University of Central Oklahoma Top Questions

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

Rebecca

Don't sweat the small stuff. It's not worth getting so stressed over so little. Just enjoy yourself, be more outgoing, make friends, join studygroups and clubs, and you'll be fine. You're too introverted--how are you going to become that big shot television or radio producer if you can't even force yourself to sit in the front of the class? Your professors are there to help you, not hurt you. These four years are about changing and blossoming from the timid bulb that you are into a beautiful flower. Just take that first step. It's okay. Your friends and family are there to help you, just in case. College can be fun! Just quit your stressing.

Shannon

It is important to go to class and read your textbooks! It helps to be prepared for the class before you go. Studying in college is very different than it was in high school. Also, talking to your teachers can be such a big help. They are much more willing to help you out than you may think. Get involved in things you are passionate about because you will get greater satisfaction out of your college years.

Stephanie

College is a very personal decision. What is right for one student may not be right for another. Just because a school has a good reputation doesn't make it the best school for everyone. Students should look into the programs offered at different colleges as well as campus life to see where they would most likely be able to get a good education while enjoying their college experience. It is also very important to visit schools, because I did not know how much I wanted to attend my current university until after I had spent time with faculty and students there. Find the best place for you and enjoy it! And, if you want to make the most of your college experience, do not drink it away. Have fun with friends, but focus on the important things as well and you will be a successful and happy student.

Brennen

I think first and foremost when looking for a school is that a student has to have an idea of what he or she is wanting to study. Depending on a chosen field of study parents and students should do research in how a school ranks in that program of study and what the school is like. Students and parents alike should look at class sizes, college life, and tuition costs. The student should visit campuses that they are interested in in order to see what kind of fit they believe would be best for them. It is always good to go on campus tours and asking questions about what to expect from that school. Hopefully these are a few things that help find many students a great college or university that they have always wanted to attend.

Natalie

Come to UCO!

Matt

College can be the most important and enjoyable time for a students life. Selecting the right college takes time and patience, but it is worth it because you want to feel like you belong and achieving the education you deserve. For parents, I would advice taking your child on campus tours and encouraging them to enroll in numerous colleges and schloraships because by not having much financial help it can burden the student by performing poorly in class. For students, enjoy the years you have in college. Take it by your own pace and don't let others influence your college career. You want to be proud of yourself and with a degree, you are opening doors for success. I am currently a Junior and I am looking forward to graduating and looking back upon the many memories I will obtain in college.

Ashley

The advice I would give parents and students about finding the right college is to go somewhere that has a strong program in your interest of study. When you are applying for jobs after graduation in your field, it looks impressive that you graduated from an institution that has a specialized program in the career choice you have chosen. The best way to make the most of your college experience is by getting involved and meeting people. Make sure you know your academic advisor because they help you throughout your entire time in school. The only way to make new friends is by doing as much as you can, join clubs and be opened minded about greek life. Also, be sure you GO TO CLASS because that's the secret to passing! And by going to class regularly, you have an opportunity to meet your classmates and form a relationship with your professor.

Andrew

Make sure the Child or young adult is ready for College before making that choice. Some people just aren't ready right out of highschool!

Alexis

I would advise parents to listen to their child and set down with them and truely talk about the goals they have and what would make them happy in life. To the student I would encourage them to look within themselves to find what they want to do or expect out of life and if they do not know yet that it is ok. Also, I would ask the students to not be afraid to tell their parents what they deep down truely want to to with themselves and not just say something that they think their parents want to hear. I would recommend that the students and parents actively and aggressively look at all educational outlets to find the one that is perfect for the student, and the parents combined. Staying on top of applications and financial paperwork is a must. It is very important for the parents to completely support thier child in whatever descision they choose to make about the future. Finally, when the student is pursuing a degree in a field they love and with the support of their family it will be easier to complete the degree, and be happy in life

Nichole

My advice to anybody looking for the perfect school is, pick for yourself. Do not pick a university because that is where all of your friends are going. Just because the school fits your best friends does not mean that it will fit you. In order to get the full college experience you should be active, but do not forget about your academics, because that is how you meet new people and make new friends. Whether it is through recruitment/rush or just joining small campus organization you should be active in some shape or form.

Rhys

The most important thing is to visit the school you choose and talk to faculty members before you decide to attend the school. You need to make sure that you have faculty members you can trust in the school so that you KNOW that they will help you to achive your goal. As long as you have the goal to pursue, and the specific ideas to achive it, the right school will come to you. For parents, I will say one thing. Please trust your children, and let them decide where to go. It is their life, and not for you.

Faith

The best college for students is one where they can enhance their learning, focuses on diversity, and one that focuses on one's particular interests.

James

Just go to several campuses and feel them out. Forget about the statistics. When you find a place where you feel comfortable, you'll know. If I would've done that my first year of college, I would've ended up in a much better school than I did. Because I let statistics and scholarships guide me, I had the stress of hating the first university I attended, as well as the stress of trying to transfer to UCO during finals of my second term. Let your feelings guide through the school selection process. You have to deal with it for at least four years.

Josephine

Finding the right college and making the best of the college experience is a difficult but rewarding process. I am one of the lucky ones, my college choice was easy, and to date the experience has been rewarding. To find the right college, I stared with identifying those things that were important to me. What degree programs did the college offer, did the college offer the sport I wanted to play, was the college not too big, yet not to small. I wrote these items down and ranked them, keeping me on track with my pending decision. I spent many hours with high school counselors, coaches and college advisors. I made a list of schools and did some internet research on my own. Once I was down to a short list, I began to reach out to those schools for additional information. After some onsite visits, I made my final decision. Making the best of the college experience is easy. I suggest everyone live in a dorm for at least the first year; this allows you to meet many of your fellow college students. Participate in school events and volunteer as often as time allows.

Cody

My advice for picking the right college for parents and students is easy. Do the research. Research living situations, the majors offered, and most importantly the professors. In my experience the teaching staff makes all the difference. A good professor is not one that is necessarily easy or fun, but one that has a real teaching plan. I look for a professor who knows the topic in and out and comes to class with a purpose. Some teachers are content with teaching straight out of the textbook, but that is not enough for me. After you find the right professors, then comes the college experience part. And, my advice for that is to not fill your plate with too much. Extra-curricular activities and career oriented activities are important, but it is easy to get overwhelmed. You get at least four years at a university, it is okay to stretch out your involvment around campus. To have a good college experience it is important to keep the stress level as low as possible. Nobody wants to burn out after freshman year, so have a good time while still taking the time to get a good education.

Lucas

Take your time.

Dustin

Don't get caught up with the name and reputation of a school. Many people feel that they have to attend the most prestigous college in order to get a decent job after graduation. Why take out $50,000 or more in loans when you are getting a degree in English, Political Science, History or some other liberal arts or fine arts program? If money is not an issue, by all means major in English Literature at an Ivy League school. But for most middle class families, attending a prestigous univeristy will require massive student loans that will require a lifetime to repay or may require defaulting. This might make sense if majoring in a business degree but most middle class families should look into more affordable colleges. These schools actually may offer a better program since many of the professors spend more time in the classroom rather than conducting research.

April

Do a lot of research and make the choice yourself. Don't conform to the thoughts of others. Do what you want to do.

Richard

Find a college that will support your dreams. It does not matter how much it cost, where there is a will there is a way. Open your eyes to new experences, and do not over look a school because you feel it is to far away from your home.

Emerald

I would advise students to spend some time thinking introspectivally, and to really decide what they want for their long and short term goals. What do they want from the next 4 years of their lives? Where do they want to be in 10 years? After that, they need to decide what career path most suits their desires, and then look at schools which excell in that area. When looking at schools, the students should try to spend time with the some students who attend that college or university. They should discover whether or not they fit in with the general student body. They should also consider the environment, becacuse that will have an incredible effect on the students enjoyment of the school. Before deciding on a school, the student should take a realistic look at the location of the school in relation to family residences. If a person needs to spend a great amount of time with family, going to school across the country will be incredibly difficult. Finally, a student should trust his or her gut instinct. If he/she feels good at the school, chances are high that the college experience will be a good one.

Elisa

Perhaps, they should look around and study the different schools before deciding to jump right in. College is usually 4, or more, years long and that is where you will be spending the majority of the time. Choose wisely.

Jessica

I would let them know that college is not easy and it takes work. There are many places to get involved, but time management is a key to success. I chose to attend this university because it was one of the top nursing programs in the this part of the country. Also, I had some medical problems that it was nice to have my parents close to me. I would encourage every senior to think about what college is best for their major; and also somewhere they could see themselves being happy. I would also encourage them to get involved in something. That is a great way to meet people and it is helpful to meet upclassman in these organizations. They are a great resource to help the underclassman achieve their goals. The final advice I would give parents or students is attend the college or university that fits you best not the one all your friends are atteneding. Unless that is were you are happy. Enjoy college is a great place to meet people and get an education.

Tadashi

Deciding to attend college is just as important as what college to attend. The decision should be made based on the individuals true desire to further their education and become successful by providing to others what they have learned. College life is one that will lead you in many directions, offer you many opportunities, and lifelong friendships. Your college choice shoud be based on what your heart is in not so much as to what a test may suggest. If your heart isn't in you most likly will find yourself changing your degree. This also means that you should choose a college that offers the most for your field of study. Financially being able to pay is probably the main deterrent that prohits an individual from attending a college that they really feel that they would excel in but this should not be the main factor since there are many avenues available to assist an individuals. Family members can help by, looking at their employer to see if scholarship are available. It depends on how determined the person is when it comes to finishing school. Getting involved in actiivites is another important key to making the college experience remarkable.

Brandon

Parents and students should know that the University of Central Oklahoma is a university that is devoted to making college a life-changing experience. The college is most commonly known as the "leadership" college of Oklahoma. There is a lot of school spirit and social activities the are constantly attracting people to the campus. Academic success, however, is the main priority. As a Biology major and an RA (resident's assistant), I get to see most of the inner workings of UCO. I love it. Every bit of it. I was offered a full ride to OU on a trust fund, but I choose UCO, and never once have I regretted that decision. The school is big enough to meet lifelong friends an be extremelly social, and it is small enough to feel like you are cared about. Class size is about 30 students, just like high school. Teachers know who you are, and the ability to contact them is at your fingertips. So far I have made only one B, and I owe that to my caring teachers, who want me to be successful. Our vision here is "Character, Community, and Civility". I'm proud to be a Broncho.

Michelle

Follow your heart

Courtney

Make sure that you chose a college that your child is passionate about.

Shari

I think it is great for students to have there parents assist them in researching colleges, and trying to find that perfect school. However, when it comes to making the final choice, I think that should be left to the student. After all, it is where they will be spending the next four or five years of their lives. As the parent I would make sure to research the campus security, as well as overall safety of the area of the university. Most students (including myself) seem to overlook the importance personal safety. As far as making the most of the college experience, I'd say to have fun. But keep in mind you are there for one reason, and that is to get a quality education. With college, you get out what you put in, and putting forth a great effort, and the study time, you are sure to have a great time, while passing all your classes, and achieving the ultimate goal, graduating.

Daniel

Campus life is very important. The choice of the campus your student is involved in can affect their life. If the community is very involved then more than likely your student will a sense of getting involved and making a difference in the community. If the campus is too small and not much really goes on, then chances are that skills such as leadership might not be developed and your student will miss out on some extraordinary opportunities. When looking for a university to send your student to needs to be one that will affect your students life the most and make them change into the person they want to be and to be a more-rounded person. This kind of person is important for the future.

Calli

Students should take their experience at college seriously and make it a priority to get involved on their campus. You will get out of college what you put into it and there is a wealth of experience and opportunities there waiting for you to discover them. Don't be afraid to go meet your professors, they are there for you and are not scary at all, in fact, some professors will be more lenient and willing to help you if they know your name and know you want to do well. Don't forget that you're at school to learn and to get a great education, but active participation in the activities/organizations of your choice are an essential part of being a well-rounded person. Also, once you finally graduate, don't think our education is complete- be a lifelong learner!

Rachel

Know who you are and what you can handle. If you are close to your parents do not move far away (you will get home sick and your grades and social life will suffer). Only take classes that you can handle and do your research on your proffesors (ratemyproffessor.com is very helpful). Also have an idea of what you would like to major in. That way you can join clubs and organizations that will help you in your feild. A campus tour sounds lame but it is VERY helpful. It will give you a chance to really see the campus and the surrounding areas. Networking is also improtant talk to students that are attending the college., this is possible with myspace and facebook (it also helps if you can not visit the campus for yourself). Living in a dorm or on campus your first year is also important in developing friendships and getting involved in on campus activites. Also most importatly GO TO CLASS!!!!!

Kali

Finding the right college is a tough decision and is different for each student. I suggest taking a campus tour, and if offer more prospective student servises, take advantages of them. Speak with students with varying majors about their experience, and look into the number of student organizations if you are looking to be involved. If you want to go greek, attend an orientation if offered to see if you really want to participate in that school's greek atmosphere. If the college has on-campus housing, you should definately live on campus your first year. You meet the most people and learn from them that way, and it's a really good experience to have to share a room with another person and a bathroom with a lot of other people. You learn a lot about other people and yourself from living on campus, plus it's so convienent! The more involved in campus activities, the better, because most activities involve some amount of volunteering, which is great for resumes, and it's a lot of fun to do somehting besides just classes. Judge carefully and have fun!

Ashley

I believe a prospective student should pay attention to what is most important in terms of size of classroom. Whether you like a larger size student ratio to teacher, then a bigger school is your choice and vice-versa. Also, the availability of on-campus housing is important. If the housing isn't as one would expect, look at other options. The staff should be determined to be there to help you succeed as a student. If the professors are thinking they're there for a paycheck, then make a better choice.

Cheryl

Life is about learning as you go. You don't have to have all the answers when you enter college. In university you will find many new paths and interests that will help to point you in the right direction. You may not have all the answers when you leave. There is never an end to learning. If you like your feild and want a more specific degree try again with a higher degree. But don't push yourself when you are unhappy. You will waste a lot of time and money if you are doing something against your wishes. Don't expect yourself or anybody else to be perfect. Always try harder to reach your full potential.

Amanda

I would first tell them to visit the campus. Do not just pick a college because it is popular or has great sports teams. Go to the campus, take a tour, and see if you could picture yourself living there and being happy. Pick the campus that you are most comfortable with even if it isn't a huge college that you always thought you would go to. Parents, don't put too much pressure on your kid to go to a big state school right out of high school. And about the college experience, do it all. Have fun and remember to always be safe. College is some of the best times of your life, don't ruin it doing something stupid.

Jeremy

this was a good survey

Brittany

For finding the right college: Visist all prospective college or university campuses and take campus tours . Learn about the university or college, learn about financial aid, campus organizations, extra ciricucular activites, campus environment, and campus envolvement. If you have time, sit in on a class. Select the best school that fits your needs, besides you are paying for your education. To make the most of college life: Study, have fun, make friends, be open to the new and diverse, get involved with campus activities and organizations, meet and greet your professors, visit your professors office, and stay away from drugs and alcohol.

payden

what class size do you want you can go big and never really talk and get to know your professor or would you want a smaller class size where you can get to know people and you professor. get involve in some sort of social group it tends to make your grades better. and never overwheim yourself with course find your right limit and stick to it. and finally study always study for test.

Jackson

As a prospective student, it is important to focus on what is best for you as in individual when choosing the right college. You must ask yourself "What am I looking for in my college experience?" If the answer to your question is academics and you plan on being a lawyer or doctor, you must look for colleges that are going to gear you academically to continue your post graduate degree. If the answer to your question is on campus involvement, start looking at different organizations now. Go on campus tours and do not be afraid to ask questions and see what the campus offers. Remember some colleges do not have fraternities and sororities so make sure you do all the research you can before you enrole. As a parent of a prospective student help your child as much as you can, but let me be independent as well. This is a time of major growth and it is very important that they learn things on their own. Be supportive but don't be afraid if they don't come home every weekend. Let them enjoy their college experience and they will be greatly appreciative.

Cynthia

My advice for parents and students is take a day to get a feel of what the atmosphere of that college is like. Maybe not so much the parents, but I really recommend that students take a day to walk around the campus and see most of the buildings so that they can actually see what it would be like to attend, not just seeing what the tour guide shows you. It is important that parents and students talk with students already attending that college to see what they like and dislike about it. When it comes to making the most out of the college experience, it is a great idea to form study groups early on in the semester. It's a great way to get a head start on studying the materials as well as making great friends to hang out with later on. Make sure to stay positive and open minded about things. Most importantly of all, stay forcused. You're at college for a reason. The last thing you want is to make the best years of your life become your worst!

Chelsea

Make sure that it fits you. Going to college is hard enough. Don't get stuck at a school that you don't really like just because it's close or convient.

Becky

Choose a major that enables you to study who you love, what you could envision yourself devoting your life to studying and learning about. Work as a Research Assistant for a professor in your college. Undergrad research opportunities make you SO marketable to employers. Network, network, network! For career-unrelated activities, try different student organizations and find people who are like-minded. It is so important to be understood and and to understand. And above all, have FUN!

Lori

A college doesn't have to have a "name" to offer a quality education. Sometimes it's better to choose a smaller campus that can cater to your needs. Look around the schools you are choosing from, talk to people who have been there. Whatever you choose, it's your decision and your life, so make sure it fits you.

Kymberlee

The most important thing is finding a campus that fits best with your lifestyle. There are colleges all over the world so dont feel like you have to stay in state or close to home. College is the chance to experience new beginings and find your path for the future. Parents be open and supportive of your childs college career and let them experience all the university has to offer.

Zachary

Finding the right college can be a long and stressful process at times. When selecting the right college for your son or daughter it is important for you to look at the qualities of the campus. Ask yourself, does this campus have adequate study facilities, does it have a good athletic training center (Wellness Center) for your son or yourself, is the faculty student oriented, is there adequate housing and places to eat, are the students on the campus friendly, and finally does this school offer the degree I would like to pursue? If your answer is yes to most or all of these questions, then I would say you have found the right school for you. Not only would you enjoy the school but you will also feel at home with all of the students on campus.

Tylana

Pick whats right for you!!!! Follow your heart and dreams....go with your gut feeling.

Michelle

There are three things I would tell parents/students who are trying to find the right schools; 1. Spy on the School for a couple of days. Look at the culture, check out their Financial Aid office to see how they handle people, go to the cafeteria and check out food selection and price, things of that nature. 2. Talk with some of the students of different levels and see how they feel about the school, even ask some of the people who work there and see how they feel about the school they work for. 3. Before you fall in love with a school make sure it has good job refence and that they will be able to help you get where you want,ex: you want to be a dentist and you want to attend UCA; but you cant because they don't offer that. Those three things will make sure you've chosen the right school and you will not be wasting your time there because it will get you where you wnt to go.

Jessie

Research and ask a lot of questions. Know what you are interested in and what colleges have to offer you in that area.

Melanie

When deciding on a college, try not to let your money situation stop you. Choose the university that you feel you will grow and thrive the most at. If you are happy there, then you will be much more motivated to get involved and do well. Once you are attending that university, remember to relax. Getting overly stressed doesn't help situations at all. If you can just stay on task, then you will have no reason to stress out. College is the greatest time of your life, so remember to get involved on your campus. You'll want to be part of everything that is going on, and it will make your experience there so much greater!!

Jennifer

Finding the "right" college is always tricky. the best way to go about it is to find the place that have the most in common with yourself. Wether it be the amount of friends that are there or the types of academics the school offers or maybe sport...whatever. If the school interests you the most or sounds like a place you'd want to spend the next four to five years...then i think you found the place. And to make the most of the "college" experience, just do whatever you can and want. i doubt that if you do that than you will have no regrets.

Andrew

Base your college choice off of what you plan to do after you graduate. Don't let money hold you back.