University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

Of all the things I could tell my high school self, it wouldn't be about managing money or making sure I get all my homework done on time. I would tell myself to get out, have some fun, and make some friends. I went to the Colorado Springs campus of CU last year and had absolutely no social life. I went to school, went to work, went home, slept, an started the cycle over again. While I thought that's all I needed at the time, I have since realized how much I was actually missing. In Boulder, I have gotten involved in various clubs, including Kendo, Campus Crusade, and PSA. I have also found time to go out and have fun with my room mates and friends. My school work has not suffered, I'm training for a job related to my field, and I'm happier over all than I used to be. Getting out and expieriencing new things has done wonders to my self-confidence and happiness. I would have definitely started doing that earlier had I known then what I know now.

Dear Christopher, It is with regret that I am to inform you that coming out of your freshman year, you will find yourself with two problems: (1) your grade point average is 2.5 and (2) you chose the wrong major. Coming into college, you had hopes of majoring in business with dreams of going to law school afterwards. After your freshman year, you found out that you loved politics more than business and with the economic downturn, you discovered that you can still have your own business regardless of your major and do not have to follow in your father's and brother's footsteps. The 2.5 gpa is a result of the difficulty you will experience in your business classes. It is for these reasons that I recommend you begin by majoring in political science, but moreso that you care not so much how much your grades are, but about learning and getting out of college what you want to. Despite your mistakes, you have and will buy various books from all political, philosophical, economical, historical, and religious perspective and teach yourself more than what you could ever learn in the classroom and from your degree.

GET YOUR GRADES UP! High school is so much easier. Take a bunch of classes. Grades. Study. Participate.

The advice I would give is to take as many AP classes as you can. I really felt like these prepared me for college-type work. Even if you don't do as well in them, they are still weighted. Also, the skills you learn in taking tests and writing essays are skills that will make you successful in college. Had I not had learned these skills earlier, college would have been much more difficult.

I would say, "Haley, make sure you mentally prepare yourself for the impact of multiple people's mentalities, and keep an open mind to different ways of life because you can never be too sure about how other people were brought up." Being in college, you learn quickly how people are, as far as comfort zones go, and you want to make sure you learn everyone's comfort zone because you want to know which people are the serious college students and which people could still use another year out of college. Knowing that fact, will quickly help you to find out what "type" of person you are. So you don't have to waste your time, your professor's time, or your fellow peer's time.

Remember that you are not the only one going into college confused about what you want to do in life. There are those lucky few who know right off the bat what majors they want to go into, but many times 1, 2, even 3 years down the road they change their mind. I want you to know that your time in college is special and you shouldn't take it for granted. Of course, you should have fun, make friends, join clubs, be silly but remember that there is no other time in your life when you will have the opportunity have school be your main worry. It's ok to make mistakes and not regret them, but being in college you should be aware enough to know which mistakes are ok to make now, so that they don't affect the rest of your life. College is a time to discover yourself, it is not high school where you worried about what other people thought of you. In college, you need to worry about whether you will love/respect/appreciate yourself 5, 10, 20 years down the road. Love college, love you, love the rest of your life.

I would have paid attention more in english because writing essays in college is much harder than it is in high school

One of the things that I would tell my self as a senior in high school is that it never hurts to socialize. As a freshman in college it would be a good idea to socialize a lot more and worry less about what people thought about you do to the activities or kind of person that you are. Socializing more really leads to good friendships and even further than that it can put you as an individual into better scenarios such as job situations or more acquaintances that make your life more fun and exciting.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to look around and realize that I am not alone. The biggest fear in the transition of going from a small suburban high school, to the largest public institution in my state, was the sheer masses of students I would be competing against. Because of this I did not initially continue into my current university, instead I took on a job at a local rocky mountain bank, at their urban Denver branch to further expand my perception on life. After one year of work, I was enlightened and absolutely excited at the thought of continuing my invaluable education. Working in corporate Denver, being exposed to the banking industry and entry-level management, introduced me to the necessity of synergy. In some ways, our education system forces an individualist approach on knowledge, when in the business environment, doing tasks on you own is doing you and your organization an injustice. After changing my ignorant high school attitude from thinking I could do everything on my own, smilingly impossible tasks became so attainable, thus shifting my fear of college into a giant opportunity to promote my success.

As a high school senior I was scared, stressed, and nervous. I had no idea what the future would hold for me. I just wish that someone could have told me that everything will work out. During your whole high school career you have built up a reputation of high standards and good integrity. You're not going to change your future by nit picking at each individual word you type in your college application essays. Be true to yourself and don't change anything that you've already been doing just because you're at the end of high school. Everything will work out, and you will be happy.

I have found college to be all about making positive transitions as gracefully as possible, and always keeping in mind the kind of person you want to be. In high school there always seemed to be pressures to make the grade and fit in, but college is about directing yourself for your own goals and discovering all the different choices and life paths around you. If I could talk to my high school self I would remind myself that life is a series of transitions and that it's empowering to make the best gutsy choices you can. I would tell myself that I must take full responsibility for all of my choices, and to keep one eye on my future occasionally while keeping the other fully concentrated on the present. Perhaps most importantly, I wouldn't beat myself up for the things I didn't achieve but I'd encourage myself to refocus and to strive fearlessly for whatever's next, always with the best in mind.

When searching for the right college for you a good place to start is finding what the prospective student wants to study. However it is likely, as a new student, you will change majors. A school with more possibilities is always preferable. Look at the cost of tuition and what your payment options will be. But don?t let cost keep you from applying. It?s easier to get money at a later date then it is to belay application to a university. Try to visit the university, If you don?t feel right on the campus, than it?s probably not the place for you. I?d also advise against procrastination. Get application for schools, scholarships, grants, loans etc. finished before the deadline. It will make your life easier and less stressful. Finally, once you are accepted look into extracurricular activities such as club/varsity/intercollegiate sports, clubs, special interest groups etc. Getting involved in your school and community is a great opportunity to meet new people and expand your resume at the same time. There is a world of opportunities outside your comfort zone. You never know what you can be interested in until you?re in college.

Being from San Diego I grew up by the beach in a big city. Everyone from my high school was too in love with California to leave and only even looked at going to a few select schools. Don't get me wrong, I loved where i grew up and couldn't feel more blessed but choosing to go to Colorado for school was one of the greatest decisions I've ever made. College is a chance to spend four years somewhere new while meeting new people and experiencing new things. If you choose to follow the lead of all your high school classmates you will never know what your missing. I went from a life on the beach to a life in the mountains. I lived in snow, experienced changing of seasons, life in a college town and became a much more well rounded person. The best advice I can offer is to break away from the pressure of your friends and try something new. College is the best time in your life to do so and once your done, you'll feel like you know so much more about the world and can conquer anything.

Make sure you visit the campus, before you set your heart on one. If you are just completing undergrad work, an in-state school might be the best for your student. There are pleanty of good resources for basic undergrad work. Make sure you love the environment that you are in, and that there is easy access to everything you love!

To parents: when your son or daughter is trying to find the right college, remember that this is their future and not yours. Let them go far form home if they want to go far ? encouraging distance will help them grow as an individual. Let them study what they want to study. Be supportive without being overprotective. To future college students: take in every moment as you can and seize every opportunity that comes your way. Use classes, professors, and your own effort to learn as much as you can as well as you can. This is your chance to develop into the person you want to be. Most of all, follow your gut about minor and major college decisions.

To parents: As much as you want your kids close to home, you have to let them have the freedom to pick their own college and/or live way from your house. If you don't you kid will only resent you and find some way to do it with or with your consent. To students: Choose a college you like based on classes. The reputation dosen't matter. For instance: Princton may be the best at law, but their are plenty of smaller universities that are actually better.

The advice I would give students on choosing the right college for them is to choose whatever college is best for them. Do not go to a college because the boyfriend is going there or best friend. Colleges are completely welcoming and friendly with so many new faces around the campus. They need to go to a college that will succeed in fulfilling their needs. They need to consider the class sizes and the classes itself. They need to make sure they will be able to receive the best learning experience where ever they go because their education comes first. After they considered those options, they should look into different organizations that they may be interested in and the living arrangements. Of course they want to consider costs, but remember, if they find a school that interests them and they believe they will learn best here, there are many options to afford that college. When in college, be determined and study hard. They are paying a lot of money for this education and they do not want to waste the money, but have fun too. They should enjoy themselves and make friends but be safe and make responsible choices.

Finding the right college doesn't always happen in the student's first year. Sometimes you have to experience something for a while to really pinpoint what you want for your college experience. One year at the wrong school showed me everything I wanted in my college experience and I was able to transfer to a school that fit me perfectly. Even though I chose the wrong school at first, I would never change it because my freshman year was still an invaluable experience. You can be at the wrong college and still have a great time as long as you're open to trying new things. If you enter college with an open mind, any college can provide you with an unforgettable experience both in and out of the classroom. The biggest thing about picking a college is figuring out what you like to do most in your spare time because that is one of the most crucial parts of making friends and participating on campus. And make sure to know what class sizes you prefer because that will make a big difference in your learning environment. As long as you go in wholeheartedly, you won't be disappointed.

Don't do what your friends are doing, just find the right fit for you. Go into college with an open mind and let yourself get involved in things that you wouldn't normally do

My best advice to parents and students searching for the right college is to consider three extremely important things. Number one, consider what type of college you want to be a part of. If you want a bigger campus with more students or a smaller based campus more focused on one on one classroom learning. Also take into consideration if you want to be more socially or academically involved in college as well. I think it's extremely important to determine what experiences you want to get out of college before choosing your college. Number two make sure you look at where you are living! In my opinion dorms are an extremely important experience your Freshman year and I think it's very important for you to look at your options as far as housing selections go. Where you live makes a huge difference on your overall experience. Number three is the most important, figure out what you want your major to be. It's tough to know at first, but as long as you at least have an idea of what you would want to do for a career, it will make selecting a college a smoother process.

Study every aspect of prospective schools, compare and question. Also be very involved on campus in activities and events, it will help in the process of meeting new people and getting acquainted with the campus.

I think that the most imporant thing in finding a suitable college for your child or for yourself is that the student feels at home. A lot of times people focus on prestige, but you will never succeed in an environment that is uncomfortable or where you feel like an outsider. Make sure that you feel welcome and comfortable. This is key to having a quality learning environment.

The advice I would give students about finding a right college is to first find a field of interest before applying for schools. There are excellent resources out there that can help students find their path if they are having difficulties. For instance, junior colleges offer workshops to help high school students choose a major or career. The internet is another great source to look up and find information about a field. Additionally, I would advise students to job shadow positions that are alluring to them so they can have a better understanding of what the position entails. Once a career has been decided, they should choose an institution emphasizing in that area of interest. The advice I would give students about making the most of their college experience is to encourage them to get involved in clubs and sports on campus. It's a great way to meet people and fill up time with healthy actitivities inbetween academics. Also, I would advise students to get to know their professors thoroughly. Having a great relationship with a professor helps a student be confident and stay focused on school.

I would say that the advice that you should pick the college that FEELS right, like my adviser told me, is not necessarily accurate. Pick the college you like AND that has a ton of options for you: you may have no clue as to what you want to do, and end up transferring, like me. The more options you have right away the more you can explore right away. And often a college will grow on you. You don't have to like it right away. Also, remember that a college degree isn't everything, and you may find way more connections and possibilities off-campus, so don't be afraid to explore the world OUTSIDE your chosen school!

Make sure they are active.

Go with what feels right to you versus what others expect. In the end, it's your decision and your life. Don't bother trying to please everyone else. Pick where you are going to be happy. In end, you'll still end up with a good education, but there's more to life than just school. Don't be afraid to be different and look elsewhere (outside of campus) for activities and people to be with. You'll find people who like you for you, with similar interests and values, if you look for them, so don't worry about trying to fit in or going with the crowd. Don't be afraid to look for other options, and learn how to problem solve right away. You're never going to get outside if you keep trying to go through the walls, so always look for a plan B for the things you really want. Have fun.

My advice to parents or perspective students about how to find the right college for you is to go on a tour of the campuses you're interested in and spend the whole day there to get a feel for the campus. Also I would go on the tour when school is in session so you can get a realistic feel for how it would be to go to school there. I would not only look at how many academic programs the college offers, but also where the college is located. It is important to feel at home when going to college so you need to pick one that is in a comfortable city so you will feel at ease. In other words, if you like big cities and love the night life, I would suggest you choose a university in a large city, and the same goes if you like small cities. One more piece of advice I would give is to pick a college that offers a lot of majors for you to choose from, because the average college student will change their major at least 5 times so you need to leave your options open.

There are so many factors to consider when choosing a college, and the process is different for everyone. The best advice I can give is to spend time on campuses of whatever colleges you're considering. Talk to students and faculty, and take campus tours. If you know what you want to study, find a school that has a good program in that field. Utilize social networking sites, such as FaceBook and MySpace, that allow you to get in touch with students. No one knows a school as well as the students who are currently attending, so ask questions and find out all the pros and cons. Time management is a big factor in having a successful college experience. A good balance between social and academic life is very important. You are in college to further your education, but no one says you can't enjoy the ride! Get out and participate, find activities that suit your old interests and inspire new ones. Also, be sure to extend your social circle. Don't just hang around with all your old high school buddies. Academically, it also helps to get to know your professors, even in a large classroom environment.

Picking a school is incredibly hard, because there is a difference between thinking that you know what you want to do and who you want to be and where you want to end up, and actually knowing it. Honestly, most thoughts that you have about that change when you get to college because there is so much out there that you probably didn't understand in high school. That being said, there are very few people who know exactly what they want to do with their lives. And that is okay, because that is what college is for. So, in picking a college, you should look for somewhere that has options for you. Size can be an issue because there is such a variety, but honestly even in a big school there is a place that you will be able to call a home. So look for somewhere, small or large, that will have the option to let you change your mind. Once you're there, put yourself into activities, volunteering, even playing an intramural sport. Take a variety of classes - even if you're premed, if you take all biology you are bound to burn out. Explore your options.

Find a good school that you can afford.

Find the place that will keep you happy and healthy. Choosing a school should not individually be based on education. Think about where you would want to learn your life lessons as well. If you are content in your environment, focusing on studies will come more easily. Discipline yourself to go to every class. It is not impossible; you will wish you had gone in the end. Remember to reward yourself as well, everyone needs unique personal incentive. College is an experience of self discovery that will lead to wisdom of who you are and how you will contribute to our world. The journey is challenging. Learning is not meant to be easy, but it is always worth it.

Make sure you are aware of the social, economic and community while being advised of academics

We hear the quote ?ask not what your fellow man can do for you but what you can do for your fellow man? all the time but we only selectively apply it to life. When parents and their kids are looking at schools to attend they are usually focused on what the school is offering them in terms of academic reputation, real-life experiences, financial aid, or diversity. These sorts of thoughts are examples of asking ?what your fellow man can do for you?. Instead look at college as a chance for you to do something for your fellow man. Don?t go into college wanting an opportunity to approach you. Go with the attitude that you are going to make a difference on this campus and leave a legacy for those after you. The most meaningful lessons I have learned in college do not come from the classroom but instead come from the times when I took the opportunity to make a difference and become a leader on campus. If you live your college experience with the attitude that you are going to make a positive impact then you will make the most of whatever school you attend.

The meaning behind finding the "right" college can be different for every student. An individual may generate lists containing certain aspects in which they need in a college, however, they may not have the same aspects and qualities within a school by the time they graduate. In order to find the perfect college, one must be able to allow for alterations within their composed lists of qualities of their desired institution. Take risks. Allow for some room to grow. Make sure to individualize yourself, and do not be afraid to step out of your boundaries.

Aside from choosing the right college based upon location or weather, I recommend that recent high school graduates take a year off and spend time volunteering, travelling and perhaps a little working in order to really understand who they are and where they are going in life. Afer discovering that I was not intended to study business as first thought, I discovered my love for foreign languages and exploring the world. Volunteering is an amazing opportunity to meet people with incredible wisdom to share and circumstances that will undoubtedly create a lasting effect upon one's life. After I found myself stuck in a large state school, I realized that it was too late to transfer to a small liberal arts college. I truly believe that all high school graduates about to start an exciting new chapter in their lives must dedicate a portion of theirs to understanding and helping others. It is the most valuable lesson to be learned and is not offered in any classroom.

Talk to some of the students that attend the college and ask them their opinion of the college. I also would tour the campus, check out the extracurricular activities and make sure there are clubs or activities that interest you. Spend a few days at the college to get a better feel of the city and atmosphere. College is difficult to adjust to at first but everything gets better.

BE HONEST with yourself! Do not try to pick a college for what you want to be or who your parents want you to be! Be true to yourself and be honest with what you want out of your college experience. Find a place you'll be comfortable in. This is where you'll really strive, because you won't be pulled in a million different directions to be somenting or do something your not. With that said, do reach a little bit higher than you think you can, you'll be pleasantly surprised with a little push and what a little challenge can do, and rising to the occassion will come much more easily than you think! I've heard time and time again "time management is key", "the difference between a good student and a great student is time management," and though I've fought it for so many years, but guess what...IT'S TRUE! Though I've said be honest with yourself that doesn't mean don't try new things, because that's what college is all about! So remember TIME MANAGMENT! Be honest and open with yourself! Push yourself! Try new things! HAVE FUN!

Searching for the right college can be a tough process, and when you start out, you may have this perfect vision of what your college should be like, or where the perfect college experience will take place. It doesn't always work out the way in your dreams, however, but that doesn't mean that you didn't end up in the right place for you. Once you get to the University you accept, get as involved in the community as possible, that way, you can get to know the community and all the people in it. Join the Greek system--it's totally worth it. And just be yourself--things always work out when you are.

I would strongly advise parents and students to keep their minds open. If there was one regret I had about the college application process, it would be that I didn't explore enough colleges. I know many are concerned about the cost. I was, but there are many colleges out there who offer stupendous financial aid packages. They might not be as well-known though. Attendance at the Ivies does not necessarily mean success. Employers like to see those with intelligence, but also those with personality. Get out there and visit colleges. Find an environment that *feels* right to you, an environment that you feel you can grow in. As cliche as it sounds, college is really the time to be exploring. So many of my friends have found hobbies or interests through joining university organizations. I mean, how do you know unless you try? From health to snowboarding to environmental protection, most colleges offer a variety of extracurriculars. Not only will they balance out your schedule (class gets old), they might light a spark and set you on track toward a career that you'll really feel passionate about.

get involved in school activities visit as often as you can with professors and t.a.s there is always financial aid if you need it

Find a college that has a strong success rate in the field you are trying to go for. If you do not know what you want to do yet, pick a large school that excels in many fields

Do what feels natural. Take campus tours and talk to attending students and see what they do for fun and how they feel about the campus. Just looking at a brochure or a website is not going to cut it. Once you have made your choice, live it up. I only have 1 more year left and college is just flying by. Join clubs, attend the plays, go the the sporting events and play intramural sports. I have found so many new life long friends while doing this. Enjoy college!!

To pick the right college I would make sure to visit the school first. There is a cerain feeling one gets when they are on different campuses. Also I would learn about the city and state the school is in. What activities and resources are available outside of school. I believe balance is key in every aspect of life and finding a blanace in college is crutial to having a successful time for two or four years. To make the most of your college expirence I would say to find a balance that fits you. Having an academic, financial, physical, mental and spiritual balance is key to loving the world and having it love you back. If a school can help you find that balance then persue your education, social and academic life there and I am sure you will be successful.

STUDY

If I were to give a prospective student advice about entering college I would suggest that they take the application process serious. Do your research, and pick a school that feels right to you, don't go somewhere just because your friends are. Be open to new experiences and get involved some way or another. Most importantly, take school seriously. It is extremely important to do well in school and to attend class regularly. In college, you learn the skills necessary to lead a successful life, if you're out partying every night you miss out on vulable lessons. Of course, have fun, but not until it's Friday night.

My advise to parents and students about finding and choosing the right college would be to really visit the campus, not only to get a feeling of the size, the administration and students, but just to see if it fits with you personally. Make sure that what the university offers is what you WANT out of your education, because it is YOUR education and you should demand nothing less than the best resources for your academic study. Remember that you are going to college, and not just out to party, so make sure that you choose your university based on academic structure and not party atmosphere (because if you party too much you won't be staying long anyway!) Choosing a college is all about making a responsible choice, and I really feel that students should be given the opportunity to choose their school (despite what mom and dad want!) because it is a part of growing up and understanding the significance of our choices. When the student is given the opportunity to choose their school and lifestyle they gain far more knowledge than just obtaining a college degree alone: they learn how to be their own person.

Go to a college that closely mirrors the high school you attended. Familiarity with your environment can help a lot academically and socially. Going from being a big fish in a small pond to a massive university was and is really tough for me, and I wish that it was much smaller in almost every way.

Be sure to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Don't expect your college to do all the work for you, though. You must reach out to local business and people in your desired field for interships and/or volunteer opportunities. Although you are there to learn and to better yourself with a college degree, it is also important to remember to have fun along the way and never to shut yoruself out from fun experiences and friends.

It's important to find a school that not only fits your academic needs, but one that offers an environment in which you can live happily and productively. This means something different for everybody. Choose a school that is beautiful, is located somewhere exciting to you, offers sufficient opportunity for recreation or is in a great spot to find educational jobs. If you're a drinker, you might not want to go someplace that will really encourage that, (like CU). If you love to ski, you need to be decently close to the moutains. Academics are obviously the first thing you look at when selecting a college, but it's also important to go to school in a place where you can make a full life for yourself. School alone jis not enough; If you live somewhere that makes you happy, chances are you'll feel a lot better about hitting the books when you really need to.

Don't automatically rule out a school before you have visited it and really given it a chance. Try and keep an open mind throughout the entire process. Get involved in your school when you get there!