University at Buffalo Top Questions

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

erynn

first thing, live on campus. You get to know the school so much better by being there all the time. If you really hate it you can move home the next semester(of you live close enough). The food may be gross and your room may be small, but the friends you make and the memories you create by living on campus greatly make up for both those things. Secondly, don't think of college as a continuation of high school, you may have been able to make it through those classes without studying or really doing much of anything, however in college you must study. You will not be able to get good grades without trying, there are no freebies in school. So teach yourself how to study now, before you get to college, believe me you will need it. Thirdly, take advantage of all the clubs and activities going on on campus, the will help you meet people and have a good time in the process. Lastly, find all the freebies your school has to offer, there are more than you think. Believe me, UB has free massages on wednesdays. one word: amazing! really just enjoy college :]

Courtney

If I were to back in time to highschool, I would tell myself that it is harder than anyone says and to keep up with the work, no matter how tough it gets. The key to the transition from highschool to college is to not be intimated by anything or anyone. My whole life I attended a private, small school and the hardest part of the transition was the cultural shock I experienced from college. I had never seen so many people in one place before. If I could go back, I would advise myself to make as many friends as I could and study at the library as much as I can. Because I live at home with my family as well because of financial reasons, I would advise myself to not let that hold me back from any activities at school. You only have one shot at college and the goal is to make the best of it. The final advice I would give myself is to never, ever give up. This is something my father always told me throughout my life, especially in highschool.

Matthew

I would tell myself to become more active in school activities and try to make more friends. I would also tell myself to go into media studies major and not environmental design as i had planned.

Emily

Don't worry Em, you'll get through this. You hit a snag, but its better it happened now while you're young, while you're strong. You got it out of the way. Don't you dare let this define you; and don't you dare let it hold you back. Learn from your mistakes. You are an intelligent, capable young woman. I know you want to dedicate your life to helping others, so remember that. And don't ever let yourself fall off that path. Always remember to take a moment and say to yourself, "Is this where I want to be? Is this what I want to be doing? Is this bringing me closer to my goals?" If you remember that, you'll make it no matter what. Don't worry about making friends, you'll be fine with that; but make sure you stay focused and keep your grades up. You'll need to be at the top of your class if you want to have a shot at a Nurse Anesthetist program. So keep your head up and don't forget to stop and take in the colors, they're beautiful. You go girl.

Kathia

Make sure to get everything done on time in terms of classes and graduating on time. As well as knowing what you want.

Nargis

Going into college from high school, the first thought is the end goal. Even before attending the first day of orientation, students are already visioning their graduation and more so the date. Advice that should be given is that, even though the curriculum is standard and traditional; there are many untraditional approaches to obtaining your degree while maximizing the abundance of opportunities that colleges afford. My advice would be to look beyond the box of mediocrity and venture forward with distinctive qualities that put you at the top. My advice would be to network, make sure people know your name and associate yourself with all that is good; academically, professionally and personally. Most importantly, my advice would be to bring out the best qualities of yourself.

Carol

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to think carefully about which career path I want to pursue. It is always hard to know what you want to be when you're still young, but it would help immensely in the long run. I would also tell myself that money should not be the main thing to focus on because it is more important to be happy. Money cannot give you the satisfaction you feel when you get to do something that you love.

Brian

The advice that I would give myself would to be to make sure i knew exactly what i knew i wanted to major in. I was originally going to History education, but did not realize the extent of information i needed for this degree. I took some classes, and lost some money to realize that it wasn't for me. As a high school senior I would have put forth more effort into research as to just how much the work load for my chosen degree was. In doing that I could have saved valuable time and money.

Mike

College takes a lot of work. It is all about time management. It will be very tempting to play video games with Eric until the sun comes up and then sleep through all your classes. Instead, do your work and go to all your classes. Simple. Carefully plan out each day. You are smart and may be able to just get by with not going to class and just doing the homework, but you just can't do extraordinarily well this way. Go to class. Get a full night sleep. Follow your heart. You are good at calculus and science, but you are also a very talented musician. You have been playing for 2 years and you are as good as everyone in your section. Dad always tells you, "Engineering is where the money is, do that son." But you know you will be happier doing music. If you are unsure, make the core of your schedule gen eds. It is a bad idea to take a bunch of classes that aren't going to count for anything if you switch your major. Maybe just take a couple so you know if it's right for you. Remember: work hard.

Mark

Don't take college for granted. Go to class, everyday. Keep up on the readings and assignments. Don't get caught in the mess that I did.

Kayla

I would have told myself that I will have to stay very organized and make a schedule for each class and the work that needs to be done. Also make sure to ask for help when I need it. Its not always easy to keep up with the course work by yourself. There are TA's and help sessions that are there for assistance. It is very important that you start studying for exam at least a week in advance. It is easy to fall behind if not careful. One last thing is to make time for a social life as well. The only way to keep sain is by getting involved in between studying.

Steven

Back in high school the main thing that I would have told myself would be to challenge myself more than I did then. Sure I did take science classes like chemistry and physics and some AP classes in government and economics, but I could have challenged myself much more. I didnt take advatage of all the oppurtunities right in front of me not only on an academic stand point, but on a social stand point. My social life was second to school, which it should be. The problem with that though is my social life was greatly affected by my studies. If I could go back I would also allow more time to be sociable by trying out for more sports teams and even making at least one. I would have done power club and got in better shape so I could have had a better chance to make the teams that I tried out for. I would also have attended after school for other reasons than academic such as a club, or dance. I had plenlty of friends in school, but I lost touch with most of them after graduation, and I would have tried to prevent that.

Elizabeth

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a high school senior, prior to college, I would probably tell myself that it would get better. The transition is tough sometimes and it's easy to feel lost, but as long as you stay focused on long-term goals, you will do well. I would probably nag myself to study more, and worry less about what was going on in high school, because in six months none of those people would matter. I remember being afraid, so my current self might reassure the senior by reminding her that this was what she had wanted all along. That all the things she had worked so hard for, were just out of reach and if she would only stretch...just a little further, grow a little more, work just a little harder, she could have all of them.

Florinda

I would tell myself to try and do more out of school activities because I did some but not enough to really impress schools and scholarship committees.

Andrew

Work hard and have fun. The harder you work the more fun you will have.

Melissa

There are a couple words of advice that I would like to extend to students about finding the right college. Its important to have an idea of what career you would like to have. The reason for this is that there are liberal arts colleges and there are colleges that are focused mainly on the hard sciences. So to find the right college, you need to have an idea of what you prefer more: a college that focuses on reading, art, and music; or a college that has majors associated with physics, math, or chemistry. You should decide on whether you would prefer a large university or a smaller private college. This decision depends upon whether you think you would learn most efficiently in smaller interactive classes or large classes, and how much money you are planning on spending to earn your degree. What I found to be really helpful is to make a list of pros and cons for each type of college. Lastly, to experience college fully, I would recommend dorming and not commuting. I have tried both and found that by through dorming you develop a sense of responsibilty and community that you wouldn't otherwise develop.

Marina

Besides the academic status of the college, I think students and parents must know how internationally rounded the school is. Doesnt matter whether students are interested in international affairs or not it is important to know not onlyabout your own country but about countries from all over the world. It is important to know that there are always opportunities beyond your own boundaries. Foreign experience will greatly help in the domestic success. For students: to get the most out of the college is to go through college with no stress. It is important to look at things without stress, that?s what brings students down. Picking the right college doesn?t have to be one time deal. Everything turns out better after people experience it. Students should not stress about transferring and trying new things, and then it leaves no regrets. The point is, picking the right college is all about personal attitude towards learning and willingness to experience new things. For parents: it is important to advise and to teach their kids about the possibilities in all fields, but at the end let them choose what is better. And again, let them experience everything! Within legal boundaries, of course

Lindsay

When I was applying to schools my senior year of high school, I didn't know where I wanted to go or what I wanted to major in. I thought about where other people were applying and what all my peers were doing, not what I wanted to do. I would tell parents and students to not let others in their community persuade their decisions. After attending 2 years at UB, which was not my first choice of school, and watching so many of my peers transfer schools, I realize that you're first choice isn't always what is truely right for you. Students should not listen to their friends and should apply to schools that are right for them. The college experience itself is something that is unforgettable. I would advise students to just live it up and enjoy the ride, because it only comes once in a lifetime. Don't let the social life get the better of you; find time to balance your school work and friendships and you'll be golden.

amiee

Going to visit the campus is a good idea.

Jessica

Make sure the school has the major you want- know what you want before you go to school or at least start out in some type of major. Know whether or not you will be comfortable at an extremely big or small school.

Maria

Like many freshmen, I entered college confused and unsure of what I was doing with my life. I was annoyed with the prospect of accumulating massive debt for a piece of paper stating I am educated. To add to my frustration, I felt my true passion, art, was a frivolous waste of time in the academic sense and would only dig me into a deep, financial hole. Despite my hesitations, I started attending the University at Buffalo. After a year of toiling aimlessly in dark, desolate art studios, I had a revelation. Education, like life, is what you make out of it. You can?t expect to get anything good out of your education if you are not completely passionate about what your studying. The most important thing is to follow your dreams. If you base your education on how to make the largest profit, you will always look back and wonder what your life would be like if you had done what you truely desired.

Ellen

Finding the right college varies among everyone. Some people are more comfortable in a smaller school, while others will not get as overwhelmed by a larger college. Choosing a large university, or a college located somewhere such as NYC, you must be prepared to be open-minded. These are the types of colleges where you can get the most college experience.; meeting new people and learning about different cultures. To me, a smaller school seems like it will be similar to what I experienced in High School. It also depends on your financial situation. You should research about the major you wish to study to see which school offers the best program for a decent amount of money. For example, I was looking for a physical therapy program and was comparing University at Buffalo and NYU. Both programs are equally good, but UB is more affordable. The only way to achieve the full college experience is by living on campus. I met amazing people, and I learned a lot about myself. I was forced to live on my own. I learned to cook, laundry, and clean. These are things I would have never done if I stayed home for school.

Lauren

I would say that if you are unsure of what to major in, select a school with lots of choices. My school, the University at Buffalo, offers a wide variety of majors compared to other schools. This way, when you figure out what to do with your life, your school would most likely have the major you are interested in. Also, dorming is an excellent way to meet new people and create friendships. I would suggest going to a college where it is ethnically diverse. Before I entered college, I was only surrounded by Asians and Hispanics. My four years of college has exposed me to so many other races and I have learned so much from them.

Caitlin

Words of advice I can give to the parents of future college student, as well as the students themselves would be to find a campus that just "electrifies you". You'll know when you get that feeling, something will just feel right. If the school is farther away from home than you would like, don't be afraid at all; something is telling you that you are in the right place. Just relax, and make the most of the time you spend there; it will go by fast, appreciate every second. Another important, fact i guess you could say, "No matter what, never give up". There are always people around who are willing to help you, even if it doesn't seem like it. If you ask for help, it will be given, I promise. Don't be afraid to venture off into an unknown world, it will all be worth it in the end. Just 'close your eyes, and take what may be one of the hardest steps of your life. Trust me, I promise it will be worth it in the end.

EnYong

Pick the college that you feel most comfortable at and offers your interest in academics

Kayla

In order to find the right college I think it would be best for the parent and the student to sit down and make a list of the qualities they want in a college. Such as how much they want to pay, how large they want the class size to be and what major they are thinking of pursuing. They should also take the time to visit the colleges they are interested in to see how comfortable and enjoyable the campuses are. In order to make the most out a student college experience I believe the student should get involved with any clubs or orginizations that appeal to them. It always helps to meet new people that can help you through out your time in college.

Bethany

To those students and parents with questions about which college is right and the "college experience," to both I say take a chance. there are plenty of books and websites to tell you all about the colleges out there, and when you decide to apply, take the chance and apply to the big ones, or the ones out of state, even if you can not afford it. Opportunities present themselves in so many ways. From experience- i'm from california and i applied to a School in New York. I knew I couldnt afford it, but i wanted to see if I could get in. I did, with a scholarship. And my parents flew out there with me to get me settled and it was the best decision ever. When you take the chance and chooses a school, it is the best feeling. As for making the best of the experience, again take a chance. join that club, go to that social event, talk to you professors, and say hi to the student next to you. the opportunities at colege are endless, but you have to be willing to greet them.Embrace the experience ,dont be afraid to take chances.

Thomas

Take your time deciding on the size of the school, what your major is, and total cost. State schools are great because of the cost and because of the acedemics they offer. always work hard, but know how to relax and have a good time also. The stress is inevitable, although it is managable. Overall go to class and do your work, but don't forget to have fun college only happens once.

Scott

I would advise students to really sit down and consider what they want in their schooling. If you want to pick a hard major it is important to consider what kind of atmosphere you are entering. Maybe a school that is known for partying is not right for you if you like partying because you are paying all that money to learn, not get drunk. Not only is social life a poor factor to take into consideration, it is also ignorant. There will be parties regardless of where u attend. Also, it is important to think about a back up plan. If you hate your major what else does the university have to offer you? Most importantly you must balance your social life along with the school work. It is a terrible feeling to begin your senior year and not be happy with where you are at and know there is only so much you can do to influence your GPA. There are not many employers who care about how much fun you had. I would advise parents to support your childerns decisions, but remember that they are not really mature yet and still need your advice.

Mary

I would advise starting at a community college.

Sheng

when finding the right college, academic performance of the school might be the most important part, but the environment also plays a big role.

William

It all depends on what each student wants. From experience, one shoudl find a college he/she really likes and enjoys being it. It saves time of choosing the wrong college and having to transfer. Transfering results in a lower financial aid package, wasted credits, and adaptation. It is important that parents don't put too much pressure on their children. there are enough pressure and responsibility that students face being in college and from classes. Parents who expect mroe fromt their children would possibly lead them to symptoms of depression. Students should learn and have fun in college, and parents should let them learn this way.

Sarah

Be prepared. Tour the campus and be aware of how big UB is. Many people come here and don't realize the magnitude of the campus.

Erica

I recomend a diverse, larger univeristy or college just for the interaction and cultural experiences.

Marlana

Visit colleges first, but also do research on-line about it, you can never tell just by a visit, they make everything seem warm and fuzzy for prospective students and especially parents.

Shoshana

Visit the school! It's like shopping for a new home!

John

Dont wish it away.

Jonathan

My largest piece of advice is be social and network. This relates to both finding a college and making the most of the experience. When finding a school, talk to people, get advice from anyone willing to offer it, get opinions, talk to current students and facuilty. Sure you can browse schools online and do research about the size of a school and whatnot, but talking to many people will give you a much better idea as to where you fit in, belong, and will enjoy. As far as making the most of your college experience, the same applies, get to know your professors, find interest groups, experiment with new clubs and hobbies, and explore new ways to study.

Samantha

Learn as much as you can about the college you want to go to. And find out what the tuition is going to.

Nathan

Go to a university or college that has a main focus on students. I go to a very large university where my professor's are the best in their field (in my case mathematics) but they don't really care about the students they are teaching as much as the research their conducting. My classes are filled with notes without discussion in lecture halls of at least 50 people and in entry level courses expect 300 people. Expect if you go to a large university to depend on yourself and the book to be your guide through classes. I would suggest to stop at the book store to see the prices of textbooks and eat on campus to see what is avalible. You should also look at the living and learning facilities on campus. Also look into the avalible group activities on campus.

Ashley

Don?t just look at schools that are affordable, look at school with a good education programs. A place where you know you will fit in; if you?re a city person don?t go to the desert. Make sure you talk to you children about making the most out of there college experience but to always remember that they are there first and for most for an educations. Always be willing to lend support because college is not something a person just jumps right into and be success. Let them know that you proud of them. Parents know that while in school your child needs to focus so try to limit family problems. Remember to give your child the space they need to find there own way. When picking a college make sure you visit it first because pictures don?t always tell the full story. Also check on how safe your campus is and know what environments work well for you. Do not go to a university that is big if you know u need more one on one or just make sure you utilize the professor?s help. To students just always stay focus and get INVOLVED!!!

Jeffrey

Do not get a Facebook

Lisa

I would do a lot of research. It is not just the school that you need to like. It is the professors, the types of students that go there, the night life, the surrounding area, and the weather. Know what to expect before you commit.

Amberle

If yo're not really sure about what exactly you want to major in, a big university is definitely the way to go! There are so many choices available to you! And get involveda s much as possible! Last year, I was a resident advisor, and getting invold\ved was so important! This year, unfortunately, I don't have the time to be able to do that, but it totally makes the college experience all the more worth it!

richard

sorry no really advice just visist.

Michelle

I would tell parents and students not to worry about the cost of the schools they are considering more than choosing the school that is the best fit for the student.

Erik

Before you sign anything, visit the college first. Every college pamphlet looks good, so it's real important to go to the schools first to get the feel for the college atmosphere. Good students will thrive anywhere, so you just need to find a comfortable environment that's right for you. While you're at college, be social early to make friends. The work load gets tougher after the first 5 weeks into the semester. And year to year, things don't get much easier, either.

Alyssa

Its important to find a college offers things that interest you. It is also important to find an affordable college that is flexible enough to let you explore your interests and try different things.

Amanda

Students need to find what fits their personality best. College is a place to grow and find yourself, and if you're not happy there, it's going to miserable. Being open-minded and objective is the best way to allow yourself the opportunity to have the best four years of your life. It can seem like an eternity, or it can go by in a flash - the student makes his or her own experience. Visit schools, stay a weekend, hang around the campus to get a feel for the environment and atmosphere, and you'll be able to make the best choice with the most options. Apply to as many schools as you can - even if you think there's no way you'll get accepted, if the school appeals to you in even the most remotest way, it's worth the time and application fee. Make the most of the choosing, applying and getting accepted experience - it's a learning experience and can actually be fun, if you do it right. Don't doubt yourself or your abilities, and you can achieve anything - you're already planning on going to college, and that's huge.

Philip

Where can you find your career and as quickly as possible in order not to get trapped...