University of New Mexico-Main Campus Top Questions

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

Herardo

Have several options for colleges and visit them to see if the environment and people are compatible to the student's needs.

Monique

Take your time, and let your kid do what their heart desires. They're going to have to be the ones who deicide their future. Encourage, but don't pressure your children. My parents were very hard on me during HS, but come college I had to make my own way and do what I found to be beneficial to me. You can only parent for so long, and college is a time for growth and coming into your own. Believe me, going into college with a "plan" never turns out as...planned.

Bonnie

Be involved in your campus community as much as possible... and find a school that will let you do that. The fine print of your school's rules matters way more than you might think. Seemingly innocuous requirements (for a merit scholarship, in my case) can make it all but impossible to enjoy your college experience to the fullest. Taking a semester off to work or intern, or just not taking a killer course load every single semester, may vastly improve your college experience but could ruin your ability to pay for that experience.

Alicyn

I think that to make the most out of your college experience a person should really know what they want to do and persure a career in, before attempting to get a degree of any sort. A person who has no clue about what they want to do when they get to college, or maybe just has an idea about it but still wants to explore a lot of different options may chave the effect of wasting a lot of time, and money which they could be using to really further their education and make sure they use their advantages as a college student to their fullest.

Hannah

Make sure you make the most out of your high school career, especially your grades. That is the kep into getting into the school you want.

Denise

Find a college that focuses on your career choice and study area. You will succeed more and get more help to find a job once you are finished. The better accredidation your college has the better off you will be when applying for a job!

Aaron

my best advise is to do all of yoru research first. dont settle. always have a back up plan. dont choose a college just because it is close or where all of your friends are going. make sure to get involved. a fraternity or sorority is an awesome way to make networks for your future and get involved both on an off campus now. and no matter what... GO TO CLASS. hungover, tired, sad, lazy, whatever just go to class.

Renne

finding the right college for yourself is very important. it will helps you to make the right decision to you future life.

Randi

Choosing a college goes beyond selecting the school with the best degree program. If you're not happy with the environment, weather and proximity of services, then it is not the right school. Selecting a college is multi-faceted and should not be based on one criterion. Keeping all these factors in mind will only heighten the collegiate experience and, in my opinion, encourage development and on-time graduation. Visiting colleges (if financially possible) is the best thing one can do to be prepared. Seeing a college's credentials on paper is completely different from visitng the school and experiencing it for yourself.

Nate

go greek!!!!!!!!!

Casey

I would say go with whichever college gives you the best feeling, and is in a place that you feel more comfortable in. If you are a small town kind of kid, and you go to a school in a huge city, you'll probably feel out of place or uncomfortable unless you really want that kind of living area for college. I would also say that you should look into the amount of major and minors that the school offers, which gives you flexibility in choosing and changing your life plans. Also, people need to pay more attention to the types of social activities and options that a school has, and choose a campus that has plenty of things in a variety of ways to get involved with, that way you do not feel completely anonymous and alone during your college career. Also, make sure to find friends who are understanding and get along well with one another, they'll help you through the rest of college and more likely than not they'll be the people you keep in touch with once you graduate. They also allow for hilarity and mix up a normal college experience.

Karra

Visit as many campuses as possible, and ask students questions about the social life. Is there a high consumption of alcohol and drug use. Do you like your professors. What is the most common major at the school.

Khanh

somewhere you would feel comfortable and fanicial also

demetrius

Big universities are not for everyone. I think starting off at community college for the first two year is wise.

Sara

Visit various colleges that you are interested in and schedule meetings with people in the college you are interested in.

Britni

Go where you want to, not where your parents or friends are going, its only four years, it goes fast.

Patricia

When choosing a school a student should take into account what is important to them. For example, family is a big part of my life so I chose to stay in state and I would suggest that for any student who feels the same. If a student is offered a athletic scholarship I would suggest they take it or they might regret it! For someone wants to experience something new and exciting I would suggest an out of state school. Areas that interest the student should be researched, including universities in that area! Once a school is found and the semester starts the student has to remember they are there to receive the best education possible and while social functions are always fun, students have to stay on top of their school work. After students get the school part done I definitely suggest getting involved in clubs and events. Being involved in other areas than just the classroom is a way to relax, have fun, and get away from the homework.

David

It doesn't matter where you go to college, provided there are two things. First, the college needs to offer what you want to study. Second, you need to be able to find out who you, the real you, really is.

Daniel

It all starts the junior year of a students high school carrer. That year is the year students should really be looking at different colleges they want to go and look at the programs they offer, the courses they offer, quality of the school and professors, and cost of the school. They should take their ACT/SAT during their junior and senior year and by their senior year they should have narrowed their college choices down to 1 or 2 by then and start working on the application process, interview with school representatives and focus on graduating and maintaining a good GPA. Once a student is in college they should take every opportunity to get involved on campus and form study groups and interract with new students to make new friends. All of these are the best ways to make the most out of the college experience

Nicolas

Look at the programs that are offered for the field of study you would want to go into. If moving into a dorm, make sure you are comfortable with who you live with because it can cause many problems with a roommate you are not comfortable with.

Alyssa

I would tell both the student and the parent that the right university is not always the one that works you the hardest, has the most recognizable name, or the highest price tag. A university experience is a beautiful thing, a time in one?s life where they have the freedom to choose and mold who they want to be, where they are given the gift of an education, where they will laugh and cry with friends who will last a lifetime... they will learn more than mathematics or english, they will learn about cultures, people, independence, realities of life ... they will recieve an unparalleled opportunity to make an impact on the world in their way, whether it be big or small. Choosing a university should take into account the passions of the student... it should be a place where dreams can be realized, where futures will be determined by the first unaided steps down a unique path. Join clubs, meet people, get involved in sports, write an article for the paper... but above all, do not be afraid to achieve the things you love, because hestitation means they will be snatched away by those without fear. Anything is Possible!

David

My advice is to find a university that best fits an individual's educational needs to be successful in the outside world.

jenna

Make sure any answer given to you by someone at the college should be documented. Talk to students that have graduated from the college your looking at, or a student whose been there awhile.

Kevin

Make sure to tour the campus and get a feel for the enviornment of the school and the attitude of the students there.

Darren

In my opinion most colleges out there have their various pros and con's. It is a common notion that only those who graduate from an Ivy League school with have the best education and will automatically succeed in life and that is just not true. The real test for success lies within each individual student. College for the most part is dependent on what the individual student makes of it. For me, being close to family was important in selecting my university. I had the grades, extracurricular and ACT scores (33 Math, 31 Science) to attend other universities, but ultimately chose a well rounded in-state university. Once you have chose a prospective school, apply for as many scholarships as you can. Also remember that you are not only getting your education but a life experience as well. Have fun and meet new people and network. The most important piece of advice I can offer is to ask questions. There is no student handbook on how to make the most out of college. Each student will develop their own way through asking questions and not being afraid to ask them. The only dumb question is the one not asked.

Jeremy

The only advice I can offer to parents and/or students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to do your research. Find a campus that has activities you enjoy, or clubs you might want to be apart of. Things like sports teams, student government or study groups. However, more importantly, you want to find a university that offers the degree you may see yourself pursuing. If you know what type of degree you want to get, research the program required to complete that degree and ask yourself if you can truly reach your goal. Once you have narrowed down a list of possible universities that offer your desired degree program, you can pick and choose which university from that list offers the best possibility for an unforgettable college experience! As mentioned before, research for activities and clubs you find enjoyable. For example, if your interested in sports you may want to know if a college has a large fan base or school spirit among the student body. Finding the right college or university can be a difficult and time consuming process, but is well worth the effort to find that perfect school.

Devyn

When planning for college it is important to weigh your options. Things like the location of a school, housing, and finances are major things to look into. It is also important to research the field of study that you are looking into to be sure that the school you are applying to fits the needs of your major. If you are a special needs student be sure to ask about the campus and special classes. As a parent with a son or daughter entering college be sure that youre student is getting everything he or she needs to succeed. Be sure the school is willing and helpful when it comes to financial aid, class availability, campus tutors, and other subjects in that nature. Also, as a parent, its important to support youre child in expanding his or her education (even if it means attending the occasional football game with youre face painted up in school colors).

Ana-Alicia

Applying to college and trying to figure out which one is the best one can be a stressful time for both parents and students. Everyone wants to go to a school they think they will get the best education, job, friends, social life, and experience at. In essence though, the college experience depends on how much effort the student puts into it. Whether a person goes to a community college or a large public school he/she can get the same education and experience. If a student joins clubs, gets involved with an academic program, or just gets involved in any way it can help that student academically and socially. Going to a more expensive school, a bigger school, a nicer school, or a farther school doesn't garauntee he/she will be happier there or happier in the long run even with his/her career. It is all about how much effort and persistance he/she puts into that school.

Miguel

I would say the number one thing to look for regarding college choices is the department where the student will be focusing most of his/her studies and that dept's organization. Do they offer the classes that will make getting a bachelor's in four to five years do-able? Are the advisors just there for a day-job or do they go the extra distance for students to make sure they're enrolled in the right classes and that all necessary paper-work is known about and completed? In my opinion most other factors come second because unless the department of focus has itself together, nothing else will really matter. Not to undervalue having a lot of options for extracurricular activities, food, and living, but again if all of the latter are present without the former, most students will not be satisfied with their school of choice. Of course it's always good if the undergrad dept is already known in its field, but equally or more important is how easy it is to get administrative things done and if the dept has connections with masters programs if that is the desired course of study.

Alexandria

Go with the college that fits you most. Yes, academics and what you'd like to do are also important, and you want a school that has a decent program in that, but I've known many who go to the top notch school of science because they want to be a scientist and realize that yes, academically the school worked, but they didn't feel right at the school itself and therefore couldn't concentrate on academics then dropped out and came back to UNM. Like when one gets married (i'm thinking like this because i'm engaged) they say that you should have something that reflects who you are, you're personality. If you are a musician and go to a school of music, great! But if the University is really Liberal and school work is more self paced and tons of hippies smoking pot, but you are conservative, like tough strict schoolwork, and are heavily anti-drugs, it doesn't matter that you're great at music and going to a good music school if it doesn't fit you!

Tyler

Parents play an important role in finding the right college. Parents must stay engaged and they must provide a helping hand with their child's decision. Applying and registering for college can be a difficult experience for many and too often young adults make wrong decisions because it may seem like the easiest decision at the time. Students must also do the research. They should find people that go there, do college visits and look up information. Most schools will have information is readily available! The key is not going in blind. Once you've enrolled in a college, it is time to make the most of your college experience. Your first semester, try to take a somewhat easier load (less than 18 but more than 12 hours). As for social life, get actively involved on campus with organizations and talk to new people! The first week of school, organizations will recruit new students. It's your time to get involved to make college fun! Organizations will help you out and just remember, everyone is in the same shoes as you are! So you do not have anything to worry about! You have the bridge, let the games begin!!

Benjamin

I will let you in on a little secret. Only a fraction of the knowledge you will obtain in college will be from a textbook. With that out in the open use it when selecting your school. You may be asking, "What will I be learning if the majority of my education will be away from class?" You will be learning about yourself. You will likely switch majors way too many times, make friends, lose friends, get hired, get fired, be broke, and make more mistakes than you'll want to admit. You will fall from your nest and just hope that you'll learn to fly before you hit the ground. So what school should you pick? Look for schools that value individualism. They should foster growth socially, intellectually, and spiritually. Visit several schools during the semester to see the campus while it's alive. Realize your potential to change. Even if you think you're destined to be a lawyer don't just look for the college with the best law school because you may miss out on your true passion. When you find a school that makes you feel good, go for it and forget the statistics.

sean

college is the time where you are going to make dumb mistakes . The only Mistake you can avoide is where you want to go. Sit down and look at what this school has for you. Not only the school but whats around the school. The town and people help make the school. This is where you get to pick what school you want. That school should mold you into what you want to be. So take time and look at everything just dont pick the school thats close to home, big party school , and ect.

Nicole

The best advice I can give is research where you want to go! You must have all the facts you can find in order to make an informed decision about the college you would like to attend. Ask questions and learn as much as you can. Also visit the campus! It would be nice to see the place you want to spend your next four years, or however long it may be. Also, students, live on campus your first year! It is a great way to get to know new faces and make friends for life. Also you will not have to worry about the morning commute since you will already be on campus! Parents take a trip to see you child at their campus. It will be nice to have some faces form home if they decided to go to school in another state or city!

Stephen

My advise to parents and students on finding the right college is to educate themselves on as many institutions as possible. I believe that if they do this, they have a much higher chance of finding a place that fits their needs. I also advise students to make the most of their college experience by finding a group on campus or in the area that shares their views. This will motivate them to perform better in the classroom and also outside of the classroom. What parents need to know about how to make the most of their child's college experience is to not be controlling but to be there for help if needed. They need to remember that college is for their child not for them. They already had that chance and its time to let their kids have theirs.