University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Top Questions

I would tell students they they need to find the campus they feel the most at home on. I believe they should talk to the teachers and visit a classroom while it is session before they decide where to go. I believe the environment and people you surround yourself with make a huge impact on your personal and academic success. A student should ask themselves, "Would I feel alone here." If the answer is yes, then they should look somewhere else. I also feel that getting involved on campus makes a large difference in the overall college experience. Make sure the college you choose makes it easy to interact and become involved with classmates- it's important. I would also tell students to let parents help in the decision making process. If your parent doesn't like the school you are looking at, then ask them why- and reevalute together a better decision. Most importantly a student should feel wanted by the university. Some universities have an additude like, "What can you do for us?" but the right university will have an additude like, "What can we do for you? How can we help you follow your dreams?"

Choose the right college that best fits the student's personality and wants.

Go see any and all you can before making your choice, and don't be afraid to talk to people. Talk to the people beside you, or you could be in for a lonely college experience.

Think about what your priorities are, and choose a school that fits those. My priority was to get an affordable education, and to major in linguistics. Other people might put more emphasis on getting into a prestigious school with a good reputation, or maybe you want to go to a school where all your friends are going (or a school where all your friends are not going). Whatever your priorities are, make sure they are your priorities, and not your parents' or your friends'. It's your future, and while it's important to take advice from people who love you, be sure to make a decision that you can be happy with.

Don't choose a college based off where your friends are going, go to a college that has a great program for the degree you want to be focusing on. I chose OU because of it's well-known journalism program, and although I have met many new friends, i've learned that academics come first; because after 4 years, it's time to find a job. I would also highly recommend living in the dorms as a freshman, and even going Greek. I have made the best friends and memories with those two experiences.

First, i think they need to evaluate what they are wanting from their University. Search the field that they would most like be entering and then see what that university has to offer them. Each student is different and going to school to have all different kinds of careers. With this in mind One university is not make for everyone. Once the family or student has decided what they are wanting in their university the next step would be to take tha list of universities and see which one is able to accomadate their financial situations. When it boils down to it I believe that the student can only get what they put into their schooling and their college. Yes, I can give you my advice for how to pick a univeristy that best suits the individual, but only the student can be the one to make the most of their college experiences.

Be sure to visit it first because it will become more clear whether or not you want to go to that school.

Pick the RIGHTcollege for the student. Parents do have a lot of say to where their children go, but make sure that it is in the best intrest of the student. A student can only do so much if they are in a place that they do not want to be at. Forceing a student to be some place where they are not comfortable is not going to do a student any good. True, no one said that it was going to be easy but if a parent can make the experience one that a student will like, why not make it easy for them. Students should do research on the university of their choice. Do not go to a place that has a huge population if a student is not used to that . Try to make the transition from high school to college as easy as possible. Encourage a student to go out and try new things and meet new people. Being able to make connections and meet people is what college is all about, and is part of the college experience.

Do not take the privilege of being able to go to college for granted! Make use of every college day, may that be studying or networking. Either way, keep both balanced. When you slack off for one day, it's like you're behind ten days. The college experience takes a big part of maturing into a well-rounded, balanced individual. You learn so much about yourself as well as the world around and outside of yours.

Find a college that specializes in the area you want to go into. If you don't know, don't waste your money on a university education at first. Attend a community college first and get the basics out of the way. You will save money that way. Make the most out of your college experience. Have fun but don't dismiss your studies. Learn the best way for you to study and stick to it. College is not entirely about partying, although that doesn't mean that you can't have fun. Balance is the key. ATTEND CLASS. That is the most important thing I can tell you. Even if you feel you already know everything, just attending class will increase your knowledge and confidence, not to mention that if your instructor notices that you show up every time, he/she might give you more slack than those students who skip frequently. I remember hearing this advice and not believing it, but I know now how true it really is.

Find out what you want to do in life, then pick the college that will fit you.

Students should attend a college that fits their personalities and goals, and where they always feel at home on campus. For some, that means a large public university with many departments and educational opportunities, thousands of new people to meet, competitive sports teams and a large Greek system. Other people might enjoy a smaller, private college where their adviser doesn't need to pull up a file to remember what classes they still need. Parents and students should keep in mind that there is no one perfect education path for everyone. Some people might graduate in four years, while others might switch majors three times and graduate in six. As someone who left to join the work force before returning to college, the best advice I can give is to get as much real-world experience as possible. Take advantage of internships, work at the school newspaper, study abroad for a semester. Education is not just about GPAs and books. The more students discover about the world, the more they will discover about their own possibilities. By graduation, they should have a strong sense of who they are and where they want to go in life.

Don't look at just the rankings in the magazines, students must feel at home when they are touring the campus. I felt from the moment I stepped on campus, when I was in the 6th grade, that this was going to be my school!!

Go with what feels right to you, even if you may have to work to pay for one school versus not having to at another; if it feels like home to you, it is worth it. I felt a connection as soon as I stepped foot on my campus, and even though I have to work and make some sacrifices, I wouldn't trade it for the world. You need to choose somewhere that you feel like the community is yours and that you are part of a family there, I think that is the only way to succeed and to be happy through school. Make the most of what you have too, take advantage of opportunities to be involved on campus. Life is always better when you feel that you are a part of something.

If I was asked for advice on finding the right college or university, which I have been several times, I would tell them that college hard and that to stay on top they need to stay focused. I would tell students not to choose a school just because their friends are attending there, but because they are honestly interested in the degree programs and have studied things about the school such as professors, workloads and facilities. I would tell them to choose a school where they are comfortable financially because financial worry will get in the way of their studies and extracurriculars. I would tell parents to support their children wherever they decide to go because the more support a student has the more they will succeed. Also, not to push their children into too many extracurriculars such as fraternities and sororities because sometimes they can distract students from their main focus (school.) Last but not least the students should choose a school where they fit in socially and where they feel comfortable. The less social issues that a student encounters the better. Students need to have fun socially so that they don't over do it academically.

Parents tell your kids to believe in themselves and students always believe in yourself because you can accomplish anything if you believe in yourself.

I would tell you to make sure you go to the college that is best for your major. And whenever picking a major, make sure it is something you love and can see yourself doing in the future. Good luck!

Make sure that when choosing a University that you will be able to be supported financially, because a lot of times financial aid services are not helpful. Also look in to the greek program at the University and consider being involved. Take a look at what types of clubs and organizations are offered and get involved. When choosing a school, make sure that what you're looking to study has a good program at the selected University, as well.

Remember you're sending your whole self, not just your academic self there. Don't choose a school because it's for smart kids or dumb kids, choose a school because it is a place you can see as a place you can grow to love.