University of Iowa Top Questions

I would tell myself to concentrate on school more during my freshman year of college. I would also tell myself to be more outgoing and make more friends while living in the dorms. I should have gotten closer with my roommates freshman year and studied harder. I had a tendency to slack off my freshman year and I am paying for it now, so my number one piece of advice would be to concentrate on my schoolwork and attend classes more.

If I could go back in time, I would give myself advice about study skills. I would make myself critcally think about the topics, instead of just skimming through main topics. The transition from high school to college was a very big shock to me. I do not think I was fully perpared for my road ahead in college. I would also take more AP classes and really challenge myself. I was an overall good student in high school, but I know that I could have pushed myself more in order to live up to my full potential.

Since I am a music major at Iowa, I would tell myself to start practicing my flute even more then. Perform as many recitals as possible within the time I had left in high school so I would be more use to the peformance aspect. But most of all, audition for more scholarships because out of state tuition is high but enjoy every performance I end up doing.

Try harder so you can get into Iowa right away

Get started early to avoid stress. Be organized and optimistic

Join a student group that fits you and find your niche.

Do not panic over every little assignment or test. Take things one step at a time and do you best. Your best is all you can ever ask of yourself. Make sure that you choose a major that intrests you and believe in yourself. Everything will work out in the end.

Don't go crazy partying when you first get to college. Don't be afraid to stay in. Hang out with as many different people as possible, no matter how you initially judge them. Don't procrastinate in class! Don't stay up too late at night.

Looking at myself now there is nothing I would have changed about what I have done so far. I try hard and do my best at every task that comes my way. I look at myself as a leader towards my peers and push myself as much as needed to get things done. I have learned before college to try my best whether im the best or worse at something. Trying your hardest is all I know to do and all that I can do. In the end, im happy with myself whether I greatly succeed or dont do as I planned. Going back and changing something would not be an option fort the simple fact I know that im doing the best I can ask of myself.

Were I to return to myself as a college senior, I would tell myself that I was basically doing everything I could to succeed in college. I would also let myself know that I will fit in better at the University of Iowa than I did in my senoir year of high school. This is because I had gone to China for my junior year, and changed significantly so that former friends were no longer friends, but at the University of Iowa, there is such a large community of Chinese people that I can fit into that social group. One thing I might have changed was applying to Columbia as my first choice. I cannot imagine a college being more perfect for me than the University of Iowa, and I would have gotten an additional scholarship had it been my first choice.

I would tell myself to take difficult classes in high school to better prepare me for college, regardless of whether or not i would pass them in high school

Visit many different schools!

Well I did join a sorority but I joined a semester later than everyone else. I came to college not knowing anyone and when I joined a sorority I found my best friends and people who will always be here to support me. If I could go back and tell myself something, it would be to join a sorority when girls are going through formal recruitment. I wish I could have met the people I know now a semester sooner because coming to college not knowing anyone is really scary. I know that if I would have come to school and met these people sooner I would ultimately be happier. I'm not saying I'm not happy now, I just wish I could've met these amazing people sooner.

Do NOT slack off your first year. Set goals for yourself weekly, monthly, and yearly. And NEVER give up on your goals. You are a bright individual-don't let distractions your first year in college steer you off your track to a bright future.

I would tell myself to study more. College is a lot harder then high school. They allow you a bigger degree of control over what you do. I would tell myself to get in the habit of being disciplined to study hard for upcoming tests. I would tell myself everything matters in high school. It all prepares you for college and beyond. I would tell myself to be organized, disciplined, and work, work, work. If you develop these skills in high school then they will carry over into college and make your college career much more enjoyable.

Parents: researching college is a pretty stressful yet exciting experience for your kids. Try not to overwhelm them or pressure them into doing things your way. They appreciate your help and support but this is where they need to grab hold of their independence. Kids: don't let anyone pressure you into thinking or doing what THEY want. This is YOUR future so do what you want. Be smart about your choices, don't go to the biggest party school but then again, don't rule out schools that have a reputation for having fun. Find a good medium where you can have a good education and fun extracurriculars.

Parents and students need to visit college campuses and talk to the students who go there. The student needs to find a school that fits exactly his/her interests and will help him/her reach his/her dreams and goals in life. To be successful one needs to be able to do well in school and achieve everything they aspire to. One also needs to like the campus and imagine themselves going there. Enjoyment needs to come out of not only learning but the campus life as well. A student also needs to check into the extracurricular activities to see how involved they can get on campus. Getting involved by volunteering, sports, or Greek life will impact one's life positively. Getting involved will allow one to get more out of college and to make more meaningful experiences. Parents need to help their students pick a university they will feel comfortable and get the most out of.

go with your gut

Visit. There's no amount of brochures or pictures on websites that will give you the real feel of where you're planning to go. I very extensively researched all the schools I was looking at. I toured at least four campuses, but until I toured the University of Iowa, I wasn't sure where I should go. But after I'd toured the campus, met the professor, and met some of the people, I knew there was no other place I could be. The campus visit was absolutely the deciding factor.

The University of Iowa. ---A Poem This school has a bit of this and a bit of that. College kids intermingling with Hawkeye backpacks and baseball caps. Students seriously studying studiously. And waiting for night class to end, and for football season to begin. Can you hear the laughter, the jokes, the cheers? Of course, Of course as well as the clinking of beers! If drinking and partying isn't what your into There are many different options there for you too... Basketball at the Fieldhouse or Student Government, Staying Green keeping the world clean, Or making sculptures out of cement. Much to do so much to do Professors are there and many friends to be made too School clubs, book stores, coffee shops, golf course At the University of Iowa Pride flies like an eagle... And one thing is for sure: Black and Gold blood runs through the veins of all of these people!

Finding the right college may take time, but it is something that will shape who you become. My advice for the college seach would be to look at a variety of institutions; big schools, small schools, liberal arts colleges, research institutions. Also keep in mind what your major might be and make sure that the schools you are looking at offer them. As for making the most out of your college experience, as you may have heard dozens of times already, get involved. Do not just join one club or sport, but pick a handful that might interest you. This will help you in deciding what you want to do with your degree or future. It helps to get variety in your college experience or your day will turn into mundane tasks. College is not just about gaining the minimum amount of knowledge in order to graduate and get your degree, but learning and experiencing new things that will help you along the way.

Think of picking college and making the most of the experience like you would picking a new shirt. Is the price right for you? Are you willing to splurge a little, a lot, or not at all? How does the shirt make you feel? Are you comfortable wearing something more conservative (smaller school) or will you pick a more bold top off the beaten path? How useful is the shirt in terms of what you're buying it for (area of study)? And as with any purchase, follow your first instinct. Does it feel right, like something you won't want to return after taking it home? In the end, we all want a great buy, and not only for a good price, but for something we will love and feel privileged to have. When picking the right college, just take a look in your closet or mall of options, and be proud of what you take home.

A piece of advice to the parents: college costs more than it used to. Cost of attendance should not be the deciding factor on which school your student chooses. I chose an instate school because it was half the cost of my current school, the University of Iowa, and ended up hating it so much that I transferred after one semester. If I had gone with my first choice based on all other factors besides cost, I would have never gone to the first school, and would have been at U of Iowa from the beginning. On the flip side, some advice for students. If you end up not loving the school you chose, transferring is a good option. Your parents might freak out at the idea, but once they see how much more positive your experience is when you enjoy and love your school, they will know your decision was a good one.

Good luck!

I would tell students to not choose a college based on where their friends are going. Pick somewhere that is good for exploring new ideas or even what you're already interested in. Visit a couple schools before deciding in order to see what the campus is like. Even try and stay overnight to see the night life. Also, make sure the school has the extra curriculars you would like as well as available study tools. Look into a school that helps you feel comfortable. Students' minds are changing all the time, you want the school to be accomodating.

I would advise parents and students to pick their college based on the degrees and programs offered, the location, and where they feel comfortable. Students should be excited about going to college and should go somewhere they are truly looking forward to going. To get the most out of the college experience I would tell students to get involved in their school and the community, work hard in their classes, and be social and enjoy themselves especially on weekends. Being focused on academics is important but to get the true college experience students need to find a way to balance academics and fun.

Always look for something that will be right for you. Don't let anyone scare you into thinking a school is too big, and don't let anyone scare you into thinking that stereotypes are always true. You can go to a party school and not party. Always look at your major program at the school you want to attend. Pick a school with a good program for what you want to do, and get involved with it. Don't be afraid to take a chance, and push yourself to step outside your comfort zone.

My advice is to visit the colleges you're looking at. Narrow it down to a few different colleges, and then visit them - if possible, several times. Try to visit while school's in session, so you can maybe sit in on a class or two, and try to visit it in different seasons, so you can see what the weather is like and what students do for recreation during these different time periods. When you visit the college, talk to students - ask them how they like their classes and professors, how they like the school in general, and what they do in their free time. You can also ask them about opportunities to volunteer, do extracurricular activities, or have jobs on or off campus. Asking students these questions can help you in several ways - their answers are probably the true answers. These students already go there and have nothing to lose by telling you the truth. Also, if these students are friendly and helpful to you, you can learn more about the atmosphere of the college and the way student life in general is. If they're friendly to a stranger, they're likely to be friendly in general.

I honestly do not think that I can give legitimate advice about finding the 'right' college. One thing I can say is that, when deciding which college to attend, a student should definitely consider the rank of the appropriate small college within a university (i.e. Liberal Arts & Sciences, Business, etc.). In addition, students should be very mindful of the recreational/extracurricular activities as well as volunteer opportunites, or other things that could lead to an internship or experience in the student's field of study. Also, students should consider home when choosing college (distance, small vs. big town, atmosphere). Other than those factors, choosing the right college is difficult. A campus tour doesn't do any college justice becasue it serves as a 'sample', and does not give the student a chance to experience college life at the respectable college. Lastly I would like to add that, in finding the 'right' college, experience plays an extremely important role. When I started at the UI, I didn't think I would like it at all because of the difference between Chicago & Iowa City, but after the first year, I met amazing people, and that's when the favorable experience began.

Make sure that the campus and social scene fit your personality. Don't try to go to a huge college if you think it might be more than you can handle. Make sure the faculty are of good quality.

Go where you feel is a good fit for you, make sure you take into account other factors like climate and extra-curricular opportunities. Make sure the school feels like a good fit for you and make sure you visit. Also take the time to seek out what activities there are on campus because you will be surprised and it is definitely worth it and in the end it can really help out on a resume. Getting involved in something you might not normally be interested in is a great way to expand your experience and find and interest you might not know you have. Make sure you go to class and work hard and explore any opportunity that you can, it will all pay off in the long run. Make sure you take advantage of any help the college offers (such as people to review your resume etc.) Every little thing helps in the path to suceess so make sure you take full advantage of it.

I would tell them to be sure not to choose to go to the first college they look at. It is very important to visit many colleges to start out with and then revisit the top colleges you visited. This way you will have been to the school more than once before you choose to go there. It is also important to research about the school.

To find the college or university that best fits you or your child's needs, start looking ahead of time. If the student knows what he/she wants to do, apply to colleges/universities that offer programs in that field. Also, look up the requirements to participate in those programs and start ahead of time meeting those qualifications. Financial aid is also something to start thinking about early on. Coming from a student that pays the entirety of my college experience, save all the money you can down to the last dollar in the time before college. Even if the student's parents are helping with financial needs, the student will need money for groceries, various activities your college may have to offer, and a social life. I would say the best advice a college student or parent could get is not to let the hussle and bussle of college stress you out. Yes, it is a stressful time in both the student's and parents' lives, but with determination and a will to succeed, everything will turn out great.

I would definitely put a lot of time and research into finding the perfect school. Get the facts of the schools you are interested. The facts are a great place to start and include things like class sizes, tution costs, average GPA, availability of on-campus living, etc. However, I believe it is crucial to visit the colleges you are most interested it. Just stepping on a campus can give you an amazing feeling of the unverisity and can sometimes tell you instantly if you are a good match. Meeting current students and faculty is a great indicator of the types of persons you will most likely encounter if you chose a particular school. Choosing a school is a diffcult and tedious process but if dones correctly can change your life and your future for the better.

Choosing a college is often difficult especially when the cost of tuition continually rises. It is important to choose a school that provides academic excellence in the field they are choosing to study. The desired school should provide a variety of on campus facilities to accommodate the needs of the student. I would recommend for students to visit the college with friends and/or family to experience the type of environment they will be immersed in. It is best to recognize the type of attention and interaction that occurs in the classroom if picking between a private college or university. There are a few critical things to do to maximize ones college experience. It is important to make local friends to show you fun places and activities to do in the community. Show your school pride by attending sporting events and join clubs related to your major. It is also important to attend career fairs and complete an internship before graduating. You should consider studying abroad for a semester to realize there are opportunities all around the world!

For students, I would advise visiting the campus of the colleges you are thinking of attending, and choose the one that feels most like home to you. Be avid with your schoolwork, staying up all night cramming for a test is no fun! Go out for as many extra-curricular activities as you can, its the best way to meet new people and find out more about yourself. Create a budget and stick to it. For parents, I think the best thing they can do is to support their child or children. Call them often, send care packages, send letters, and visit often as well. If you can't afford to pay for your child's college experience, help them with student aid, it can be a daunting process.

To find the right college make sure you visit the choosen school, and many others. Start going early, during your sophomore year to colleges around the area to become familiar with questions to ask, what to look for, and what the student wants out of their college experience. Don't simply stop there, plan weekend trips to visit schools that are further from home. But do your research on each school, it maybe tedious at the time but it pays off. Don't settle for the closests school because its there, or a family tradition. Look at the facts and visit many schools, you'll get something out of each visit. Making the most out of college is finding a good balance between friends, school and being alone for the first time. The formula may take some tweeking but make sure your priorities are in order. This isn't a $20,000 party, its an education. That should always be the focus, some nights may be spent studying instead of out with friends, but they'll understand and be there when you're done. Also, missing home is normal and does fade, holidays and phone calls do help a lot.

I think that it's important for students and family to visit the campuses of schools that are "in the running," so to speak, before attending. Visit with current students and faculty in departments of interest to the student, as well as community members, in order to make sure the school is going to be a good fit. That being said, I think that it is equally important for the student to visit the school again on his or her own. People act differently around their parents than they do with people their own age and it's important to make sure that, when the student is alone, that he or she will be able to feel comfortable in their new home, allowing them to discover themselves as a person.

Find an undergraduate college that offers Study Abroad, and is not too expensive. The less loans to pay, the better.

Find somewhere that fits for you! Remember that you're not only looking at a place for your schooling, but also a place to make friends and have fun. You don't want to be stuck at a place you don't like or I promise you, you won't do well!

Go to many different schools, and spend the night with people you know. Meet lots of people and do not let anyone hold you back. Study a lot, it is the reason you are there in the first place, but have fun on the weekends!

When my friends were starting to choose colleges they wanted to attend, their parents chiming in with all of their fun and exciting college experiences. Neither of my parents went to college, so the experiences that I would be having were none that I was aware of. When choosing a college think about what best fits you. For me, I always wanted the big ten sports. Think about what you are interested in and what you want the school that will be part of your life forever to offer you. Think about the greek life, sports, athletics, size, distance from home, academics. There are many important things that you should consider while finding the right college. My advice would be to consider these issues by youself, for yourself. My Dad's famous line was always, "seize the moment." My famous line is, "have no regrets." College only happens once in life, make sure you live it up to the fullest. Get involved with clubs and activities. Study, but also make time for your social life. You will only experience college once, make sure you put yourself first and have no regrets! College is the best time of your life!

Honestly, go with where your comfortable. The last thing a student wants is to not adjust to the environment in which they are put. If it meets your financial budget, let your student pick, don't force a school he/she is uncomfortable with. Meet friends, don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Take chances, have fun and don't give up. College is a time you want to remember. It can be the best time of your life, you just need to make it that. Stay on top of your studies and have fun.

I would say to apply for plenty of scholarahips. I would also say to have a good repoire with your teachers, and to have and practice managing your time wisely.

My firm conviction is that visiting colleges gives prospective students the most accurate idea of whether a particular school is right for them. However, don't stop at the guided tour; offroad a bit. Talk to current students, people whose first interest is not selling the school to you. Get them to tell you what they like and dislike - chances are, you'll agree. Find a way to read the school's newspaper, be it in print form or online. Also, while you're visiting, you should DEFINITELY stop in the dining hall. Try to see off-campus housing if you can (they'll probably show you what's on campus during your guided tour). Most importantly, talk to people. If you can't find someone who shares your interests - be they politics or football or H. P. Lovecraft - maybe you should look somewhere else. Whatever you do, don't let someone make your decision for you - and remember that you can always transfer.

I would make sure that the student goes to visit thier schools of interest. They should check out differnt types of schools to see which one they like better. For example, big school, little school, in a town, or in the country. Make sure the distance from home is confortable for you. Not to far and not to close. They should pick out a school that they can afford or at least can get loans for. Pick a school that has stuff to do outside the class room, and don't pick the biggest party school. Students should live in the dorm for at least a year. it is a great place to meet new people and get ajusted to the new college life.

Don't go to an out-of-state school unless you can afford to pay for it without taking out loans. It's not worth the extreme debt you will be in when you graduate. Go to a state school, and make the best out of it!

I would tell them to go to the school that they feel most comfortable at; not the one that their friends are attending You're college experience is what you make it, so make the most of it because it only lasts four years. And always remember that you are at school to learn; partying comes second. Remember that during the first year everyone wants to make friends, so be open to introducing yourself to fellow classmates and dorm residents. Enjoy every minute of it!

I would encourage parents and students to be open about what they are looking for in a college. I would encourage visits to the potential colleges the student could attend, because both the students and the parents need to see the campus in order to know that both parties will be comfortable if the student decides to go to that university. I would warn students to not attend a college simply because their high school friends are going to that college or because their significant other is going there. College is a time of growing and clinging to high to ties will not allow the student to fully enjoy the college experience and meet new people. Branch out and enjoy life because that is what college is all about, through this the person learns responsibility and how to be an adult.

The most important criteria in finding the right college is in assessing what you're looking to take from it. Why are you there? Are you search of training for a selected career path, or is it because you've graduated high school and college is what you're supposed to do? If you're in the latter category, as most of the students I knew seemed to be in, I have advice. I chose college not knowing why I was there. I wanted to be a Hawkeye at the University of Iowa. Being a large, state school, I was able to attend a wide variety of classes my freshman year to experiment and see what I liked. Unfortunately I liked art classes best and now have a useless degree and work in a bar. I do not advise this. Experiment, with classes, but please, please, please pick something that transfers into a career. It doesn?t matter how much fun the classes are, they are only a bridge to where you ultimately want to go. It can be hard to focus on life post-graduation, but the most important part of college is remembering why you are there.