University of Florida Top Questions

To get the most out of your college years you really only have to do one thing and that is to realize that life doesn't wait for you to graduate from college to begin. Growing up, attending elementary school, middle school and high school, most students don't really stop and think about what it is that they are doing. After all, you're living at home and education to this level is compulsory. But you shouldn't let any more years go back in the same thoughtless repetition. Our lives have already begun; you're living yours each and every day, so even when you have two tests and paper due you should try not to loose that perspective. A poor grade on a test isn?t the end of the world. Find something that you really love doing, find people that you enjoying spending time with, and learn everything that you can while you?re in school. When else will you have the opportunity to learn directly from experts in your field? Appreciate each and every day because they only come around once.

Be prepared, financially, and emotionally

Make sure that you visit the campus before applying there so you can see the surrounding area. Talk to students who go there to see how they like it. Apply to other colleges in case you don't get into your first choice

I believe the most important things about choosing the right college for any student is making sure that the college or university has great academics, fun social opportunities, and most importantly a safe campus. Any school with good academics and high competition will make a student work harder and be prepared for the real world. Working hard at getting good grades is an essential part of college and it will pay off in the end when you get that well earned high paying job. However, its not all about getting good grades. Students should be involved in what interests them the most making them a well rounded person. Getting involved and having many friends can help those students network and foster those long lasting relationships. Lastly, having a safe campus is very attractive to many parents and students. Parents want their college bound kids to feel at home, and students want their worried parents to trust them and the university. As a result, college should be one of the best experiences of your life and it is up to the student to choose where he or she will make the most memories.

First off, students, you should go where YOU want to go, not where your parents want you to go. One of the most important parts of deciding which college is best for you is making the decision yourself. To find the right college, you need to sort out which attributes most appeal to you. I chose having division-1 sports, a large open campus, lots of students, lots of extracurricular activites to get involved with, a large alumni population, and a good academic reputation. To make the most out of your college experience, its important to get involved on campus. Whether that be joining a fraternity or sorority, joining a club, or even starting a new one, its crucial to make friends. Some of the people you meet and spend time getting to know could end up being the groomsmen or bridesmaides in your wedding. These people will also be your support system in college, your parents are no longer there to hold your hold hand. I advise all students to try their very hardest when they start college in the fall, because as they semester goes on, you'll find more distractions as you discover your school.

Finding the right college is difficult which you need to visit that area before you move. Even if you like it at first, you might not like it later on so pick your choice wisely. The type of college depends on your personality. You should live your life to the fullest and enjoy your experiences in college while you can but don't let that get in the way of your responsibilities.

The University of Florida is a great choice for both students and parents. The campus is safe at all hours and the academic work really prepares you for the challenges to come in your field of research. We are one of the top in the Country for a reason!

The advice that I would give to students about finding the right college is to first and foremost, make an educated decision. Choosing a college is no small event, it dictates the direction of four years of your life and everyone that goes through the process comes out a changed person in the end. it's very important to choose the right college that will enhance this journey of self-exploration, one that offers many resources and extra-curricular activities, so that you can get the most out of the college experience by being exposed to as many events and people as possible.

Find a school that offers the program that you want and that has good support for that program. It can be very frustrating to major in something that the school doesn't see as a priority since funding and staffing are likely to be less than adequate. Most importantly, however, make sure that you have a good support system behind you. Friends and family who believe in what you are doing and are there to encourage you can make a world of difference. If you will attend school in a place that is far from home find a positive group to be involved with (clubs, sports teams, volunteer groups, a church, etc.). The friends that you can make among a group of like minded individuals can be invaluable to your mental and emotional well-being as you navigate through the challenging and sometimes frustrating college experience.

If there is one thing I wish someone had shown me before going to college it would be the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test. I originally went to school for digital arts but didn't like the classes or the program. I switched to public relations and now have applied to law school. The MBTI test helped me see what interests I had - not just what I thought I was good at. Had I known my interests earlier on, I could have made a better decision about what major I had wanted to go into and what classes I should have taken. I would also suggest to parents to investigate the college's department for whatever major their child chooses. A great school may not have the best college for the major they want to go into. It is important to look at the facilities for the major and not just the school as a whole. Getting informed about oneself is the cornerstone to making a great career decision while in college, and knowing which college can cater to that interest will help both the student and the parent make the right choice.

You need to look for a college that has a great program for the career you want to major in. You need to find out how many resources is available on campus, like academic advising, tutoring and computer help. You should also look at the different organizations the school offers that you might be interested in, so you can put in on your resume later. Lastly, you should find out what is around the school that is easy access for the student to get, like a grocery store, department store, and a Wal-Mart.

Visit the colleges that you apply to. Get involved and have the time of your life. Do not party to much; you have to find a balance between your social life and your studies. Take AP classes in high school if you have the opportunity.

First of all, you have to take the time to visit multiple campuses to determine which "feels" right to you. It's not the best idea to just arbitrarily pick a school because your friends are going there, they have a good football team, etc. While visiting these potential campuses, keep an eye out for the diversity of the student population, any promotions for student organizations and/or on-campus events, and the areas in the city outside of the school; you probably won't want to attend a school that is located by a bad part of town or is full of elderly people. Once you've been accepted to the school that fits your needs/wants, GET INVOLVED! Don't be afraid to speak up in class, join a study group, get to know the people in your dorm hall, or go crazy with school spirit at sporting events. Don't hesitate to go out of your normal comfort zone, within reason. Anything that you can do to make friends will tremendously enhance your college experience. Afterall, that's what college is all about (besides preparing for your future), right?

When choosing a college, first, sit down and think about what type of person you (the student) are. Are you outgoing and self-motivated or do you prefer a much closer circle of people and need people to help push you to be involved, join clubs, and concentrate on your schoolwork. In all honesty, I think that making sure the college atmosphere itself is most suited for the person is the most important aspect of making the most of the college experience. Try to go to the school in person during the school year. Even if you do not go to the highest ranked school in the area or the one with the most research opportunities, you can still be very involved in the ones that exist and be much happier and more productive at the school that best fits you. That being said, make sure that you look at the opportunities available and the majors available at each school and make sure the school has the resources that you want to use- there's no use finding the perfect atmosphere for you if the only major is Astronomy and you want to pursue a Political Science degree.

Stay true to yourself. Pick the college you want to go to based on your learning style. If you don't do well in large classes, don't pick a school with primarily large classes.

Attend all sporting events and get involved!! oh, and apply to college EARLY.

College is about two things: the present and the future. You have to balance the opportunities at colleges that are right for you both as a student and as a future alumnus. Make a list of what's important to you now (campus life, activities, sports, etc. ) and what's important to you for the future (course offerings, research and internship opportunities, job placement, etc.). Which college will give you the best experience both as a student and later as a graduate? If you don't enjoy your time as a student, you will not grow as a person ready to take the world as an independent, happy individual. If you don't take away positive results from your college as a graduate, you won't have the skills and opportunities to take on the world as a prepared, driven professional. Don't let anyone tell you that college is only a means to an end. A negative college experience can hurt you as much as a positive one can help and inspire you. On the flip side, don't waste college years based solely on taking the easiest or most enjoyable path. Balance, and enjoy!

REALLY research the school. Spend several weekends in the town to get to know both the school and the surrounding community and make sure that it "fits" you. Weigh the education you want with the ability to relax (ie: in nature, sports, etc). Don't stress over a single exam, but rather learn from your mistakes (they will happen in college) and find the lesson in the mistake. And then next time a similar situation occurs, try to react differently... and then reevaluate how you handled yourself.

It is very important to tour the campus you are considering, and to get tons of opinions of current students in all levels of study at the school. Also I think you need to try and find some event not related to recruiting to attend on campus, just to figure out a little more about what this school is actually about.

Visit as many campuses as possible

I?m a first generation college student at the University of Florida. I am majoring in Psychology and I plan to attend law school after graduation. Academics definitely come first for me but I am also involved with extracurricular activities and community service. In high school, I was involved in Student Government Association, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society, Project Katrina Service Club, and First Priority Christian Club. At UF, I am involved in the Student Alumni Association, Black Student Union, and PAACT (Pledging to Achieve Academic Excellence Together). I?m always interested in broadening my horizons and learning new things. I decided to major in Psychology upon interest stemming from high school on the subject. I?ve wanted to be a lawyer for most of my life and that definitely factored in my decision to apply to the University of Florida. I feel that I made the right decision in coming to UF. It?s very important to go to the school that fits you best. UF fits me best because of its strong emphasis on academics and its amazing school spirit !

Go with your gut instinct - if a place doesn't feel right to you, you shouldn't let anyone else talk you into thinking it is a good match. On the same note, though, for most people their undergraduate institution isn't everything. A good number of universities can give you a memorable college experience, solid education, and preparation for graduate level study without breaking the bank. Even if you enter into your college years absolutely KNOWING that you are going to medical school to become a doctor, that may change, so make sure that the institution you choose has other options for you as well. If you attend an all-engineering school and later decide engineering is not for you, you are going to be stuck. Study hard, but also be open to new experiences and having fun. This is the time to figure out who you are and what you are going to do with your life. You can't go back and do it all again. Well, at least until graduate school...

The advice I would give to students about finding what college they want to attend is to make the decision for themselves as to where you want to go. Parents tend to influence their children to attend either the colleges of their choice or their alumni, which is acceptable, but sometimes it may not be what the student needs or wants. In order to perform at your best, not only at college but at other life experiences as well, one has to be happy with what they are doing and what type of environment they are in. If a student is not happy with the college that they are attending, they are most likely not going to be the best student that they can be because of lack of motivation and desire to do so, which can be very detrimental. On the other hand, once a student is happy with their college, I recommend they experience college with an upmost positive attitude. With an optimistic view, the student can participate in extracurricular activities, such as volunteering and also put forth the same attitude towards their academics all while balancing both without overworking or burning themselves out.

Find a school that feels right, that fits- the one where you feel at home andget excited about going to. College is an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, get to know yourself, and become who you will be... to find out what you love, what you don't, to make mistakes, and try new things. The right college is the one where you can do this. Getting an education and preparing for a career are important- find a school that can help with this. Remember that many people have no idea what direction to head, and most will change their minds (I did). It's important to find a school that can both accomodate and help with this. However, a school prepares you not only for a job, but for the rest of your life. Individual schools, and the experience you have, are defined by the people and the opportunities. What are the people like? You'll make friends for life- they may be different from anyone you've known- and you'll learn a lot from them. Find a school with opportunities, and do new things- intramurals, hiking, travel, art classes, foreign language, volunteering, or anything you find.

Make sure to visit the schools you are looking to attend and spend some time in the city surrounding the campus. You MUST do everything possible during your four years at college; it goes so fast so you definitely have to get active with your school as soon as possible!! You only get to go to college once!!

Pick the college that is right for you. Apply to as many colleges you can including a wide variety of schools. The University of Florida was the only college that I applied to, thinking that was all that would accept me. I sold my abilities short, and I regret that. Luckily, the University of Florida provided an amazing college experience, especially with the school spirit surrounding the Gators' National Championship wins during my four years there. Research the colleges as much as you can to ensure you make an educated decision.

Your college experience is one of the most important of your life. It will affect who you are and what you will become. It will expand your mind as far as you will let it. You should choose an institution that will foster your growth and developement. There are many different universities and they all have different strengths and weaknesses. It is wise to research schools that have reputable programs in fields of study that you are interested in. You should also find out about student organizations and athletic programs. Once you have found a suitable place to teach you the ways of the ways of the world, you journey may begin. It is important to keep an open mind and absorb as much new knowledge and information as possible. Many students' first year will be an eye-opening experience. You should take advantage of all that the college has to offer and make the most out of your college experience.

My advice to students would be to follow your heart. I applied and was accepted at the university my brother attends, but that's not were I really wanted to go. I was overjoyed at being accepted to my first choice, University of Florida. Take tours of several schools before making your decision. Choose one that fits your personality. I am in the nursing program and hope to be accepted to Nursing School next fall. I know with the education I receive here, I will find a rewarding career. Stay focused on your studies - it's easy to get off track. Remember that you're in school to learn and everything else will fall into place. I lived off campus my first year and that may have been a mistake. It's important to make friends your first year and know that others are feeling overwhelmed also. It's an awesome experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Narrow down choices by knowing what size of school you want. Larger schools often offer more opportunites, while smaller schools can be more focused in a particular area of interest. Once you've choosen the school, get involved. Try new things, but don't overcommitt and become overwhelmeds.

Identify what your needs and desires are (size of the school, acclaimed academic departments, available social/extracurricular activities, etc.) and use these to decide what college best suits your outlook on life. Don't be afraid to change your mind once you get to college - whether it's changing roommates, courses, majors, or even the school itself. Make sure to find the right balance between schoolwork and socializing - both are very important, but too much of one or the other can be a negative impact on how you'll view your time in college later on. Don't be afraid to try new things and take opportunities that you may not ever get again; be prepared to fail in some instances but strive for success. And, if you need help in any way, be it academically, physically, mentally, spiritually, or otherwise, do not be afraid to ask for it. There are people whose job it is to assist you when you need it, all you need to do is ask and people will be glad to offer a helping hand. College is what you make of it - so make it something you can be proud of.

Keep your options open - figure out what kind of things you like to do or want to be doing, but don't settle on anything and write it into stone. So many students change their minds - and their majors - during their college career - usually more than once. Don't be afraid of that as a student - and parents, please don't assume that it's a bad thing for your student to change their mind! Too many students can feel trapped into pursuing something that's not right for them just because they - or their parents - initially chose one path. College shows you just how many different paths there are to choose from and sometimes it can take a while to sort through the good and the bad. And as much as college is about getting the grades, it's also about life experience. Have fun. Learn about other people. Do things outside of your major. Do things outside of your comfort zone! If you don't figure out what the world is like when you're in college, you'll have a harder time trying to figure it out after four years have gone by. Do what you want!

When choosing a university, I believe that the best thing to think about is the college experience that you will get out of attending school there. College is one of the last chances you have to simply be a kid, while learning the responsibilities and skills that you will need later in life. I recommend attending college away from home, as hard as it may be for some families to deal with. If you don't get that full college experience of living on your own, meeting friends, and starting fresh in a new environment, you will be asking yourself "what if?" for the rest of your life. College is what you make of it, and the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Choose a university that will get you involved socially and with different organizations as well. Weigh the benefits and negatives of attending a large university over a smaller, private university. This is your only chance to be a college student, and you have to choose the university that will provide you the best four years of your life.

Make sure you go visit the school when classes are in session so you can get the feel of the campus. Make sure you know if you want a big school and all the things that come with it : good football and large classes.

In all honesty, if a school is your dream school, find a way to go there. Money will be found if you really try for what you desire. There are scholarships, loans, or just good old fashioned hard work. If you want something, don't settle, get what you really want, it will make the experience so much better. When it comes time to visit colleges, take a tour, stay there for a day or two, observe and see if you like the environment. Make sure that wherever you want to go is a place that you feel comfortable being, especially if its away from home.

There are many factors that go into picking the best college for both the student and the parent. It depends on the personalities and financial situations of the family members. If the student is a very independent soul I would definately suggest in going out of state if so desired. I personally was deterred from going out of state due to financial restrictions. If money were not an issue I would love the experience of going farther away. Students should also look for the programs that a college offers and the reputation of those programs. Even if the student doesn't know what they want to do in life they might want to pick a school in which there are alot of highly esteemed programs available so they have alot of choices for their future. Though some parents might not want thier kids to decide a school on the social aspect I definatly think that it should factor into the decision making process. Do they want to join certain clubs, or do they want to live in a city with lots to do or a small town? Ultimately it should be up to the student to make the best decision.

I would tell students to choose a school where they can have the most fun. Learning is learning wherever you go, but the things you will remember are the people and the parties, not the formulas from class. 4 years is a long time to be lonely and bored. Also, pick a major that will be fun for you, as well as one with a high job potential. If you don't like doing it for 4 years, you will HATE doing it for the rest of your life!

Parents need to think about what is best for the development of their child. They need to put aside their thoughts of wanting to keep the child close by and focus on the right institution for them. In order to make most of the college experience, you need to be open-minded and disciplined at the same time. It is very important to create a schedule for yourself so you have a healthy balance of study time and play time.

There is no right formula to "finding the right college"; it's really just a gut feeling. I made my decision purely on a financial basis; UF and Florida were the cheapest college, so I decided to come here. In retrospect, it wasn't the best decision and if I had to do it again I would've gone with my gut feeling and went with my first choice college in Philadelphia. Still, I definitely enjoy nearly every aspect of college life here at UF. Even if you end up deciding that the college you picked wasn't the best for you, you can still have a great college experience. Being a fan of football, it was easy for me to fall in love with UF football and the Gator football team. Every college always has something that interests you; getting involved helped me adjust and become happier as time went on. Despite UF not being my first choice school, I've still come to love it.

In selecting the right college and making the most of your experience, choose an institution that will dedicate back to you all that you will dedicate to it. Like anything in life, attending a univeristy is a basis for a relationship. The University provides a network of mentors, colleagues, and experiences you can only walk away with if you can provide the time to allow the relationship to flourish. I have found that by diving into my studies whole-heartedly, the knowledge I gain will prepare me for what lies ahead in my career. Attending social events on and off-campus, has created ground for bridges to be built among future leaders. By participating in club activities and supporting a cause I am passionate about, I have gained the practicality to experience the joy a difference can make. They say that "life is what you make it". So go out there and make the most of your life; but most importantly, make the most of your dreams.

When thinking about what advice I would give parents to help quide their child in selecting a school I think of location and overall goals. One thing which I personally did not take into much consideration was the location of my school. Gainesville is a small town without much more than the school and locals. I am someone who likes to explore cities and probably would have preferred a school in a larger city. I also think that parents need to help their kids focus on their overall goals in college and what they might want to do with a degree, or what type of degree they should pursue. Parents should try to take some extra time to help explore different degrees, career oportunities, and available schools. Many of my fellow students still have no idea of what they want to do and many have wasted years, and thousands of dollars, taking classes which were unecessary. I think that going to a school which is in a location you like, and can also provide you with the necessary skills for your future would make for a very happy college exprience.

Study. Get involved on campus. Take advantage of campus resources. Start your job search before graduation. Have fun.

Apply to alot of scholarships

When looking for the right school for students applying to college as freshmen. Students should assess the things that thye find important. They should look into the academic recognition of the school, the quality of the athletic teams, the location, the class sizes, if the University is public or private, and if it is a small or large university. They should then weigh what they feel to be most important. Then grade each choice on a scale of 1 to 10. I feel like really putting your options out there based on your own preferences is the only way to choose your school. The place that becomes your home after high school, and where you will meet your real lifelong friends.

Its okay if your child does not know what want to do, give it time and they will find themselves. Visit all the universities that you have true interest in before you commit and live on campus the first year. Get a bank account through the bank the school is affiliated with. TO make the most of college, just take your time and be serious and focused on your grades. Plan to study abroad for a semester/summer. Become friends with at least 2 of your professors in your future major. ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS! You only know what you seek to know! Time management is of the essence and learn to budget early. Set your goals, research your goals; get some hands on experience in your goals to see if it fits your interest. Be willing to work hard for what you want, especially that A in Calculus! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER stop calling your parents and tell them how you are doing and whats new in your life. Parents speak about safety and STI's and dangers of unprotected sex. Be SMART/ WISE from now on. YOU CAN DO IT! Respect yourself and others will do likewise!

make sure itrs where you want to spend the next four years. dont go somewhere because its where everyone is going.. make sure it is the place the suits you and your wants and needs. for instance if you love college sports and you want to experience football season, go to a school that excel in athletics. "Or if you want to major in a certain area... make sure the school can accomidate your needs.

Think about the career you want to pursue. Think about what it is you are looking for and which institution can help you accomplish your goal more effectively and open up more doors for you. Don't pick a college because all your friends picked that school. Do your own research, don't go along with what you hear from others. If possible visit the schools and talk to a few advisors or school officials and ask questions.

I believe when selecting the right college, students should really go for what school will provide the right atmosphere and academics for what major or interests that they intend to pursue. Simply choosing a school because many high school friends are attending it is never a good idea nor is enrolling in a college when you honestly feel as though it is not right for you. It takes a combination of both heart and mind when selecting the perfect university. It is a major step and parents should guide and not place extreme pressure their child's choice since this can be a very hard decision for a young mind. Finally, once a school has been selected, ALWAYS get involved. You never knows the connections and bonds that you might be missing out on if you make no effort in engaging in student life and organizations. In the end, college can be one of the most fulfilling and exciting times in a person's life. You can't afford to waste one minute of it!

Visit the school and think about what size school you want.

Don't go to University of Florida.