University of North Carolina at Pembroke Top Questions

College is new. It's fun. It's exciting. It's an experience unlike anything you have ever encountered, and will probably end up being one of the best. It's just important to find a school that fits your needs academically and socially. It's important to visit the campuses of the schools you're interested in because websites and brochures almost never do it justice. It's also important to know for sure that college is the best option for you. If you're not mature enough, or for any other reasons, not ready, it can be miserable for you. It is also important to make sure that you do all your research and to make deadlines. Time management is key, and it's also important not to let your social life interfere with your school work. It's beneficial to join a club or group or a fraternity or sorority. Having people that share the same ideals with you can help form a support system and to make the transition into living alone and being away from your family and friends.

Students should get involved in the activites going on around campus. Staying on campus is a great idea because you are right there where everything is and you have the opportunity to meet so many new people. Get to know your professors and the faculty. They are usually willing to help students; you just have to make yourself available. Fraternities, sororities, spports and extra curricular activities are a great way to get to know new people. Always go to class. A lot of times professors give extra points at the end of the semester for those that attend regularly or have perfect attendance. There is no reason you should miss class unless you are deathly sick. It is imperative and makes homework and reading materials that much easier. Parents should know that their children will be on their own at college and do not have somebody to look after them all the time. Its a learning experience and a chance for them to grow up. Students should be cooperative because its not only new for them but realize your parents are learning to. School is all about partying and drinking, there are great alternatives, and people who feel the same.

Choose the school that makes you the most comfortable, especially if you're going to be away from home for the first time. If you're in a place where you're comfortable, you are most likely to be happy and work hard to succeed.

I would advise parents to go with their child to different colleges so they can see how daily life is there. I would look for schools that have your particular interests and degrees you want to obtain. I advise parents to be supportive of their child/student no matter what school they decide to attend. Students should explore all the opportunities they can and even look into joining a group or club on campus. For a good college experience, every student should always ask for help and ask questions because knowledge is contagous and teachers are here to help us reach our highest potential. I would suggest to take classes outside your major classes that you seem interested in because you never know what you like until you try it out. Going out for a sorority/fraternity can definitly help enhance your college experience because it opens up doors and helps you to meet people you never thought you would even talk too. I would advise a student to not be shy and make friends because college friends are you friends for life and there are so many people out there in college who have the same interests as you.

Do not send your child to this school.

I would let the parents know about how most college students get caught up in partying rather than their work with school and how to talk with their kids about their priorities when it comes to their child's life. I would tell the students not to drink excessively and to always use the "P" word, PLAN not PROCRASTONATE.

Vist every college the student applies. Spend a few days on campus to also get a feel of the campus.

I would say, it's one step in choosing the school. But the most important step is what you do while your at the college of your choice. Whether to be a leader, or an individual in thought and in action. Professors should challenge you, however it's your goal to become the person you want to be. And the actions and choices you make will have an impact in your dreams and future.

When looking for a college, I would consider first to find a school with the most comfortable price range (as comfortable as college costs can be) for you and your family. Next, I would weed out the schools with the littlest number of degree programs. I went to college knowing exactly what I wanted to do. Now, I wish I went to a school with more options. I recommend looking at many web sites because they tend to be more accurate then pamphlets. Many websites allow you to e-mail the specific professors directly and ask them your questions that are specific to them or their department. I would also suggest that you tour all of your top schools. Let the student let you know which one just feels right to them. I did not want to tour the school I now call home. My parents forced me to go and just see it and as soon as we finally got on campus, it just fit me and I could really see myself fit in there. I really hope my advice helps new students and their families while they make this very tedious and very exciting decision.

The best advice I could give parents or students who are looking into different colleges is to go with their initial instinct of a campus. If the student feels like they would be at home at a certain school they should strongly consider attending that university.

I would tell the student to look for a college that fits their personality. If you like a big school by all means go to a bigger school, but if you are like me, and prefer a smaller surrounding, you should look for a smaller school. Make the most out of your college experience. College is suppose to prepare you for the "real world", so find a school that will help you the most. The most important piece of advise is to do what is best for you find the major, school, living arrangements, job, etc. that is best for your own good. For parents I would say to be ready to let go. Its hard to see a child leave, but there is always fall break and Christmas. Just because your child is no longer in the same house, does not mean that you have lost them for good. Also let your child know that your still there for them and the safety net is still there for some support. When I left for my freshman year, my mother told me " just because the baby bird left the nest, doesn't mean that she is flying all alone."

Look for something not too big, but not too small either. If it is too small, the students just tend to do as little as possible to get by. Make sure there is plenty to do around town, if not you won't enjoy much, besides hanging out with your friends (even that can get repetitive and boring). But it is important to be close to home so that if you do happen to get that bored, or sick, or lonely you have somewhere you can get to easily.

i think that it would be great to interact with the students before coming to the school of your choice so you can get the inside scoop on anything and everything

Make visits with your child and really find out what the college has to offer and what it is known for.

Make sure it's somewhere where you child can captailize on strengths and build up weakness!

Find a college that has a good department for the student's choice of study.Meet with the prfoessors of that department, and get involved as quickly as possible with getting information about the major. Have the studlege and meet new students to have someone to look to for help or to hang out with.

I would tell theses parents/ students to keep their options open. Dont focus on one good aspect of a school, focus on the bigger picture. I believe it is important for students to stay focused on their schoolwork and not get too caught up in the social aspects of college life. It is very hard to redeem yourself after you have made alot of academic mistakes.

Take the time to go with your child to different colleges to make sure you choose the right one!

I would tell parents and students alike to visit every college they have even the least bit of interest in because they could find things they really like at a college they weren't really looking at or they may find things they strongly dislike at their first choice. For students I would say it is important to live in a dorm the first year and get involved in as many activities as you can because that is where you find your "college family" and that family is something that is so important when you are away from home and stressed out. I would also say stay focused on your work and never get behind but make time to have fun or its a wasted experience. Just make the most of it because its the best time of your life!

Following your passions can greatly help you in gaining admittance to universities. Admissions committees want passionate students to be on their campus because it makes their college more friendly and interesting. When it comes to the more selective colleges, I can't stress enough how much the uniqueness factor seems to play a role in admissions. When considering a college most students know about such things as size and location of the college. But there are many other, more obvious issues that might be considered. For instance, as a student you might be concerned with how the administration of the college addresses student concerns. Now you might not think this is not a big deal as a student but you would be wrong. Another word of advice to students is talk to current students and ask them about students relationship with the administration. As a parent myself, my advice to parents is try not to push one college at your child. Give your child one or two choices of the colleges they would like to attend. After all, this is one the most important decisions of their lives, and they should have some imput on their college choice.

I would just tell them not to take themselves too seriously. Learn to relax and open your mind up to anything.

Parents should give full support no matter what school their child attends. Students should really think about possible schools and go check out the campus, faculty, and current students. Find out all you can about the school such as prices of food, how library works, distance to and from classes, etc.

My advice to both parents and students is to take campus tours and ask as much questions as possible such as what percent of students recieve financial aid, what is there to do for fun around or off campus, and how secure is the campus. Also, talk to someone who attends that college, has attended that college, or thought about attending it. Usually the current and alumni students will give advice on the pros and cons of the school. The professors and staff on the other hand will probably tell you its the best school to attend because they work there.

Make sure the school has everything the student needs to be successful academically and extracularly.

look at things that you might be interested in such as clubs and how the course of study you want to major is has the right people and staff that you want to be involved in.

I would think long and hard about making your decision on one visit to that college. They tell you everything you want to hear but once you are here, all they care about is your money. They don't care if you are struggling with your dorm mates. Also look for a school with better transpotation and more local places to attend with other college kids. College kids should not have to travel 30 miles to have a nice dinner or go to a movie. Also try to find someone she has a lot in common with to attend school with. The best thing I have done is join a church in Pembroke and they treat me like family. I wish everyone was so nice.

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See what college is out their that best fits you as a person and just not the programs, which is important but the environment of the school is important too. Making the most out of your expereince is very important, which to me does not have to include substance abuse and partying. To me it means to make new friends and just enjoy the learning experience.

The best advice i coud give to a student is to balance evything thing that you do. Don't overbook yourself with extra activities. You're going to need time to do homework, study, and most of all, have fun. College is not only a learnng expirence, but it's a social experience. it's a place to meet new people, experience new things, and hopefully find what you really want to do with your life. College will help you every step of the way, and if you need help, your friends will help you as well. As for parents, the greatest advice i could give is simply don't pressure your children. trust me, they are already going through enough things and already feel enough pressure on thier own. the last thing that a student wants or needs is more pressure from thier parents. Instead, be supportive of your child's activities, even if you don't agree, because that is what your college student needs more than ever: support. It may be something you don't agree with, but you have to realize that it is something your child believes in. They will appreciate you more for it.