University of Alaska Fairbanks Top Questions

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

Bensalam

The best advise would be to plan ahead and do not procrastinate in school. as a student, one must understand that they are at school for a good cause, and that cause is to further educate themselves. therfore you must establish a good foundation for your self and that begins with you.

Natasha

Finding the right college for you is all about knowing how you learn. If one does better hands-on or in a disscussion class, then a smaller school would fit best. But if one does better in lecture classrooms and learning on one's own, then a larger school population would be best. But college is all about being yourself and finding what fits best for you. Visit as many schools as possible, then choose what fits your personality.

Melissa

I'm not that big into school, so to me it doesn't matter where you go as long as you are getting your classes finished. The first two years I recommend staying at your local school so that you can save money to go somewhere more exciting your junior year. There is no point in blowing the money when the core classes are pretty much the same anywhere!

Rachelle

I would do plenty of research, and go to the colleges, meet your potential professors and walk through a normal day schedule for your major BEFORE your final decision. Find out about the local activities and research associations and such pertaining to your hobbies and extra curricular activities. Find out about climate at your location, and decide if it suits your needs. Finding the right college can make or break your sanity come finals week.

Karl

You should have an idea of what you want to do before starting, so you don't take classes that are not needed.

Marina

Quite honestly, too much weight is put on finding the "right college" and making the most of the college experience. Being from a small town in the middle of Alaska, all of my friends wanted to get out of here as soon as possible- without even considering just staying at home and going to UAF. However, I stuck it out up here and couldn't be happier. College is all about just figuring yourself out, and you are going to do that no matter where you are. Speak up in class, do your homework, study, but don't get too caught up in that. If you don't know anybody, get involved with Residence Life activities... or just randomly talk to someone in the elevator. You'll be surprised how similar everyone's else's situation is and how easy it is to meet new people if you just offer a friendly face. My advice to parents- don't worry about your kid, they'll be fine. The most advice I can dispense to any student is to be open, to not stress, and to have a great time all whilst not worrying if they are or not!

Adrienne

You want to look for the college that fits into all your personal requirements. Eduactional opportunities, iving arrangements, cost, and life experience are some of the aspects I looked into when I chose my university. Any college can be a party college or a hard-working-study college. What matters is what YOU make it. How you do in college depends on your attitude towards it. Expect to succeed and you will.

Reuben

Find a college that ballances both quality of education and affordability. I would recomend to everyone to do at least their first year at a cheap in state school to get the crap (nationally transferable) classes out of the way, and then transfer to a school with a solid program in whatever your major is.

Alexander

I would look all over, go to the colleges you're interested in, and take the tour. If you don't like what you see, then dont go. If the campus isn't visually stimulating, you may not like it. Get a place that reminds you of home, and also has alot of school activities, and sports. Get involved. Make Friends, HAVE FUN!

Mitsunaga

Definitely visit the campus and ask questions of the professors in the fields of study in which you have interest.

Shane

Finding the right college is similar to trying on clothes. You need to not only base your decision on what the university looks like but also how well it fits you. It's about matching you style, appeal, function and goals. Looking at a pictures and brochures of a university is a great way to see how it ?looks on you? however in order to make a more educated decision I recommend going out and visiting the campuses. Remember to talk with students and professors in the area of study which you intend to study; they are truly your best resource for finding a good "fit". Have clear goals set for what you intend to accomplish, academically, socially and civically before you start looking. This will no doubt help guide your search. Most of all it comes down to your perception of college and your expectations, both for parents and for students. College is a rewarding experience if you go in with the right attitude.

Samantha

When looking at colleges, it's smart to look outside the box. Don't just look at large well-known schools, with major athletics and so forth. I came to Alaska and it's been a life changing experience.

Lena

I believe the most important thing is not to rush. The biggest mistake I made was going straight to college without being sure what I wanted to major in. I've paid for it in time and money by taking classes I didn't need. If you can't decide on a major, wait. Take some individual classes in things you're interested in to see if it really suits your fancy, maybe. Once you know what you want to major in, take the time to really find out where the best place to go for that major is. Search for it on the web, and see which college names pop up most often. Making sure you're on the right path to start with will save you a lot of grief later, and take a great deal of stress off your shoulders during college. That will free you up to focus on your studies and the college experience.

Justin

It is important for the student to know, or at least have some idea, of what they want to accomplish while in college. If the student is focused on a particular area of study that is a good place to start when choosing the right college/university. If the student is unsure about what to study I would recommend a community college to start. Many times students will find a passion to pursue while in college; spending tens of thousand of dollars to "figure out" what the student aims to achieve doesn't make any sense when getting an equal education (though not necessarily an equal experience) at a community college would suffice. Also important is the surrounding area of the college/university. Is the campus large and widespread but the school is in the middle of nowhere? Is the campus small and compact situated in the middle of the city? Being comfortable in the environment of a college/university is vital to the education and will certainly benefit the student throughout their college career. There are many different types of colleges and universities so choose the top few that fit the sutdent's criteria and apply to them ALL.

Leslie

If I could give anyone advice. I'd say know what you want to do before you get to college, it would save you a lot of time, money, and energy. You might change your mind here and there, but changing your mind constantly in college is expensive. I'd say, get involved on campus, get involved in groups that interest you and it will make you feel like your rooted in the community. Get involved in projects you care about and love. Do the best you can because you will live to remember these experiences.

Mercedes

I would encourage students to save more money in their jobs in high school. I would encourage students to move away from home. It is an enlightening experience, but I also think they should visit home again.

Ashleigh

Before deciding on which school to attend, I would tell parents and students to make sure that the schools to which they apply are well rounded. The average undergraduate changes their major approximately 5 to 7 times during their college career. Choose a school that has a lot of different fields of study to offer. It is also very important to visit the school and talk to students that are currently in attendance. This way, both students and parents will have a better grasp of how the school operates and how current students feel about the staff, faculty, and administration. I also suggest visiting at a time that the school is "unprepared" for visitors. This will give prospective students a chance to see the school as it really is, and taste the food as it will be served all year round: not just when there are visitors. The most important thing to remember when choosing a university for a prospective student is that students must choose their own perfect fit. The school colors, the mascot, even the comfort of the dorms don't matter in the end. One attends school to learn. That's all that matters.

Kristine

First and foremost you need to find out what your student is interested in. Is there a school in the state that has good programs in this field? I would cosider costs, especially during these horrendous economic times. Research all forms of financial aid and get a tour the year before. Talk to the advising office, talk to the admissions office. Try to get an appointment with the department you are interested in joining. Get information about the area and what it offers for activities that your student can and will be able to participate in. Talk to your student, find out what they want and what they are interested in and listen to everything your gut tells you as a parent. Armed will all this information you should be able to make a good decision on what college your student will attend.

James

Dont go in to debt to go to collage, stay in state for the undergrad, then move out if you must for grad school! Apartments are great learning experiences, but spend a semester or two in the dorms anyway, thay are great places to meet frinds and to acclimate during fresman year. Many schools get labeled as being party schools, but the truth is that a party can be found or avoided on any campus, it matters more the student have a desire to find or avoid certain activities.

Karalee

My advice to future students in finding the right college would be to examine each college and determine not only if they have the right academic qualities for you, but also surroundings or social atmosphere that you would like and feel comfortable in. One of they keys to doing well in college is finding a balance in academic study and social life. Although academics is the main focus in college life, good surroundings and social life will keep you motivated to keep going. It will make you happy to be where you are and successfully finish what you started.

Nicole

I would tell students to begin looking at colleges early on in their high school careers and to make sure that they maintain a focus on grades through the end of highschool and especially during their freshmen year. The first year of college can be a very exciting and also very distracting one, with so many new things to experience. To parents I would simply say to make sure their children are motivated and to let them make the decisions and support them in whatever that may be, even if they dont agree with it completely. College is an experience for the individual and should be self serving. Therefore students should feel that they can make their own decision as to their wishes and which direction they want to go without the fear that they will disappoint their parents or, more importantly, that their parents think they will not succeed in their chosen path.

Staci

The advice that I would give to parents and/or students about finding the right college is to do research. If you research schools you will find out tuns of information that will help you make a more accurate decision. Once you get closer to finding your school, make sure you visit the campus. Physically seeing and being in the environment that you most likely will be attending for 4 or more years is very important. You want to make sure that you feel safe, excited, and just plain happy at your school. It's the place where you are ending your last hand full of years of school in your life-time. Make sure you can find activities that interest you because this will help improve your overall experience at your university. You'll make so many friends and develope very good communication skills. Be involved and get yourself out there and be what you want to be in life. Accomplish what you want. If you are a person who doesn't like to get involved, just make sure you feel happy with your school and the people you are with.

Max

The best advice I can give is to examine the environment of the school carefully. A school can be the very best in it's given field, but if it is in a poor location, it can ruin the whole experience. What I mean by "careful examination" is to visit the campus in person and spend some time in the local coffe shops and the surrounding area. There isn't a brochure or admissions pitch out there that can beat the feeling obtainable by a personal visit.

Brandon

When trying to find the right college to attend, I believe it is important to consider the student life on campus. Are there available opportunities to promote the growth of the student so that they are prepared for life beyond college? Are there programs available that meet the student's interest? Is there a social environment that promotes academics while also promoting participation in extra-curricular activities? Student life is not the only concern of course. Another thing to be sure of is that the academic programs offered are many and are diverse enough to give the student an opportunity to choose what they would be most interested in. I find that students that don't have choice are often demotivated because they feel locked in to something they may not be interested in.

Brandy

Questions can be your greatest tool. Questions about the school to staff, questions about activities to students, questions from relatives who might have been to the college before. Learn before you learn. Find out if the college has the programs and classes you need to make the most out of the goals in your life. If you have never lived on your own before, ask your parents about how to budget for expenses, like food and tolietries. Ask for dishes and cookware, as they can be your greatest friend if the food on campus does not appeal to your taste buds. Parents! Ask your student and the staff at their intended college your own questions. Reassure yourself of a safe learning environment. Reassure yourself that your new college student is making their way out into the wide world prepared for what is to come. I can never over-emphasize the importance of questioning everything.

Victoria

It is important to look for a school that offers the degrees that you are intersted in. Pick a school that is right for your degree then by cost of the tutition. You need to be able to afford the school of course, however, go with what you want and if that requires a loan and financial aid then do it. It's better to like the campus and enjoy school then pick the cheapest one that isn't high on your list of interesting schools. If you don't like your school it's hard to be motivated academically and socially.

Bruce

My advice to Parents and or students. Would be to think of things you like to do and then find a school that fits all or some of those requirements don't settle for the first school that excepts you. That could probably only meet in disaster instead follow your heart and do what both you and ypur child want or vice versa.

Adrian

Colleges come in a variety of flavors. And with so many choices the task of choosing one for higher education goals becomes very overwhelming. Indeed, choosing a school should bring a certain level of stress since the soon-to-be college student is choosing where, how, and to what degree they will experience whole new and different ideas, adventures, and people. Yet, it's so vital to remember that colleges do not define how students enter the world upon graduating. It's what we as students make of our time in college (learning life skills, networking and making life-long friends, striving for a foothold in the field of study of our choice) that defines the person at the graduation ceremony. So choose a school that'll prove to be enjoyable, for college is such an amazing step in life.

Frieda

Figure out first the size of school and town the student would be most comfortable with , that, to me, is the most important part of chosing a college to attend. To big of a school could overwhelm a student and to small could leave a person lonley and even more home sick.

Alura

Unfortunately, money in today's world means everything, so get as many scholarships/grants as possible and plan, plan, plan.

Hannah

Find a place that is going to cater to not only who you are now, but also allow you to grow into who you could become four years from now. Ignore reputations, statistics, and the propaganda schools put out to advertise themselves. Listen to those who have been there, and spend time there yourself doing what you would do if you were a student. Don't get suckered by flashy offers, and don't let money be your deciding factor.

jessie

Definitely pick a state that the student will be comfortable in. Visit the five main campuses that are in your list and spend at least two days at each campus. Just hanging out in the student complex or "hang out spot" will tell you so much about the campus. If everyone is secluded and don't talk to eachother it might be hard to make friends, on the other hand if students are bouncing back and forth between groups and sitting next to random people, it shows that the school is friendly and inviting, and it will be easy to meet people and make friends.

Rebecca

Don't kill your wallet in an attempt to pay off your kid's college. Pick a cheap school that they can afford because you can get a top rate education at pretty much any school. You don't need to pay $50 grand a year for it.

BriAnna

I think it is important that parents pay attention to the strengths and weaknesses of their child when looking for a school. They should consider the child's interests, and compare them with where the school chooses to place educational emphasis. For instance, is the school Fine Arts, Sciences and Research, or mostly graduate level? Evaluating the social networking of the school is important when looking for a match for their child as well. I truely believe that not only is the quality of education important, but so is the atmostphere that child is to be learning in.

Jeremy

The best piece of advice I can offer prospective students is to visit the campus and speak with students who are actively enrolled in the program you are interested in. This is the best way to understand what you face, instead of taking a brochure at face value. Choose a program you like and have the desire to accomplish and this will help you to keep pushing through when you feel like you would otherwise quit!

Casey

visit the campus to see if it gives you the kind of atmosphere you think you would be comfortable living in. never live with your best friend, ive seen it end badly too many times, dont be afraid to go somewhere just because you dont know anybody, and always join clubs or intramurals, anyway to meet new people, and dont discriminate, some of the best friends i have by most societal standards would be a complete opposite. ive learned by going out of state for a semester that its best to get your required classes out of the way as cheap as possible, for me, that was coming back to alaska. take summer courses, they go by fast and are usually much more laid back then fall or spring semesters and can really help you get done quicker, im graduating in 4 years with 5 major changes because of those classes i took in the summer. all i can really say after that is that everyone has to make their own happiness, so surround yourself with people who care about you, dont give a damn what other people say about you, and just live life to the fullest.

Emily

When I started searching for schools I got so overwhelmed by all the choices, places, and majors that I couldn't decide what to do. I tried college match-makers on the internet, college lists in books, and advice from advisors. I didn't have a major in mind yet and hadn't traveled enough to know where I wanted to spend the next four years, which was also a scary thought. Where do I spend the next four years of my life!? Eventually I decided to join some friends who were staying in state and I couldn't have asked for a better first year of college. I met some of the coolest people (many of which lived in state and visited me in the summer), payed in-state tuition, and took all my required general education classes. Your first year of college is going to be an adventure no matter where you are so don't worry about the small stuff, just pick a school and get used to the college life. When you figure it all out you can always transfer and by then you'll already know exactly what you're looking for.

ashley

when looking for a college keep in mind the climate and type of people you want to be in. It makes a big difference in whether or not you would like the school. Also the class size and what classes are given is also very important!! Some schools have a better science department than others. Don't forget to do what you want. If you don't know, try taking some basic courses close to home until you know what you want and are ready to make the leap into that direction.

James

The best school is not necessarily the closest, the most convenient, or the cheapest. Look for a match based on several of your interests, avaliability of fitness facilities, influence of students in the operation of the school, or anything else you would like to find in a school.

Jessica

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Jessa

Look at the scholarships available for your area of study - I wound up at a school with almost no scholarships for the liberal arts, despite those areas being the ones with higher enrollment. This meant more fighting over fewer scholarships than had I gone to a more liberal arts minded school.

Mikana

Students make sure you pick a college that is right for you and enjoy yourself if it takes you 5 years to graduate instead of 4 no big deal there is no rush enjoy the experiences you have they will last a life time.

KIMRAH

MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD HAS AN ADVISOR AND KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE ADVISOR OR EVEN FORM A RELATIONSHIP...

Matthew

I would highly recommend attending a school that doesn't financially set back the student into debt. Finding an affordable school that has a decent quality programs in the fields the student is interested in is critical. If there is a financial worry, it is hard to focus on the acedemic requirements. Going to an inexpensive school to find your interests may also be a good place to start. For the most part, the quality of lower-level classes is the same at all school. If cost truly isn't a concern, touring the school beforehand would be the most benefical in making the right choice.

Kelley

Go there! See what it looks like. Take a peak at the classrooms, dorms, and common areas. Tour the grounds. Get a feeling for the campus and the atmosphere. Stay the night if possible. Know what the living situation is going to be like before you even start, so you know what to expect. Look at every obstacle with an open mind and be prepaired for change. Nothing is ever set in stone. Talk to people! Ask other students what it was like their first year. Get to know your advisor, they are there to help you. Talk with professors in your field of study. They will remember you when you show up to their class. Look into different clubs or organizations and talk with them, they were once new to that campus too. Make friends Even if you don't choose that campus, there's still email. Let go! This is a new chapter in your life, either wade in or jump in. Parents, let your child know that you are still there when they need help, but let them try to figure it out first! You can't always hold hands, sometimes you just need to let go.