University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Top Questions

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

Billy

In order to find the right college; first, the prospective student must identify a career path. A Meyer-Briggs analysis may be useful in determining what type of personality you have. Once you determine a field of study an online search is applicable. Look for colleges that are accredited, respectable, and have good career outlooks. This is where a student will spend much of the next two to seven or more years, so the campus should be comfortable for the student. Assess the campus size, security, architecture, technology, and reports from magazines such as US News and World Reports. The college should have the same mission and values that you find important. Also, activities and affiliations are areas to consider. Once you visit the campus, trust your gut. Look in the buildings, classrooms, dorms, library, cafeteria, and anywhere else you will spend your time. Determine if there will be any accessibility issues for you individually. If disability services are necessary, now is a good time to meet them. Most importantly, talk to current students, faculty, and staff. This will be your network of peers and instructors for many years. If you mesh well, then congratulations on your new college.

mary

Look at other sources for text books (very expensive), educate their children on the evils of credit cards - unless they have experience and monitoring of its usage. get to know their professors (they cannot shoot you or eat you - they are people too) they are helpful, insightful and that is their job - to help and counsel you. Plus you might need them for a reference and if they don't know you they cannot write about you. find a good academic counselor, shop around , ask your professors and other students. If you are told that you cannot do something find out why not, often times it is because no one has every asked. Be persistent and don't get behnd in your reading, it is assigned for a reason.

Ishmael

do a lot of reasearch on the schools you plan to attend. talk to the students currently attending and ask their opinion, not the one's who have graduated already. don't talk to the staff, student advisors, or the person giving the tour/orientation because their job is to convince you that their school is the best choice. if you're a student fresh off high school and/or have no experience in attending a 4-year college, find out how much you have to pay each quarter and/or semester and what is required of you to do before you are admitted (i.e. parking, credit transfers from other institutions, imposed fees). always keep in mind that colleges are institutions that wants to make the most money off of you. believe it or not, most college staff are not looking out for your best interest.

William

Remember that learning is mostly your own responsibility, and, because of this, many schools can become as good as you make them. So don't stress about being accepted to the most prestigious school and don't be disappointed if your first choice college isn't where you end up. Do your best wherever you go and know that your success is mostly a function of what you do, not where you are.

Benjamin

Go visit campuses and walk around from building to building and also around the campus. Also look for on-campus living and check into co-op programs. Co-op can be one of the best things to do during college. It gives the best real-life career experience.

Maryanna

When looking for the right college make sure that it has the right field that the student wants to get into. It is important that you look for a college that is the right size in order to have more or less interaction with the professors. Personally, with having more interaction with the professor you get things done the way they want, which will reflect upon the grade that you do receive in class. The clearer the message the better it is heard and understood. Also, to make sure if you want to live far away and are willing to make that sarcrifice to consider that you won't always be able to come home whenever you want. As for making the most of the experience, give yourself some time to relax. There will always be time to study, read, and do homework. Finding the time to relax and ease the stress to enjoy your life overall is what is important. Do hang out with friends and attend a parties. Though, make sure you have enough information on every college you want to attend in order to make the best decision.

Moriah

I would definitely consider the size of the college as opposed to the relative shyness of the student. Attending a large school will make it easier to find people who are interested in similar things, but it will take longer to find them. Join as many groups as you can, because these are the people who you will bond with the most. Also, take into account the services the school provides such as counseling and career services. If you have the luxury of knowing what program you are interested in, seek out a current student in the program and as them how they feel about it. They will be able to tell you more truthfully the weaknesses and strengths of the program than an admissions advisor would. Overall, go somewhere that you will be happy. If you are miserable in your surroundings, your work and life will suffer, only making the problem worse.

Jessica

Look around, and keep your major in mind. don't forget to look out of state and make sure you like the campus

Sarma

Remember to balance lifestyle. Academics, social activities, daily living habits are all important. It is important to find a school that provides support in all areas of life. Look for a school that provides tutoring, a good gym, and lots of extra curricular activities. What you do ouside of class may sometimes be more important than what you do inside. Therefore, look for a college that will mature you to be the individual you envison a decade from now. Take time to analyze the curriculum carefully. Tour the department to ensure that they can provide proper education. Look at the labs, classrooms, and study rooms. Try to meet a few professors to get a feel for what type of classes to expect. Also, make sure you talk to a lot of students around campus. Ask a lot of questions during your tours. Good Luck!

Michelle

Study, make friends, and follow your dreams not what anyone thinks you should study.

Amanda

Visit a few different colleges and choose the favorite. Talk to people in the departments that the student wants to major in.

Katherine

Do not look at the merits of the school and the money. Try and see if you will really be happy - spend a day with a student or spend a few days on campus just walking around. And don't just listen to the tour guides - most of them know very little.

Cecilia

When looking for the best college look for what you like best. Do not go to a college because your best friend is going there or because your family wants you to. Go to a school that makes you happy, secure, and most importantly excited for your future. Whatever you do, do it for yourself.

craig

for those families that have financial problems and are bot able to afford college for their kids choose wisley and budget.

Lindsay

take the time to visit all campuses you are interested in

Judy

With any school, you need to visit and interact with people from the University. It's important to remember that everyone's experience will be different. Be open-minded and willing to step out of your comfort zone a little. College is all about what you put into it. Making the most of whatever University you pick is key. It's not as important to find a school that specializes in your career field, but to find a school that makes you feel welcome and that you can see yourself going to. These 4-6 years will be the most life altering, confusing, hard, poor, but best years of your life. Make the most of whatever univeristy stands out to you. That is the most important part.

Carrie

The simplest advice I could give to anyone exploring the college descision-making process, is to really explore your options. If money is an issue, try to keep that on the back burner while looking at different colleges to not let it ultimately interfere with your decision. Colleges work very hard to allow any type of student attend, regardless of money. And especially for students, make sure you come to college with open eyes. College is completely different from high school and involves growing up whether you like it or not. Time management is a great skill aquired throughout your college career. Work hard. Academics come first, but make sure you make time to have fun and be yourself. The balance between these two will ultimately reward you with the best college experience you could ever hope for.

Zaneta

Go and visit the school and spend a day in a class or two. Look at all your options first before choosing your first school,. Go with an open mind, you will most likely change your major at least twice. Know that there are people coming from everywhere with different opinions and views that may not be like yours. Make sure you enjoy college life because afterwards the real world can be brutal. Dont let anyone change who you are, but be optimistic. Dont adhere to peer pressure, if you dont want to do something or dont like something its ok to say no, be yourself.

Theresa

The advice I would give is to find somewhere that makes you, the student, feel comfortable. I made the mistake of attending a school that I did not fit in at because of its reputation. I did badly and did not like my peers. I transferred to a less reputable school but the diversity here makes me feel so much more welcome. Campus visits can help you decide whats best as well as talking to currect students at the university. Also, joining some sort of organization can bring life-long friends and help you cope with the stress of school. Don't overdo it though. An organization or two is enough. Most of all, don't be afraid to try new things. College is a journey and it can be very rewarding!

Ashley

The best advice I can give is to really look in to all of your options. Go to your school counselor and ask for information on schools. Go online and look at varying universities, visit the campuses, and look hard into the majors offered, the success rates, and try talking to other students to find out what that school is really like. If you're short on money, apply for every scholarship that you can, and if it's possible, dorm for atleast your first year just so you can establish some friendships.

Mary

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Lori

My advice to the parents of prospective college students is simple. First, it's okay if your child does not have a major in mind. They are young, and to expect them to make a choice coming out of high school of what they want to do for the rest of their life is pretty intimidating. Many schools assist in program placement based on your child's interests and strengths. For those who have an idea coming in, it is wonderful to be able to get a start on a career that you seem to enjoy. For this population, I would recommend looking into each school at the individual program to see if it is of any interest. If so, then look at the college as a whole including extracirricular activites, campus housing, tutoring services, social events, etc. Once in school, it is good to go in with an open mind. This is a time not only to learn and prosper, but to gain important bonds, create special memories, and most importantly, it is a time to grow and mature as an individual, so make the most of it!

india

Looking for the right college can bring upon lots of stress and can become a hassle. However these fears can be placed behind you when you simply bring careful planning into the matter. One of the first things that you want to examine is the cost; sit down with your child and organize a financial plan that will fit your budget. School counselors can help in determing what necessary steps needed to be taken but you first want to have your limit written down. Secondly have your child list some of the factors that are important to them such as activities, small class room lectures, close social networks, available dorms, and so on. Make sure to combine the financial plan along with the personal preference list and begin to point out the critical pieces by concluding which factors are more important than the others. By this time you should have a list of choices you will consider, ordered from most desired to least desired. When this process is complete, make sure to apply for financial aid so that you and your child dont have to worry about coverage.

Justin

Don't just commit to the first school that accepts you. Go to each campus, get a feel for it, sit in on a relevant class. Stop a passing student and ask them about their experiences at the school. College is a fresh start, don't go into college with the same mindset you left high school with. You will adapt to the collegiate lifestyle much more quickly.

Andrew

Find a college that has world renown professors and that does a large amount of high tech research. Also find one that spends money on top-notch professors and students. My school has spent a lot of money on construction projects - not helpful towards my education.

Megan

My advice to parents and students when searching for the right college is to take advantage of college visits. A parent/student will not get the full feel of a college unless they personally see what it has to offer. While deciding on a college, chose one that will fit you best. You can never look at too many colleges. It is a good idea to look at more than just one college in order to compare different schools. It is important to focus on academics, but also to get involved with campus activites in order to meet people and enjoy your college experience. College is a huge step into adulthood and becoming independent; therefore, it is important to make the most of it.

Kadi

I have a couple of different pieces of advice for students when they are looking for the right college. First, I would try to find a friend to stay with at the college you are looking at. Try to get the actual student feel of the school. While the student tours are nice and give you an idea of the school, shadowing a student/ friend would give you the best feel for it. Another piece of advice is make sure you are deciding for yourself. Do not base your choice of colleges off your friends. Lastly, even if you do not get into your first choice school, give your second or even third choice a try. Be open to new ideas and experiences. I went to my second choice school and would not change it for the world. Get involved on campus. There are so many different opportunities for you in college: sports, clubs, volunteering, sororities, fraternaties, tutoring, and many others. Getting involved will help you to meet many people and make college fun and enjoyable!

Allison

I only took this survey because I was painfully bored. I am not going to waste my time writing a meaningless 200 word essay for some internet bullshit because I am 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} positive I am not going to win your "scholarship" if it even really exists (doubtful). I have done like 4,384,985 of these things and I have never heard of anyone getting any money. Ten thousand dollars would be pretty nice though considering I am already at least fifty thousand dollars in debt (after interest) in student loans even though I work my ass off at my job while taking maximum credit hours. Advice I would give parents is do not spend your life savings (including 401k and college funds) on a dumb ass investment when you have reproduced a house full of kids (5!) that will all need money for their EDUCATION: shoutout to my parents! Well this rant is over, have a nice day :)

Kelly

Be practical and remember all things in moderation.

Aaron

Be sure to visit any institution prior to acceptance. It is important to be sure that the interests and goals of the student can be met at the location desired. Some schools are quite small, and may lack additional extracurricular activities or even opportunities, such as research and Co-ops, to get real-world experience in the student's field of study. Small class sizes are available at bigger universities just as much as small colleges. Be prepared to study hard and engage in lots of reading. Reading textbooks and writing papers will be the most essential thing to succeeding in courses. However, never be afraid to approach a faculty member whenever there is uncertainty about an assignment or classroom procedure... always better to be safe than sorry. Almost all will be more than happy to arrange times to meet with you in instances where email correspondence is insufficient. Regardless, do not wear yourself out entirely with homework but make time to attend sporting events with friends. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, avoid on campus bookstores at all costs? or it will cost you! ABEbooks.com is a great place to make your necessary purchases. Good luck!

Chris

Make sure that your child enjoys every aspect of the college, don't just enjoy a few aspects of the college because if they do at some point they will be miserable. Get involved in an organization on campus so that you can devolve new relationships that will last a life time.

Yva

In order to pick the right college for your child, agree to visit a few colleges that you like and your child likes. Go visit the college and share what either of you like and don't like about a college. Make sure the academics is stressed very importantly because you want a college that is strong academically and is affordable. Also, find a college where there is plenty of things to do on the weekends so that your child can have fun too rather than partying all the time on the weekends. Find a college that has a strong security team so that your child is safe and a college that is not too big, or too small but the perfect size.

Kim

Go with your heart and make sure you visit the campus first.

Bethany

My advice would be to just find a college that appeals to all aspects of who you are. Don't just choose a college based on an academic program, although that is important. Choose a college based on the area surrounding the campus, the people you've met already from campus, the faculty/advisors, and the campus itself. Finding the right fit is sometimes challenging. Learn what your interests are, if you are not yet sure, and find a college that can appease those interests. By choosing a college that covers as many aspects as possible will make for the best college experience because there will be less things the college is lacking, for you.

Cassandra

My advice to parents and students would be to do what feels right. Safety, is of course a huge issue, and all campuses and urban cities have their fair share of crime, but preparing yourself for the worst and hoping for the best is a great way to start off. Learning tactics to be safe is very important when starting a new chapter of your life in a new place. I started school undecided and UC had an amazing program in place called Learning Communities. This helped me find what I really wanted to do, while giving me, basically instant friends in our group of about 20. Other schools had similar programs but none like ours. These are things that I would look for in a school, guidance, helpful upperclassman, and of course a beautiful campus. Another inticment about UC, was the distance from home, about an hour. This has helped me adjust but feel safe as well. When I visited UC I had a gut feeling I would like it, although my parents were not happy about the location; But I went for it, and four years later I am happily starting my Masters in Social Work.

Windai

be open to a new and unfamiliar place. don't choose a place all your friends plan on going to. most of all, be happy and if youre not happy, you can always change!

Tiffany

Be careful that you are ready to make the financial investment you will be called upon to make once you enroll in college. Carefully consider going to a school that you can afford and/or offers the best financial award package. Once you arrive at school, ensure that you have solid money management skills. It will be very difficult for you to commit to your studies or participate in social and/or extracurricular activities if you have significant financial issues. Being able to have a little bit of extra money in your pockets frees your mind of unnecessary worries and allows you to focus on what you came to college to do: learn, grow, and have fun!

Benjamin

One of the greatest pieces of wisdom I can give parents and students when finding the right college, is to really get a feal of the atmosphere. The best thing you can do is plan your own trip, try and see that university how it really is, by not going on scheduled tours, and by understanding how a "normal" day really feels. Sure, cost and quality are important things when deciding where to further your education, but if you're not comfortable in the university's environment it's going to be difficult to put your nose to the grinder when you need to get the work done. You won't be at your highest level of performance, and your grades and health will suffer. So, in earnest, the greatest piece of advice I can give to parents and future students is, go off the beaten path. Spend a few days at your university, and try to blend in to the daily life. Be comfortable where you are, your nerves and your mind will thank you for it.

Kyle

I would tell parents that they should find a college that they feel their child would be safe and get the best opportunity to gain a good degree. Also, let the student choose somewhere they are comfortable. If the student isn't comfortable, stress could be added to their already potential hectic school and social load. Students should not choose a school just for its popularity. Sure it would be more fun to be a place where sporting and other social events are exciting, but if the school provides too much of a distraction, the students grades could suffer. Also, don't be afraid to talk to people. The more friends you make, the more willing people there are to help you with what you need and the less alone you will feel.

Leigha

I think so much of "choosing the right school" is actually how you react to school once you're in it. You can go to college anywhere and get a great education- it's all what you make of it. Visit the campus and see if you vibe with it. Tune out unimportant factors, like where all your friends or your significant other is going, and ask yourself if you can really see yourself walking around campus. Check out the activities and what people do on weekends. Going with your gut instinct usually works, and even if it turns out to be different than you expected, be flexible and open-minded. Choosing to participate in activities, going to class regularly and getting involved in a social scene is where the real college experience is, no matter what city or state you're in.

Alexander

The best advice I can give parents and students about finding the right college is to visit the campuses of the schools you are interested while school is in session. This will show you what the campus will really look like when you are there and allow you to see the different types of people that go there. Most incoming students have no idea what they major in so focus on a campus that you like and could live on for many years. The quality of education is important but so is the college experience so I encourage people to live on campus for the experience and the independence.

Danielle

Go looking at colleges in the junior year of high school. It seems really early and overwhelming, but the sooner one checks out schools, and applies, the pressure seems to lift a bit. Take advantage of your high school counselor, ask about what steps you need to take to get into college, and how to prepare yourself; take all the college preparation courses the high school offers for students and parents. Keep your grades up!! DONT LET SENIORITIS GET TO YOU!! Visit the colleges you are thinking about attending, take the tour, talk with the students and see what college you believe you will be the most comftorable at. Take advantage of student activities at your college, for instance like a game night, or a study group. Dont skip classes. You or your parents are paying for it, so instead of throwing money out the window... GO TO CLASS EVERYDAY!!

kim

Make sure you take time to visit the campus and see if it`s too big or small for you. Talk to current students and alumni! Get to know what programs are at your school.

Doug

To the parents let your kids decide where they want to go, but make sure you are a part of their decsion with financial support. Make sure it is within your budget to help them with little things. As for the students look at a few colleges not just one. Live on campus in the dorms and be active with fellow dormies, makes the year extremely fun. Make sure to try to include everyone and don't trash talk or leave anyone out. And if you want to succeed ask professors for help in your classes they are there for you. I have found out the hard way that all professors want to do is help never be affraid to ask how you can do better in the class early instead of later. I personally put things off until they are almost due, try not to do that if you know you have a big project do start working on it a little at a time it will relieve alot of stress. Don't Party every night you will fail faster then you think. Last but not least have some FUN, and you dont always need alchol to do that.

Jonathan

Finding the right college requires that the student know what he or she is looking for, research a number of colleges thoroughly, and start the college search process early. Ideally, the student should determine by the beginning of junior year what is most important in a college, e.g., the academic subjects offered, geographic area and campus type, distance from home, and extracurricular activities offered. By spring of junior year, the student should visit several colleges that are on the ?serious contenders? list. My sister and I visited up to six colleges each with our family. For each of us, one college that seemed perfect on paper was eliminated after our visit. Complete essays and applications over the summer before senior year and submit them in September to make senior year easier for students and families alike. Also, apply to one safety school that the family can afford and that that informs students early of their acceptance. By submitting our applications early, we had our guidance counselor?s undivided attention, minimized stress at home, and by December, had been accepted to a college that we looked forward to attending.

Molly

Parents-- don't pressure your child into choosing a school that YOU think they would like; let them decide for themselves, and be supportive. Students-- Don't choose a school or major based on what you think is expected of you; choose a major and a school that you truly are interested in.

Lindsay

Start looking for colleges early and never rule any college out before seeing it. Take campus tours and get a feel for the college. Don't worry about the cost. Go to a college according to the degrees it has, not because friends are going. You want to enjoy your major and the jobs that go with it because if you get a degree in something you didn't want a job in, you will not be happy and you will regret your decision.

Anna

Go with your gut instinct! Look at all the different possibilities. Make pro and con lists for each school! Do not pick a school because that's where your friends are going! Choose a school based on your own gut instinct!

Ryan

The advice I would give parents and/or students about finding the right college is the same thing my father told me when I chose the University of Cincinnati. This is going to be the place they spend the next four years of their life. Therefore, they need to find a university that they can be proud of and excited to attend. While academic programs and reputation is extremely important, a student must feel comfortable and excited about the university. As a result of choosing a university that you can be proud of, you will get the most out of your college experience. A student will be more likely to get involved in groups that make the university a better place. By getting involved due to this spirit, the student will maximize the potential for a great experience at their respective university.

Valerie

In order to find the right campus, I think that you should visit ahead of time with friends on a weekend night. Check out the environment and see how well that matches what you always thought school would be like. Viisit a nearby sports bar to check out a game and see what the people are like. And in making the most of the college experience, the biggest piece of advice that I would give is to venture away from campus- often. If you live in a dorm or on campus housing, your life will get in the biggest rut if all you do is stay around the same place with the same people all the time. Have more than one group of friends. It's important to have party friends for the weekends, but also make some friends from within your classes to study with and stay out of trouble.