University of Florida Top Questions

Contrary to popular belief, college is not about making the A grade or learning how to handle your liquor. It is a time set aside for the discovery and embrace of oneself. It is learning how to never forget where you came from while staying true to your childhood aspirations. College is never compromising your heart or settling for the easy way out. It is the decisions that you will make in college that will shape who you become in the future. It is truly an exhilarating experience to discover how one handles themselves without the crutches of ?legal guardians.? You must take advantage of this opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and hold back all fears. College is the age in which one must learn how to operate successfully; discover how to manage time wisely, finding the equilibrium between social life and school work. Most importantly you must learn how to coop with failure, by no means allow them to derail you but let them motivate you to push harder. Overall, chanting at the football games, maturing in the classroom and studying your brains out to achieve what seemed like an impossible dream is what defines college.

I think it is really important to choose a college that best fits your financial sitaution. Since most careers today want to see that you went to graduate school, i woluldnt necessarily pay out of state tuition for undergraduate education. It is also important to go to a place where you like the city the school is located in. Choosing a school is not just about the campus because a lot of the time the student spends over the course of 4 years will be out doing things in the city. Finally, find people who you relate well to and surround yourself with them. I personally wasted a lot of time in college being convinced that everyone around me wanted different things than I did. There are always people who you will have a good time with and make sure you find them.

In my experience, college life is what you make of it. If you choose not to have a good time, to not go out and meet new people and keep yourself from the community then at a school this size you can most definitely do that, and ultimately have a pretty bad time. However, college is a time to meet new people - and for me, I knew noone at the University of Florida when I first got here. There were about 40,000 new potential friends, and I quickly found about 10 that I have been friends with since my first couple weeks here. I came from a small private high school in a big city; almost the complete opposite from the University of Florida. Some thought I was crazy for coming here, I can now confirm that it would have been crazy NOT to come here!! The collegiate sports teams could not have possibly been better (every sport has multiple All-Americans, which makes it more exciting to watch). There is SO much to do here, but you have to embrace the small, college town feel. I am hoping to continue here for graduate school.

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Without a doubt, the college of choice for any individual must reflect who they want to be. Regardless of how big or small the school is, what the popular trends are on campus, and what the balance is between academics and extracurriculars is, you should try to look beyond these elements and instead try to envision how they will affect you. Perhaps it's logical to say that no one will find a college that is the "perfect fit." There will always be something that doesn't meet an individual's full satisfaction about his or her ideal college. There will always be those idiosyncratic "pet peeves." Frustration regarding some of these things comes upon everyone in one form or another. But that's the way of life. Inconsistencies in one individual's perfect world could be the jewels in another individual's perfect world. Be welcoming to the new stage of life that is about to befall you, and that stage of life will welcome you with open arms. Be flexible, and not gullible. Be enthusiastic, but not obsessed. Savor the moment of a successful transition to college--a sure sign of a triumphant entry into today's world.

Do lots and lots of research on every school that you have in mind. Think about the price of living on or off campus and which one would be more enjoyable and rewarding. Think about if you want to share a room or if you want to live in a single room. Think about the smallest, simplest things because that could make a big difference between having THE BEST college experience and hating your college experience

Visit and talk to other students, not the ones giving the tour guides. If you can sit in on a class do so. Just see if you feel comfortable.

For the longest time I felt like I had to attend an out of state college, but when I visited them, nothing felt right. My best advice would be to visit all of your choices and pick the one where you feel like you're a part of the campus already. Usually your gut feeling will not betray you. It is imporant to pick a school where you feel as though you already belong because once you get to college you want to be involved. Most colleges offer several options for involvement, each one being unique to those who participate. Getting involved will help you make friends with the same interests, friends who will encourage you to do your best in life and in school. Do not pick a school simply because of their promised educational value--your education is what you make it. The key to the right college experience is being truly happy, and if you achieve that than you can concentrate more on what you want in life and use your collegiate resources to achieve it.

Definitely work hard, it's not as easy as high school. But definitely have fun and try and experience everything.

You should visit the campus and ask students about the school. It is a lot different being a student on campus than reading about it or knowing the facts. Academics are important, but don't forget about other aspects of college life. Look at the dorms, dining halls, libraries, computer labs, student union, places to eat, etc. Check out the city that the college is in. Most students don't stay on campus all the day. Go around the town and see what is available for students to do in that town. Studying should come first when your in college, but when you close your books how are you going to spend your time.

I think visiting the campus is an important way to get a feel of what it is like there. Also, there are so many choices that there is no need to settle on a school unless you absolutely love it. As for the college experience, stay in a "meeting new people/trying new things" mode. Generally we all start like this as freshman but some people get out of this and start only spending time with their few friends that they have already made. Always be open to trying new things. Put yourself out of your comfort zone!! Only then will you be able to learn who you really are, and this is what college is about, self-discovery. Have fun!

The most important aspect of choosing a college is making sure it is tailored to your specific needs and desires. Consider what it is you want in a college, and proceed from there. Important areas to consider include what field you are considering entering, and whether a given college is strong in that field. However, while academics is certaintly an important factor, in order to do well it is often necessary to be happy at your college. Look into the types of extracurricular activities and student life to determine if you would fit in and truly enjoy your experience. Speak with students who already attend a college you're looking into. Finally, location is important for many people. To maximize your college experience, simply pursue your interests. You have the freedom to take classes that interest you, and the opportunity to meet new friends and try new things. All you have to do is keep an open mind and put forth the effort to get involved in whatever capacity you decide. But it does require effort: you won't make the most of your experience by sitting around and waiting for things to happen. Ultimately, it's up to you.

I have just four words for students beginning their college experience: Spend your money wisely. I would advise parents to plan and prepare for their children's collegiate futures, rather than leave all college expenses up to their clueless freshman college student. Parents should understand and explain financial aid and students loans to their recent high school grads; they need to understand that after college graduation, it's time to pay those loans back. Future college students, I plead and beg you to reconsider your spending habits. Just say "no" to that $2,000 moped scooter, say "no" to the big screen TV, say "no" to the lavish spring break trips each year. If college students were taught better monetary habits, perhaps many would graduate with little to no debt and would have a bright future in this awful economy. Those of us who weren't educated are instead left buried in debt, struggling to survive while paying back those loans. I hope more adults can plan accordingly and ensure a positive finiancial future for their children through adequate preparation for college and by teaching their children to budget.

Make the choice on your own and don't be influenced by others.

I would tell parents that the money they spend on their children during their time in college is an investment. College is worth every penny and provides individuals with an incomparable experience of maturity. This allows students to have the ability to make important decisions on their own, which helps them find themselves as individuals and find what it is they really want to achieve in the real world. Also, in reference to the real-world, college provides a great stepping stone from five day school weeks, to forty hour work weeks in the job force. This in turn, allows students to make mistakes they would make as employees because they can learn from these mistakes without as severe of repercussions. As for the students I would tell them to ease their worries about homesickness or separation from close friends. College opens you up to a whole new network of a variety of diversified groups and you are bound to fit into at least one of them, and most likely bunches of them. It will be the best time of your life and will open your mind academically as well as intellectually. Good luck with the self-conquest!

Plan ahead for what you want to do after college, but don't forget to pick a place that you'll enjoy for four of the best years of your life!

Students and parents should do as much research as possible about the schools they are considering. A campus visit should be scheduled to get an idea of the size and atmosphere on campus. Do your best to get in touch with current students at the school to ask about their classes, extra curricular activities, and what they do in their free time. Once you decide on a college, get involved in activities as quickly as possible. Get a part-time job, attend different club meetings on campus and/or start volunteering in the community. The first year of college can be a lonely, scary time and getting involved is the best way to meet good people with common interests. These activities can also help you in deciding on a major, if you are still unsure what you want to do. Pick your classes carefully, taking into consideration what time of day you learn best and in what setting you learn best. The transition into college can be rocky at times, but it is also an amazing time in life. It is a time for growth, change, and experience. Make the best of it!

Your college experience is unique and helps mold the person you become. Coming from a Senior who has tested the trials and errors made through college, The BEST advice I could ever give anyone is to get involved on campus. My freshman year at the University of Florida was not very memorable because I my routine consisted of going to class and heading back to my apartment. I felt no connection with my school or even my peers. My classes were so big I did not get the chance to really meet anyone. After stepping out of my comfort zone, I found an organization and like fate, it fit perfectly into my life. I became a sister of my sorority and opened so many doors to involvement on campus. By getting involved, I was motivated to participant in campus events, like Dance Marathon, and become the leader who I am today. I helped plan many events to raise awareness for philanthropies, and generate revenue for organizations. This involvement ran cohesively with my major, Event Management in Hospitality. By taking that one step to get involved, I changed my life and molded my future for the better. Go Gators!

Try to find a school that fits your needs. Some people excel at small schools, other at large schools. Go with your gut so you do not regret your decision. Excellent academics is always important, but in the end its what you make of your education that really matters. Financial aide should be considered, but remember there are always student loans that can be paid off after graduation. College should be a fun, exciting time. Find a college that brings out the best in you!

Students who are trying to find the right college to attend, should take into consideration different factors and situations that will impact their future when they graduate. It is very important to consider financial aspects, as well as location and size of the college. Big Universities are not for everyone, and while a strong academic level is very important, social life plays an important role in the life of college students, and in many cases, means the difference between failure and success.

The university experience is an important and significant time in any person's life, and it is important not only to embrace the university experience on an intellectual and educational level, but also on an emotional and personal level. The college you choose will shape who you will become as a person; don't just choose the university with the best athletic programs or even the most prestigious academic programs. Choose the college that feels like home. Choose the college that you'll want to visit year after year even after you've graduated. Choose the college where you'll want to take your children to visit when they're selecting a college after high school. Choose the college where the students smile at you, the professors listen to you, and the campus speaks to you. Relish the college experience and delight in the years that will shape you as a person and groom you as an adult, and revel in the best years of your life, when you have a world of information at your fingertips, and a college full of fellow human beings within an arms reach.

When finding the right college, the students and parents must not only examine the academic side of the school, but also the surrounding town, the campus and the dorms/apartments nearby. In order to truly be successful in your college experience, you have to be comfortable in the environment. The student needs to have places to relax, as well as study. When finding the right college, ensure that there are many activities for the student to join and meet new people. Although a decision should not be completely made because a certain coffee shop is near this college, but not that one. It should be made after looking at the big picture. The college should be a place that the student can live in for four years.

Choose a campus witht he most wide-ranging activities availble. You are young and probably don't know what you want/need yet. So keeping the options open is brilliant. Being out-going and optimistic helps in all situations. Don't stress out or worry about the present, the future is what you make of it. This is a fun time of your life, enjoy it.

shoot for the stars and never hesitate, this is your choice your time your life so don't let anyone including yourself hold you back

Know yourself. Know if you want a small environment or if you are self driven and can handle a large school. Know what you can afford and handle. Know that you are making a decision based on what's best for YOU not your girlfriend/boyfriend/best friend. You can find your niche anywhere if you try.

make sure it's the best fit for you. make sure you can focus. keep goal oriented. try to do it without having to get a job. it's the best way to focus. get help when you need it. always talk to someone. and always have your problems on record. it will help you in the future.

Study, Study, Study.

Know what you're looking for. If you want to live in a big city, don't apply to a university located in a small town. Look at the programs available so you can get an idea of what you might like to major in. Map out your course of study and you'll have a head start

I think that one of the main barriers to finding the best college is a lack of communication. Pamphlets, information packets, and even campus tours are not nearly enough information to base such an important decision off of. Send e-mails to professors in the fields you are interested in. Arrange meetings with professors while you are on campus for tours. Don't be afraid. If it is a good college, the faculty will be committed to demonstrating the quality of education at the school. Find out how the programs at that school will help you accomplish your goals. Are you planning to enter the work force immediately after you earn your bachelor's, or would it make more sense for you to pursue a graduate degree first? How will the school prepare you for those choices and pursuing those options? To make the most of your college career, go beyond course work. If you are interested in business, start looking at internships as soon as possible. If you are interested in research or medicine, join a lab as an undergraduate assistant or shadow a doctor. Participate in student groups and clubs that interest you. Explore the city.

I would suggest the future students choose a school to better themselves. No one should attend a particular University just because their best friend is going there. I would also suggest that if the student is going to a school where they do not know a bunch of people, to join a sorority of fraternity. I would also like to say that if the student thinks they are going to completeIy depend on loans, think again. I suggest the student a part-time job, nothing serious. I would suggest that the parents let their kids live the college experience. I would also like to tell the parents that if you have money and you are not going to help out your kid because you want it to be a learning experience for them, re-think. College is supposed to be fun, not stressful because of money situations.

take everything in. try things but at the same time focus on your studies. things that may seem unimportant are going to be important and real in the future. Balance is the key.

In order for a student and/or parents to find the right college, the student needs to assess his or her priorities, perhaps with the aid of the parent or guardian. Does the student want a large college or small? Where does the student want to live? What subject matter does the student really want to explore and which school is most accredited for that subject or career? Do not wait until the last minute to apply and visit the campuses that are the most interesting prior to applying. Once the student is at the college, I would give them the advice to really get involved with the college! It is also important to explore options for the future and try to determine what the student really loves doing versus what the parents or friends would want the student to do. This is the student's time, and the student should do things and choose paths that will make the student happy and prosperous for most of the student's life. Finally, and most importantly, the student should think about what he or she can do for the world at present and in the future.

Find the place that has the program you want, then the activities that interest you most. Consider the location of the school and what the surrounding communities offer.

I would definitely say that visiting the school and talking to other students who attend it is one of the most helpful things in chosing a college. When you visit the school you can usually get a feel for whether the enviorment is a good feel for you. Also talking with current students at the school gives you and idea of more specific things in the area and at the school that may be of interest to you. In order to make the most of the college experience I would suggest meeting as many people as you can and going to as many different places as you can so you dont miss out on anything because each city has a lot of variety of what they can offer. It is important however especially if you plan on further continuing your education that ou manage your time and your work and social life.

College is a very important time in any person's life and the selection of one should not be taken lightly. I had one choice in mind for the college for me and I did not even apply anywhere else because I had a gut instinct about it. My advice would be to visit as many schools as possible and judge how friendly and helpful the people around campus are. Also, I would advise them to do research online about class sizes, resident halls, financial aid, and other pertinient information. Whatever a student is into, whether it be sports, art or politics, I would strongly suggest that they take that into consideration when choosing a college. In addition, location may be very important to some students who get home sick easily so that may be a large factor in one's decision. However, most colleges are diverse and offer a good education and most people are content with where they end up.

Choose to go where you feel the most at home

First, go to the campus and walk around without an orientation leader. Talk to students and ask them how they like their school. Walk around buildings and peak inside classrooms--even sit in an empty one and get a feel for it. Test out the atmosphere and go by your instinct. Ask for a list of the organizations and get in contact with them. Ask how many members are in them, how often they meet, and what kinds of activities they are involved in. Always talk to advisement and get feel for the friendliness factor in them. If you are a transfer student, find out if there will be any registration obstacles you will need to overcome everytime you register for classes each semester. Try to look into the professor to student ratio and make sure that is something you are comfortable with. If it is a huge ratio, find out if professors are generally available to students and how often. Get involved as much as possible! Engaging yourself in extracurriculars will truly make you the strongest and happiest student you can be.

The best advice is to thoroughly research all of your options. If you don't know everything that's out there, then it will be harder to find a school that fits your personality. Pick the school you feel most comfortable with, not the school with the most prestige. Pick a school that has a lot of undergraduate options and extracurricular activities, ones that you haven't tried before or maybe have never heard of. You never know what sort of things you might love once you try them. I came into college ready to keep doing the things I did in high school - student senate, golf, and church groups. The only thing I've continued is church, but I started swing dancing, playing ultimate frisbee, and petitioning for gay rights - all in the last year! Don't limit yourself. If you want to work hard in school, you can do whatever you want to with your life. Don't rely on other people's experiences with a place or activity to tell you if it's right for you. Take advantage of school activities: free opportunities are everywhere! You never know when you'll find something you love.

Choose a college that isn't too far away from home and that is reasonably priced. Why pay so much more for an education when you can usually get the same degree at a college within your home state. Look for scholarships. There are plenty out there and they can really help out, especially in that last year or two. Enjoy your college career because after this, it's the real world for a long time. But don't over do the partying or social life. Remember what you are here for and that you are affecting your entire future by the decisions you make now.

Make sure you research the school to find if the size is right for you. Make sure you visit and like the surrounding ares. Check up on Housing prices and look up your professors and their research. No matter how great the school, whether Ivy League or state, if you do not klike the people or the city or the size of the student body you will not get the most out of your education. Do what feels right to you. Don't spend all your money on a B.A. More competitive schools matter more for your masters and Ph.D.

The best college is where you can grow to become the person you're ment to be, a place to find your self and your furture path. That place needs diversity, not only in the knowlegde the shcool provides , but in the people working their and in the students. Furthermore, you need a place that is a great study enviroment, incourages healthy eating, and has facilities/ activities to expand who you are. College is suppose to be a turning point in your life where you're not your mothers little boy or girl anymore, but a person in your own right. Also, you need to make the most of your college life! Learn a new skill, from enginering to scubba diving. College is suppose to be hard, but with a dash of fun in it as well. Here is the chance to learn things you could never have amagined, be put through amazing challenges, and create a expnasion of the world you call 'self'. Its an exciting adventure, but you need to go out and find those adventures. College is all about the expeience, if you only study, you may end up understanding knowlege, but nothing about life.

Leaving home for the first time is a very difficult transition; it is only made harder by attending a major university that will be more challangeing then many students are used to. First I recommend to all my friends that attending a Community college first is a great idea. It saves a lot of money and stress. Attending a smaller community college first also makes the transition from high school to college smoother. Secondly, the parrents and students need to look at the economy of the community they student will be living in. Will is be possible to find a job, will they be able to find and afford housing for all 4 years of college? Third I would say to join clubs on campus to help meet new people, but avoid rushing for a fraternity or sority your freshman year. These Greek associates are very time consuming and many students learn too late that it hurts their GPAs. If you want to find that family bond and tradition rush your sophmore year instead. Finally most students think they will have nothing but fun their first time out of the house so they should prepare themselves for a roller coaster.

It's important to realize that college is a lifestyle not a class. One should experience the life of a prospective college before choosing that college. Had I been accepted to my first choice of academic institutions I would have missed a much richer and fullfilling extracurricular experience. The relevance of a school's academic standing is also variable to a student's career goals. As a student who plans to attend grad school, I have learned to place less emphasis on the academic standing of my undergraduate university because my undergraduate degree will be trumped by a masters degree or PhD. I also suggest that the social atmosphere is an important factor in choosing a college. Perhaps socializing in itself is not significant, but social networks lead to career networks and support groups. Hence, a positive social atmosphere may lead to better grades, learning experiences, and career situations in the future. Finally, I will point out what parents try to hide - college is not just about work. College provides the best chance of your life to experience new people and activities - don't neglect extracurricular experiences. Sports, parties, and campus life can be just as important as academics.

work hard, but dont forget to have fun too.

I would recommend visiting the college and staying with a fellow student. That way the prospective student can see what it is really like to attend that specific school. I would pay attention to the GPA and SAT average so that you can find a school that is academically focused. I thought that the University of Florida would be to big of a school for me, but it actually allowed me to find niche groups of people. You are not just a number at a large school. You do have to make an effort to get involved, but it pays off! I have also realized that weather is also an important factor. I love the warm weather and would have been miserable at a school with cold or rainy weather. I did not consider this when deciding because I thought that I could adapt, but I am not sure if I would have adapted very easily. Truly, what is most important in the college experience is getting involved with a variety of organizations and groups on campus. This will result in feeling at home and also expanding your horizons.

When you go to college don't worry too much about what you want to accomplish with your life, you'll figure that out as time moves on. Instead, focus on your studies, learn all that you can, and absorb everything around you. Success is simple if you follow a few simple rules: never skip class for any reason, go to every football game you can, and make friends from your favorite classes, you'll take each other far. Finally, enjoy this time, it's an amazing opportunity that can carry you as far as you allow it!

When it comes time to look for a college you should always have a dream school. However make sure you have other schools in mind. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Make sure the school is right for you by taking a college visit and see how much you like the campus. Ask as many questions as you can before you decide. Keep your parents in the loop as well. If you want to go to school outside of your home state make sure they offer lots of financial aid. If not your parents may have to come out of pocket and they need to be willing to pay for the many expenses that come with being a college student. Being able to afford the school of your dreams is key. With all of the serious things aside make sure you enjoy college. Even though academics are important, that's not what college is all about. You come to college to grow, make lasting friendships and prepare yourself for life. You're only in college once so make it count.

Getting involved as much as possible is a great way to make a big campus seem a lot smaller. It's important to find smaller organizations and interest groups that you can become passionate about. This doesn't necessarily have to be something career-oriented; doing something just for fun is a great way to learn with a well-rounded approach. Time management is also absolutely critical. There is a way to have fun and work hard at the same time, but it takes a great deal of organization.

Listen to your kids

The most important thing is to go on c ampus tours. I made a list of the colleges that I was interested in based on their financial availability to me and their academic ranking. Once I finished the tour at the University of Florida I knew that it was my first choice and I applied for early decision that summer before my senior year. The fall semester of my Freshman year I decided to go through sorority recruitment and that's the best thing I could have done. With a campus this big it can be hard to find a niche. The panhellenic community helped me find a place where I felt comfortable and I found so many friends very quickly. Having this home base made it easier for me to reach out to other campus organizations and become involved more quickly than I would have if I didn't join a sorority.