University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Top Questions

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

Tiena

In college, the teachers aren't going to be there to tell you, "Go to class!" or even nag you to do your homework. It's up to you to make sure you get everything done, so stay organized. Organization will help you remember what it is you have to get done that week, 98{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the time you won't get a second shot. Another important aspect, save up some money! College books are expensive. They aren't free like elementary, middle, and high school. Paying for books comes out of your pocket. If you see an opprotunity to earn a grant/scholarship, grab it with both hands! Also, make sure you develop good study habits. No one is going to have your back when it comes time to take that test. Make sure you know the material! Even if you don't think you need a tutor, get one anyways. It always helps to have the extra hand. Don't keep friends who don't support your values, they'll start to drag you down. Most importantly, try and have fun, but don't get into too much trouble that you can't pull yourself out of it.

Fawn

Use your noodle and be resourceful by exploring outside of the books/lectures, utilizing hands-on experience, digging up old tests, papers, and projects, asking relatives, friends, or former teachers anything and everything to get ahead in your studies. Sometimes being ?smart? is simply being proactive. Be proud of your "B" even when your Plan A, was earning an "A." Fact: A well-earned "B" is superior to an easy "A." Extracurricular activities are marvelous student shaping tools, but obtain practical life experience! Research and get a job advantageous to your field of study! Communication is a beautiful thing! Talking with your professors/ advisors before the course starts or as soon as an issue or question arises, positions you ahead of your classmates. You will be remembered favorably this way! Write everything down! Edit it, improve it, and review it! Fake it (an interest) until you make it is a proven philosophy for conquering the mundane/challenging courses. Pace yourself and embrace a hiatus! Sometimes your mind and body need revitalizing; it's okay to take a breather from school! Magical criterion: Sleep and recharge daily! Expunge the "I can't." Be passionate about something! What will your story be?

Anasa

I was an amazing high school athlete, basketball and track were my two main sports and I expected them to get me into college. In-fact I had a handful of full-ride scholarships to different caliber schools but they all flew out the window when we discovered that my heart condition was going to prevent me from playing college athletics. When I learned how expensive college, textbooks, the social aspect and food were that?s when I knew I should have paid more attention on my academic high school career than basketball. Now I was still a very good student, 3.1gpa, year round sports, and held two jobs, I thought I was a well rounded person. I did not look for scholarships, grants or any type of money because I had an athletic career. Now I know that that aspect of college (looking for money) is important and will help a student and parents out tremendously, going back and talking to myself as a senior I would tell myself to look for scholarship money and grants even if you did have full-ride scholarships because you never know what will happen.

dadirai

When it comes to college, you need to have goals! Anything is possible if you put your mind into it. Work very hard and know it will pay off at the end of the day. Education is very important, it not only builds your career but shapes you into becoming a better person in general. College life allows you to make long term friends who also have great futures. Never let anyone tell you you can't because you are in charge of your future. I believe God will walk me through this because im destined for greatness! Have perseverance, determination and strive for that goal!

Kyla

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are two things that I would say. First of all, I would tell myself to focus on school, not boys. Second, I would tell myself to give my education everything that I have got so that I never look back and say, "I could have done better." I would say go to class, no matter how rotten you feel. Read the material and absorb it before you are scheduled to go over it in class, whether it fascinates you or not. And most importantly, do not procrastinate. Use a planner so that you can see when things are due and work on them in advance so you have a good amount of time to revise. Be organized and be on time. And I must say again, go to class!

Jenna

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to attend a community college before going to a university unless I was sure of what university I would be attending after the community college. I would also inform myself that college is harder than highschool and if you want to suceed then you have to study. Also, I would suggest getting involved with the campus life and living in the dorms the first year so that you can meet new people.

Page

Don't worry about figuring out what you want to do with you rlife until you get to college because odds are, you'll change your mind or discover something else you're interested in. Also, make sure the distance from home is right for you and definitely put yourself out there during the first year. Freshman year is a great time to meet friends you may have the rest of your life.

Lamont

One of the first things I would tell myself as a senior in highschool is to make sure I put forth my best effort this whole school year, so I can have the right work ethic when I get to college. Also I would tell myself is to make sure that you stay focused in college because you can easily get distracted by everything that is going on, from the sporting events to the parties and even the girls. Dont get caught up in all of that. Make sure you remember what you are going to college for, and that's to get an education. Also I would tell myself that college is a clean slate to start over on your GPA, so all of the bad grades that you got in highschool wont matter here just make sure you dont make the same mistake that your did when you first entered highschool. Friends they could either make you or break you. Choose wisely because you want to be around the ones who are trying to reach the same goals as you. Those are a few things that i would tell my young self before I start college.

Brian

I would tell myself to be confident in my decision to attend the college I chose, and to make the best of it from the beginning. Work hard, from the beginning. Your GPA is important, especially when you're applying to graduate schools. Start planning for co-ops early, and do everything I can to make myself more knowledgeable and marketable. And I would tell myself to make sure I keep the good friends that I make, because they are the best ones I could have found.

Melanie

If I could go back and prepare myself for college I would of provided myself with better test taking strategies and to remember to take more than the minium amount of credit hours each quarter. As a second year senior and looking back at my freshman year till now I wish I knew more test taking strategies to become more efficient and a stronger test taker. I only made B's and C's on tests in high school, but managed to get A's because of homework and turning in a folder. Whereas, in college I needed a strong rapport with tests to get a higher GPA. I felt that I struggled and became more frustrated than actually enjoying my college career. Secondly, I wished I would of took more credit hours than the minium or requested by the college. I am in my second year of being a senior because I need more credit hours and need more credits hours that will increase my GPA. I feel that not being knowledgeable about these two preparations for college has me curious if I will graduate this June. I am strong, independent, and eagered to tackle my goal.

Gina

The advice I would give myself as a high school senior is the number one thing I need to remember is SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. I need to save all the money from working over the summer for my college expenses. It is very expensive to purchase books and live on off campus housing without having any money saved up. Also to apply for scholarships that I qualify for early as possible and to apply for as many as I can. I would tell myself as well to make sure I know what my major will be because this will help me while applying for scholarships and being able to apply for some that are based on my major. Another advice I really needed to know as a high school senior is to maybe think about going to a community college first if my grades weren't the best because if I spend 2 years at a community college and get my GPA up I could have transferred to the University of Cincinnati and recieved scholarship money for having an excellent GPA from that college. These advices would have made my life easier in college and provided more help financially.

Amelia

Assuming I could go back and speak to myself at 18, there are many things that I could and would tell my high school self. Most important would be to realize that who I was then is not who I will be in 10 years. To take each experience, good or bad, and chalk it up to a life experience and understand that it will make me be a better person. To finish school sooner rather than later; I hate thinking some days that "I wish I would have done this 5 years ago...". I would tell myself to live in the dorm room; get the full college experience. Use and abuse the free gym memberships and activities; they don't happen in your adult life. And above all, to pick those professor's brain's apart. Use them for the wealth of knowledge that they are. Take the harder classes in spite of the challenge that they may be; you will probably learn more from them than any other class. Make new friends of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds; don't become a lemming.

Jaime

If I went back in time to talk to myself as a high school senior the main thing I would want to say is not to be afraid to be yourself and be open to the new experiences available. Transitioning into college life is very intimidating, everything is new, but it is great if you can be open and friendly to the people around you, many of them are feeling the same way so it can be easy to make new friends quickly. Also, get involved early. If you try new clubs, groups, or sports you can have a lot of fun and from there decide what you want to stay involved with or not. But getting involved early really helps you enjoy the school life and exposes you to a lot of new experiences. College is a great time to learn not only about the books but also about yourself and the world, be confident, you'll do great.

Ally

Knowing what I know now, I would tell my high school senior self to save money early! Money is the most pressing issue for me and fellow classmates--especially in current economic times. Money is needed for tuition, housing, food, books, transportation, supplies, liesure, and more. College is the first time that most students are sent to live on their own: some are lucky and don't have to worry about money but others are seeing the real world for the first time. Having money saved up before college is the smartest thing one could do because it would relieve stress, would not influence one's decision of a Major, and would allow one to actually enjoy the college experience. Money is not what makes the world go 'round but having some saved up to ease the college transition would have been the smartest thing I wish I would have known.

Jeffrey

If I had the option to travel back in time to discuss my current status with my high school self, I would tell myself to apply for more scholarships. Upon graduating from my high school, I ended up with what I thought was a fairly decent amount of scholarship money. Little did I know that it would take a lot more of where that came from in order to satisfy UC's growing tuition costs. I am the first in my family to go to college, and my parents are only high school graduates. We make due with what we have, but sometimes it can get hard. If I could confront my former self, I would tell him to save money like crazy. All of that money from the high school part-time job would have been put into a savings account at a local bank. I would also tell him to purchase all of his books online, as textbook prices and other supplies often cost more than seven hundred dollars per quarter. However, the most important thing to say would probably be that he should join a club as soon as possible. It will help in the long run.

DJ

Life is not about the destination but about the journey. Life will take you to places you never expected and plans will change. Life may not goes as you planned it but it is these events that will ultimately make you who you are meant to be.

Marion

My advice for any person about to embark on any new experience, particularly college, sounds simple, but is far more challenging than it first seems: Have an open mind and heart; you will witness more beauty in the world than imaginable. Once you have formed your beliefs, have conviction in them. Encourage yourself to grow and change, but do not conform to the status quo. Do not do the easy thing. Do the difficult thing. Work hard. Laugh. Meet new people, and learn about them. Discover how diverse the human population truly is. It is our diversity that unites us. Do not assume you know a person until you have had a completely honest conversation with them. Listen. Read thought provoking books. Liberate yourself by learning. Be inspired. Do not rely on anyone to teach you. Actively pursue your education, in and outside the classroom. Love. You only have one life, do not live it for anyone else. Think critically, establish an informed opinion, and find the strength from within to be your own person. Above all, you must live your life for yourself.

Sarah

I would have told myself the importance of taking advantage of everything that is available to me at the University of Cincinnati. It is easy for freshman to get caught up in the off-campus social life, which is very contrary to the University of Cincinnati's mission and core values. UC offers every possible organization that one can think of. They make it very easy for one to even found their own organization; and therefore put students at the center of our university. UC knows the importance of enabling students to truly be a part of our university. Once I overcame taking advantage of the freedom given to me by entering college, I was clearly able to see the benefits of UC have been pushed in my face. Everywhere you go on campus, there are opportunities available for everyone, which supports the diverse campus that we have. UC is a very fortunate university for all of it's achievements that have been made, it's outstanding programs including the nationally ranked DAAP, and the abundance of resouces available at our campus that make our university truly, UnComparable.

Kristen

If I were to go back in time and talk to myself as I high school senior I would tell myself to focus on my studies, listen to people I have grown to trust and don?t give in to peer pressure in order to fit in. It is so easy to give in to the temptation to take it easy during your senior year. I would tell myself keep working hard, push yourself and strive for excellence. Always work hard in order to put yourself in a better position to receive scholarships to defer from college loans. I would tell myself to listen to people I trust, instead of disregarding their opinion in order to have things I want but don?t really need. Understand that when they tell you something it is because they love you and want to keep you from making mistakes. Most importantly, I would tell myself judge people according to who they are right now, and not who they say they are going to be. Sometimes despite the best intentions people are not able to change. I would tell myself always have fun, but find a good balance between work and fun.

Emily

Prepare! The most unrelenting thing that hunts me still today was my inhability to keep good record of my finances and budgets. I knew I had a large size college fund that I was blest with after the passing of my grandfather, but I didn't realized the amount would be gone in two years! If I could go back I would have worked harder, saved and scrounged my money, and taken on a second job. If I could only go back and whisper wisdom in my young ears! The time consuming work that is college, has caused me to focus on nothing but learning and achieving success. I have worked so hard to place myself in my third year with 3.4 GPA in my major but have failed to look back on the finance books! I am blest that my family supports me and have produced the necessary funds to keep my learning in progress motion. And in time the fruits of my labor will pay off to both our benifit. I want to give back to them, who have already given me life, with my own success and the right decision for my higher education goals!

Ashley

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would tell myself to think positive and prepare myself for the most exciting years of my life. I would also say that it is not all fun and games. College is a lot of work and if you cannot commit to it, then there is no point in even going. I would say that earning a college degree is definitely worth it in the end, even though it can take a long time. College is probably the best thing that can happen to anyone, making them a more cultured and well-rounded individual who holds useful knowledge.

Carrie

I would tell myself to take college classes through a post-secondary program while still attending High School.

Eric

Even though I took much longer to go through my undergrad (8 years), I would not regret speeding up the process to just get a degree. I would say to myself that your education experience is a journey of trial, error and lifefulfilling experiences/lessons. This "journey" will define who you are and what sets you apart from the others. The other people in your graduating class many years from now may be "farther along", though potential employers and peers will look up to your experiences and will never be able to compete! The experiences and knowlege of attempting new things is the more valuable asset than getting a "degree" the normal route. This is what makes a truly successful entrprenuer, rock star employee or potential business partner!

Pete

Go to all classes

Terene

nothing im set!

Kassandra

If I could go back into the past I would tell myself to first and foremost, stay focused. Do not let others become destractions because college is an important factor in growing to become a successfull and positive person. Don't get mad because you feel as if grown people want to control your life. Accept guidance from authority figures and not care about feelings of angry and disappointment. Quit trying to judge people and accept help. Engage in some of the programs offered by the college and appreciate them just as if you would your drivers license; listen and learn. Put your needs first in regards to getting the best education possible, and make choices that would benefit you and help you choose a school and major. You can browse around on the internet and read blogs about fun activities through out varies school. Some people post interactions on different websites where you can meet new college buddies through social events. You have the choice of accepting or decling an invitation from someone. You can meet focused individuals and still have fun, but in the end it's you and your determination that leads you to completing your destiny.

Asia

Just breathe Asia. Sometimes things will get so hard that they feel to hard to bare. There will be days when you may want to quit and give in, but just keep going. Remember to always manage your time. Don't forget to make time for you. The work will be there the next day, but don't kill yourself over it. Never go anywhere alone, find someone you trust to walk around on campus with you, even if its 5 minutes away. People are crazy on campus, so don't get caught up. And please, please know that it is ok to cry. Tears often times help heal wounds that are often hard to heal. Even though it may seem as though crying makes things worse, they often times make things work. It's ok to cry. So repeat after me, breathe, manage, cry.

Samantha

Save money and college is different than high school. This means more study time so get ready.

Ella

First and foremost I would tell myself to study hard in high school because the study habits you learn there carry over. Secondly, I transferred my sophomore year of college to UC from a school in Chicago. Thus, I would also remind myself to pick one college and STAY put. It's such a hassle to move from state to state or from school to school. Juggling credits, seeing what can go where, how far ahead or behind you are, etc. is such an unnecessary headache. Lastly, I'd tell myself to try to enjoy it, make friends, invest time in activities and take advantage of financial aid and scholarships. I'd tell myself to start preparing NOW verses later or "when you get there." It's hard to work full-time and go to school full-time. I've made a lot of sacrifices to just go to college. I do not feel like these years are "the best years of my life." I've never been to a sporting event and I don't have many friends. I'd tell myself to relax, not to fret and enjoy what comes with college life.... I've missed out.

Courtney

If I could go back in time to give myself advice as a high school senior, I would tell myself about everything I learned in the past 2 years of college. First off, develop good study habits. In high school, I could easily wing my tests therefore I didn't study as much. It took awhile to create a study habit that suited me best. Secondly, get a summer job a start your credit. Since I didn't have credit, my mom put my loans in her name. Now that I have joined Army ROTC my Junior year, they cannot pay those loans because they're not in my name. Therefore, I still have a lot of money in loans to pay back. Third would be that school comes first. I sometimes get so caught up in extracurricular activities and social events that I tend to forget why I'm really here at this univeristy. Lastly, I would say to always ask for help. I am very independent and like to figure things out on my own. I would tell myself that it's ok to go ask for help and go seek a tutor, especially in Math and Chemistry!

DaJuana

i would have told myself to go to a 2year college first and then transfer to a 4 year. i would have been alot cheaper and i would have been better prepared.

Laeia

If I had to give myself any advice about the transition to the college experience, I would definitely have told myself to take a ton of AP classes to get a head start and save money when I enrolled at a university. There's not much other than that that one can do to prepare for the college experience. Sure, dorm life is a bit different from living in a room with my siblings, but the lack of privacy is still there. And, the course work at the university is not much more difficult, at least in the first year, from what I encountered in high school. Some of the classes I took in high school were more advanced than my first year classes! So I guess the best advice would have been to relax about the whole thing. It was not the end of the world. It was more like moving a goldfish to a bigger tank. Yes, I had to get reaquainted with the items in the new tank, but the environment was the same. School is school just like a fish tank is just a tank.

Emily

be yourself and get involved with alot of things on campus right off the bat, dont wait to see how it goes, just jump in!

Carli

It is important to stay focused during senior year. Colleges are more competitive than ever and to be accepted into the best Design programs grades are a key factor. I would suggest spending more time on college visits to ensure that the college is the best fit for my interests, both academically and personally. In addition, I would spend more time learning about and applying for scholarships. Even public university tuition is expensive and there are many scholarship opportunities available to help defer some of the costs.

Melissa

I would have started saving more money in High School. You can look at a college and see how much it costs but you have to add in money for books and housing. I would have planned better so that I would not have had to move back home. I also would have taken more seriously the task of picking a major. I have had to changed majors twice already and that has put me a year behind where I should be. I am happy to be in a field that I enjoy but I wish I would have made myself more aware of all of the options I had. I didn't do my homework in high school. And by this I mean I didn't set up job shadows or campus visits with particular majors within UC. I wish I would have prepared for college in high school instead of using my freshmen year to do that. It is costly and can get very frustrating.

Jessica

I was never really a senior in high school. I combined my junior and senior year and graduated a year early. For one, I would never do that again. I did not give myself time to really think about what I wanted to do "when I grew up." I would have definitely sat down and researched more career options instead of just choosing out of the blue because I wanted to be cool and know like all the other "seniors" did; when in reality, they really didn't know either. I would have probably shadowed more people to get a feel of what I wanted to do. This way I would not go into anythin blind sided like I did. I would also prepare myself more for the studying habits I needed to get into to make the first year less stressful.

Lauren

If I had a chance to go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior already knowing how college life is I would tell myself to make sure that I do more than the bare minimum. I would tell myself to study harder and to actually learn things instead of learning it for the test and forgetting it later. I would also tell myself to get involved in more community service opportunites because that looks good on any type of resume or application. High school was a very fun time during my life and college is ten times better, but I would tell myself to enjoy high school while it lasts because you really miss everyone you used to hang out with. Lastly, I would tell myself that in college you can not just "fly by" and you actually have to study, and start things early and not procrastinate.

Ha

I admitted i was one of those students who didn't do their work. In the beginning of the year, I didn?t put much effort in doing my homework. I guess, I felt over confident in myself since most of the things we learned were review. But then the bad habit was keep carrying on from one semester to the next and the evidences were slowly popping up on my test grades. From my experiences, I?ve learned that in order to practice what one has said one will do, one must do the task immediately instead of stalling by saying the homework can be done the next day. Paying attention in class is the first step. By obtaining the basic information about the topic, I was able to finish my homework in a less amount of time. Good notes taking during lectures are also helpful because it helped to understand more about the topic. I prefer to use the book when I don?t understand the topic. You should use the book only as a reference because there are some materials or short cuts the teacher would tried to teach you that?s not in the book.

Rasheda

I'll be like self and then myself says hmm!! lol:) First, I tell myself girl get your grades up so you can get scholarships to go to college. Then, I'll explain to myself how important college is and why I should of finish college at least years after high school. This way I will have a jump start to my career. I'll say college is suppose to be fun and challenging, a great adventure.

Sarah

It may seem like school, right now, doesn't matter. How well you do isn't going to affect you in college. But it does. I wish I had known that all grades affect your college career. It isn't necessarily a clean slate. I would also tell myself not to worry so much about what other people think. Be yourself, and the people who like YOU FOR YOU are the friends you will have forever. They are the ones that count.

Tania

I have a noticeable spinal deformity called scoliosis; it was first noticed when I was one year old. I had my first surgery when I was six years old and others at ages seven, eight, thirteen and fifteen. When I was younger, having scoliosis didn?t bother me much; as I got older, I became more self-conscious. If I could go back and say one thing to myself in high school, I would say not to be self-conscious about my appearance. College is such a new experience and there are many people who would accept me as I am. I have made many new friends and two new close friends. I am enjoying college very much.

Benjamin

First, I would visit as many campuses as the student desires. You can't get a good feel of a particular college setting if you are not there to experience it personally. If the school appeals to the student academically and socially, the student should visit that campus and tour as much of it as possible. Of course, other things need to be considered before choosing, such as the cost and location. Once the college has been chosen, you must get involved. Academics come first, and school work should always be the top priority. But, there is a good amount of free time outside of the classroom which should be utilized by getting involved, meeting new people, and learning new things. The people you become friends with at college are often your closest friends for the remainder of your life. Parents, help your students research and find as much financial aid as possible. College costs are tremendous and add up very quickly, but there are many places that offer applications for scholarships and grants, particularly online.

Vanessa

Choose a college that you feel has everything you are looking for. If a college is number one in your major or field, go for it! Do not hesitate to ask administration and faculty prior to attending a school about the dynamics of the college of university. To make the most out of your college experience, you need to go to class, because you are paying for every single one. You also need to have a nice balance of academic life and social life, however do not let your social life dictate how you do in college. Overall, you need to choose a college that bets fits you academically, socially, and that takes education as seriously as you do.

Veronica

I encourage you to tour as many schools as you can, it is better to choose when there is a variety to choose from. It is also a good idea for you to have some knowledge of what type of career path you would to pursue in order to find a school that fits your needs. I advise you to learn about the different social groups, clubs, and volunteer opportunities your campus has to offer, these activities will allow you to build a strong resume and create friendships. It is most important to stay atop of your studies and keep up with homework (even if it?s just ?Suggested Problems?). At times it can be tough, but you must figure out a way to properly manage your time. After living my first year of college across the street from the main campus, I strongly advocate you to live close to your school. The chance to live near my university granted me countless opportunities- such as volunteering, meeting with group partners, and socializing with new friends. My first year of college was the greatest time of my life and I hope your freshman year will also be exciting. GOOD LUCK!

Holly

When picking the right college, make sure you make a list of exactly what your IDEAL college have. After that, make sure you consider location and cost. Out of state tuition is a lot more money, so that's very important! It's also important to remember what you want your major to be, because not all colleges have the same programs, and some colleges' programs are a lot better than others. Other things to take into consideration are the disability services and what life is like for the locals, because you will, essentially, become one. Make sure to visit all of the campuses during school hours, and talk to the students that you see. Campuses feel different during different times of the day and week, so you want to get a good feel for that. And don't be afraid to visit the campus multiple times to get the perfect fit. Don't rule out community and technical colleges, and make sure you have as much fun in the process as possible! Picking colleges is a lot of fun, so go into it with an open mind.

Raquel

As a sophmore of The University of Cincinnati, I am extremely pleased with my college decision. I advise every person I encounter to apply for as many scholarships as possible. I try to educate students on the process of choosing the right school such as; college visits, shadowing students of alike major interests, becoming involved in sports (such as rowing), joining spirit clubs for the athletic departments; for all these allow first time college students to make friends much easier. For parents, I know it was difficult for my mom to watch me, her youngest, go to college; but what made things easier on me was the freedom she allowed me to grow with. I still had a curfew and let her know where I was, but the way I was able to stay later at the library to work on projects and attend the football games made my college experience all the better! College is a scary place in the transition from High-School, but as long as students get involved and research information about the school to see if it is the right match for them, they will not have any regrets. That's my experience at least.

kenyatta

When choosing the best college for a family member or yourself dont look for just the fun of the college. think about whether or not this college will place you in the best path of your career, while at the same time offering you a well lit and friendly environment. consider the professor ratings and the class sizes as well. look to see whether the school has diversity and other statistical information about the school. never go by a bochure or a commercial. do further research on the school to make sure this is the place that will offer the best educational journey for you. although school is about learning, it is also about the money so you want to make sure not only that you pick a school that you can afford and that offers financial assistance but a school that is worth investing thousands of dollars in to. over all a university can sound amazing from the outside world but in order to get first hand experience take college tours and always apply at different universities just in case one turns you down. get involved in the campus life and make friends.

James

Do not pick the the university with the best party scene or athletics. Yes, the social part of college is important for networking, however, financial and academic issues are the cause of most concern. When picking and finally attending the right school, think of it as a fresh start. Do not hesitate to network and meet new people. Working with a group is more beneficial than to trying to take on course work by yourself.

Jessica

Make sure you visit the college at different times in the year to get a cohesive idea of the campus lifestyle. also get involved in activities that welcome non-campus community members to see how the campus interacts with it's community. Most of allASK QUESTIONS!!!!

Michael

The first thing I did when looking for a college was to pick schools that offer a wide range of academic programs. This gives you a lot of options if you are undecided or decide to change majors. Second, I decided on campus location- either rural, city, or somewhere in between. This is important not only in finding entertainment and things to do, but also gives opportunities for jobs/internships that may be available to students while in school and after graduation. Once enrolled in school, build as many relationships as you can- with teachers, students, and other faculty. Networking is the most important thing while at school. It makes your overall experience easier. You can get teacher reccommendations, an on-campus job, find out what course/professor to take, or simply borrow a classmates notes before a test. Networking is crucial. At times you may feel overwhelmed. Make sure there is a balance between work and play. Go to the rec center, hang out with friends, or attend an campus event. But also, find what there is to do off campus. Restaurants, shoppings, movies, professional sports. Just get out.