a reasonable excuse, they may let you make up any assignments missed. Try your hardest, do you best, and get involved.

Jorge

take a lot of views and have many options to choose the best school for you and your carreer

Noemi

Advice I would give to anyone looking for the right college is first and foremost to check it out. Make sure that they have various options in the field of study you plan to take and be prepared for everything. Some teachers are awesome and help you out while others are not lenient at all. Explore different careers to see what you really enjoy doing because having money isn't everything if your not happy with your career. Be active in your community and make friends that have similar interests and goals as your own. These friends will help you out in the long run and you can always use the competition as motivation. Develop a relationship with your professors because they too, are there to help you and can be useful as references. Lastly, have fun, but in moderation, college is just another experience that will ultimately shape you into the man or women you are destined to be.

Laura

Just work on school and finish fast to get to living the real life faster.

Stephanie

A good college experience can be found easily if you know what you want. Based on your choice in major, the college you select can play a large role. One of the main reasons I choose the University of Texas at El Paso was the fact that they offer the degree I plan to recieve. Another important aspect of your college experience is the activities you participate in. There are many different activities to look into and if there is not one that meets your expectations you are encouraged to create your own organization. Being active in school allows students a chance to meet a variety of people. Being acquainted with others allows you to form relationships on campus. Whether you become good friends or good chemistry study buddies, it adds to your college experience. Being active and having a strong support group will help any student battle the stress and responsibilites that comes with college. College can be a time of stress. Its important to recognize when you are getting stressed and take the time to releive the stress by working out or by simply talking to a friend or family member.

Jessica

The University of Texas at El Paso has alot to offer.

toni

Don't try to push your children to fulfill dreams of yours in the past. It is their future and let them choose the school that is right for them... do not force them to live your life that you wish you lived as a student. I believe parents need to be more open minded about campus visiting and do thorough research!

Jami

I would first check on the degree that your child is interested in. See how big the classes are and if you have anyone who specializes in what they want to do. Also check the dropout rate and the graduation time. My college it is not uncommon for people to graduate in 5 to 6 years. You want to see check financial assistance and make sure you can get the best deal for your childs education. Everyone can go to school for free if they just look.

Luis

There is a lot of consideration and circumstance that goes into selecting ?the right school? for a student; above all, the right school should be the school the student wants to attend. Therefore it is important to be prepared before finalizing a decision as important as which college one will attend. The selection process begins in high school; meaning that if a student has a desired school already in mind, he should research that school, take into account the criteria for acceptance, and prepare him/herself. By not being prepared, the student limits his options?maybe losing the school initially desired which might have been the best fit. A parent should oversee and guide the student?s selection with the student?s best interest in mind. Do not make the decision for the student. The college experience should be enjoyed, however not too much. In order for it to constitute a ?college experience,? one would actually need to attend college, not just bars in and around the campus. Make sure school is the priority. The real experience is in interacting with other students, being exposed to other cultures ideas, etc. The student grows by developing relationships with other people.

Bridget

Look for teacher/student ratios. Look beyond big school recognition. Sometimes small scaled schools can offer just as much if not more education.

Olufemi

Parents should asssist their children first to detect their talents, pilot them to selecting a right career, then, look for a school where that course is offered. When students make a wrong choice in their selection, they may dropout later after they must have wasted time and money. Parents can search the internet, visit some nearby schools, or seek for advice from experts in that line. After that, parents should ensure that their children have a good GPA that will qualify them for the course of their choice. Because many schools base their selection on good standing GPA points. Students, who have never left their parents in their life, should be allowed to attend nearby schools where they will have opportunity to monitor his or her performances on weekly basis. Also, mobility should be considered in selecting a School. There is no point selecting a school where easy access to mobility will pose a big problem, otherwise this will affect school attendance trmendously. Parents are good factor in selecting a school.

Amanda

In order to find the right college it is totally up to you but I would tell them that the University of El Paso at Texas would be the correct choice to choose. Make the most of your college experience because you only have four years to make it the best that it could be.

Timothy

Not to think about others, to be selfish and think about themselves. this is their lives. they only get one shot at college so make the best of it. don't make the same mistake i made by staying for an ex girlfriend that breaks up with you three months after you rejected your first choice college at The University of Texas at Austin.

Chris

When looking for the right college it is important to look at the area that the college is located. This is where you will be staying for at least four years assuming you are going for your Bachelor Degree. If you do not like the atmosphere or the surrounding environment you will not enjoy going to school and it is more likely that you will do worse there then some place that you do like. However you do not want to go to a place with too many distractions, having fun is important to do while you are in college, but the number one goal and your job is to get an education. So make sure to visit the colleges that you think will fit you. As for making the college experience an enjoyable one, go out and meet new people. There will be a wider variety of friends than high school and you may even make better friends. College is a great chance to make life long connections that will be important later on in your career. The most important thing is to have fun college is just the beginning, just make sure your homework is done.

Samantha

Make sure the campus has the possible degree programs you are interested in. If you are interested in the Greek life, make sure the University has a strong Greek program. If you are the kind of learner who needs small classrooms and more one-on-one time with the teachers, opt for a university with smaller classrooms. Also, look for the type of extraciricular activities you enjoy. If you love sports, look for a college with many sports programs. If you love the arts, look for a university with a strong theater department., or if you enjoy nature, look at the surrounding area. When chosing a college make sure the climate is something you will enjoy. Once you have found a list, take virtual tours online. Visiting a campus is the best way to determine if you would like it. It is very important to maximize your college experience, so chose carefully, and look into all the possible options. The best time to start looking and narrowing down is when you are a sophmore in high school. Do NOT wait until your senior year to look.

Noemi

Make sure that you always plan ahead and visit all your choices before you decide where to go. Make sure you have time, money, and plan out your spending habits.

Irvin

You need to know what your going for first and foremost. Then from there give it all you got on that college or university. Parents respet your son or daughter's decision and give them your full support and let them know that your are backing them up 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the way. As well as tell them that they need to focus and work hard to get a really good career and a very great future.

Jennifer

Don't make your child go to school if they are not interested you will waste time and money. Encourage them to go but don't make it manditory. Let your child choose the major of his ir her choice after all they are going to be the one who has to work in that field for the rest of their lives.

Carla

Make the most of your time in college and don't get to stressed out. With this in mind, look for a friendly college at which you can find friends and administrative support .

Joshua

try to find scholarships to help pay for school and try not to have to have a job that works too many hours or get in the way of studies. don't go to a college cause of a boy/girl. you may end up regretting it. and when choosing a school don't focus so much on outside activities but rather how good the learning is. many companies like hiring smart people because you can teach smart people anything (Microsoft corporation executive's look for that).

Michelle

Searching for the right college is not easy. Parents and students looking for colledges must first look at the environment. Some people have difficulty going to school when they are seperated from their family or those close to them. If you are a person who is fine with living away with your family, dorm and apartment expences should be takin into account, as well as transportation. Sometimes people do not relize that living in a dorm or apartment may mean needing a job to pay for all of their new expenses. All though all of these things are imortant, the most important thing about searching for the right college is whether the college is right for your major. Always search for the best colleges that will help you find your career, and take a trip to your college to view the environment. Rather than it be a surprise, take a tour to see the whole place: the areas you will be eating, studing, learning, and socializing as you advance in your studies. This is my advice to you; do not pick a college without setting foot inside. Get to know your environment.

jose

look everywere there is help available

Anthony

Students and their parents should take the time out to research any prospective schools in which they might be interested. Researching includes checking the school's website, mailing or phoning in for literature on the school, and even taking a road/plane trip to some of these colleges and attending a tour or an orientation. Visiting the campus and the city that surrounds it can make or break one's decision to attend that school. Once a student has settled into his or her freshman year ("settling" isn't necessarily synonymous with "beginning"), he or she should take care to seek out the various clubs and organizations that school offers. These can include fraternities/sororities, volunteering organizations, or special-interest clubs. There is virtually something for everyone, and it's easy to start up an entirely new club if this doesn't hold true. Students should do this early to meet new people and make new friends (most of whom are probably anxious about starting college themseleves). Finally, students should take advantage of the career/internship services offered after a few years so that the student can apply what he or she has learned in a relevant job before graduation.

Claudia

It is always important to know what to mayor in before deciding on a college so you can base your decision on the best option for that mayor. It is also very important to save up for college, for me all the fund I have available are whatever the goverment gives me, so early funding is something you child will always appreciate.

Marjorie

College is an endurance test. Your academic capabilities will be weighed and measured. Your financial resources will be drained. And there may be times where you will question your choice of majors and future career. The best peice of advice I can give any student is to get involved with organizations and internships that explore all of their interests. Being active in the university and professional development programs helps students to access whether or not they really want to make a career out of their academic focus. Not only this, it provides a break from the rigors of classwork. When participating in things such as internships or research, the student is actually able to see what they are working towards. They get to taste what their life and professional career will be like when they graduate. It is important to find a university that will support the student by allowing them to participate in activities related to all of their interests because this is how one is able to chose a career path--but more importantly, a life path. One should choose a university that gives them the oportunity to explore and develop all of a student's talents!

vivian

Research, and visit it. Don't let money hold you back.

Leslie

Pick somewhere with a great environment and encourage extracurricular activities or fun courses. Academics are important, but if you're not happy and feeling loved you are not making the most out of your college experience.

Alyssa

To all students, I would like to let everyone know that it is crucial to know how to study effectively (no more cramming the night before or a couple of hours before the test). If you are not used to doing real studying, it is very hard to get used to. Also, even when you think you have everything covered and taken care of, you should always have a plan B. You must always expect the unexpected so that you are never caught off guard. It is also very good to get involved with organizations on campus so you always know what is going on, and it is a great way to network. To all the parents out there, don't worry too much. It is a learning experience for your kids, and they have to grow up sometime.

Floyd

Lots of research and physical visits.

Macey

When finding the right college, first and foremost make sure that the college offers your major or degree. Some colleges are limited in what they offer. Another important thing to look for is whether the college is friendly and willing to help out with any problems. Sometimes the faculty at a particular college can be ill-mannered, which makes it harder for new students. If it is important, you can also make sure that the climate is acceptable, because many people prefer different things. Overall, you want to make sure that you will like the college, and they offer what you want. It is your decision, and no one can make it for you. Don't be afraid to go out and try new things, meet new people, because this is all a part of the college experience.

Karla

I would tell other students that have always had financial means to study, to really appreciate what their education is worth. There are many students (including myself) that have struggled inmensly to achieve attending such a wonderful university as mine, others do not have the opportunity because of financial means. My mother, without an education and of Mexican background, has struggled so much to bring us to this country so that we may take full advantage of education and its financial aid. I intend to do just that. Although my mother has gaven us an adequate life, I want to be able to give something back to her. I want her to know that all her struggle was worth it. I also want to set an example for my siblings so they can see the importance of education and follow my path. My mother chose this country for a reason, and I want to give a life to my children that she wasen't able to give to us. Education is not just important in life so that we may suceed, it is also important intellectually. Our minds is thirsty, and we must do anything to quench that thirst.

Wendy

First of all, I would say be active in High School academically and sporty. With that it will give you easy access to selected colleges/universities you have chosen. Get to know the student well so when you are ready to choose the college of your choice you may make the choice of the distance, life style, major, climate, land, culture and more... The one that has more of your choices is the college you should go to. Make the choice of what you want to do, not what your parents want you to do because I have learned is if you do what you want to do in life, you will make the best of it no matter how those that influence you put you down. What you choose is what you will be doing for your rest of your life until you go back to college and study a different career. When in college, be social, get to know your surroundings and people, study hard, don't procrastinate, and make sure you have some time for yourself so you dont overwhelm yourself.

Karla

It is seven am and my first day of new student orientation . I am nervous, I am scared, I am most of all excited because I picked a University that I know will suit me for my first year of college. When going through college brochures and applying, I found many amazing universities, however they were all so far away from home. My whole life I have had a strong bond with my family and friends and I was not ready to leave them, so I had to make a choice either attend the Univerisity that is only fifteen minutes away from home or attend the University I have always dreamed of. The choice was hard but I eventually came to terms and decided on the university close to home. I wasn't ready to leave home yet and nobody was forcing me to go elsewhere. I was able to go to a great university without any pressure. I learned to make the most of my experience by knowing that I was exactly where I wanted to be and I had all the support I needed from my friends and family. Knowing what you want is the key to happiness.

Jean

It is very important for students to make the right choice about college early on so that they can get their education overwith and move forward with their lives. I don't think enough emphasis is placed on picking your college in high school. They seem to wait until the student's senior year and that really isn't enough time. The next 4-8 years is probably the most important years of the student's life and molds their futures. Student's need to get out their and see the schools and what they offer so that they are ready when the time comes. I did it the hard way and I can't tell my children enough how important it is for them to do it the right way. Do your best in high shool so that your options are open and then pick your best school and make up your mind and get in and do your work and get out and live your life.

Bernadette

Visit the campuses of the colleges interested in. While there ask students their opinions of the school.

Marcella

When a student first gradautes, the majority would like to attend to a university out of there hometown. Most of the time because students want more freedom and want to be independent. What I would suggest to a student and a parent is that if they have a good college or university close by they should try to find out more information about it. Such as financial aid availability, tuition costs, tutorial help, how interested are counselors or advisors about the students career, and finally what careers are available to student? While a student find this information out they should also compare with other colleges and universitities and see the pros and cons. Such as if a student leaves there hometown or decides to stay how much money will the student pay overall. When a student leaves it is much more responsibility than when a student stays in there homwtown. Will the student focus more in there career if they stay at home or if they decide to leave there hometown? An advice to parents would be not to give up and that success in life requires challenges, but it's worth it.