University of South Dakota Top Questions

Dear me as a high school senior, Keep your excitement and wonder about all there is to learn. You are right, the college experience only happens once. All those buildings, all those books, all those professors...they all exist so that you can learn. You will never have this much time, these few obligations, this much access to words and ideas again. Take advantage of every moment. Soak it all in. Stop into your professors' offices and pick their brains. Get to know them as humans. Tell them how much you appreciate what they are giving to you. Spend oodles of time in the library...what a sanctuary. ..just to stroll through the aisles and read the titles is a heady experience. But you know all this. For this is how you explored your four years of college. You decided to be a scholar for this period of time even though your high school peers laughed and could only imagine you as the class clown. You ignored their teasing, and plunged into the world of ideas and it served you well. My advice for you? Make the exact same choices: pick the professors you love; bend the rules. It worked.

If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to take more ap classes. Also I would advise myself to make more friends and be more outgoing during high school.

I think the most important thing about finding a college is that the parents need to let the kids pick what they want to do and where they want to go. I was somewhat pressured into going to a certain school and being in a particular major because it was the smart thing to do, but in the end I hated the school I went to and I am not staying in the same major. Parents, you need to be more focused on what will make your kid happy rather than how much money they will make in the future. And for the kids, when picking a school, make sure you like almost everything about the school. If you're not sure you want to go to a school don't go. You should either love the campus and atmosphere and attend that college/university or not. The fact that you are excited will help you to have a good experience. These are the things I believe will help parents and students find the right college and make the most of the college experience.

Even if you find a college you like immediatly keep looking. You may find one that you like more and apply to multiple places- don't just base it on how much a school costs. Many private schools may be more expensive but they also give larger financial aid packages. Find the one that you enjoy the most and visit it again on a private tour. I found the university i am attending to have older buildings and not as visually appealing at first sight but the quality of education and the teachers willingness to help are above and beyond, so make sure you look beyond first impressions. Many schools will offer help for freshman to meet people, an example being where i am attending they have a "first year experience" program where you meet people and they place you in the same classes and similar housing. Programs such as this make it much easier and less stressful to make friends and are a good thing to join if possible. Finally, enjoy your college experience and make it memorable. Find a healthy balance of study/friend time because both are equally important parts of a great college experience.

I would say look for a program that when you walk into the department, you feel comfortable. Also, be friendly with people, even if you share completely different views, they could always turn out to be a great friend.

Some people feel comfortable in large universities with vast student populations. Others, are at home among a small school where they can feel at home with a smaller community of students. To make this decision is entirely personal, both are great choices. If a student is involved in activities in the larger school it is easier for him or her to meet people than if not involved in anything. Smaller schools allow people to become acquainted more easily outside the classroom or activities office. In both situations it is still a great idea to be involved somehow. Whatever a persons interests are it is almost guarenteed that there is something that will fit naturally. Honestly, to be successful, I recommend actually studying. It may be a new concept but if any idea of success is being fostered, it may help. Also, to parents, while your child is in college is when they are growing up. It will be easiest on the relationship to keep this in mind and try your hardest not to treat them the same way you did in middle school. :D

Finding the right college helps you a lot to adjusting to your future. You want a college where you feel completely comfortable and yourself. Somewhere that will fulfill your own desires and needs. You want somewhere that offers your interests and your major. You also want a college that is within budget. Getting an education is very important but cheaper schools are just as good as private ones. One that you know will get you through with your desired degree without killing your wallet too much. You also want a school that fits you. The people, the town and the surroundings are you. A location you like and maybe somewhere that is close to home but far enough away to feel on your own now. Making the most out of your college experience would be to get involved. Get out and meet new people. Don't be shy. Go to your classes! You are paying for them! Pay attention and take good notes and study hard. Don't slack but still know how to have a good time. Enjoy it while you can!!

I would say that you need to go to the college that will best fit both your personality and your dream job. You have to be able to persure your passion and be comfertable in your surroundings. But most of all, go to a certain school because that is where you want to go, not where your parents want you to go, or your best friend is going there and you want to room with them because that has been your dream since you were little kids. You need to go to a certain school because that is where your life will start its new beggining, and it is now all in your hands for the first time. This is yuour chance to take control of your own life.

I honestly chose to attend the University of South Dakota because it was close to home and affordable. It is 30 miles from my hometown, and I of course get in state tuition. What I learned when I started attending classes and living there, however, is that the experience you have in college can make or break your outlook on the future. Luckily I love my choice of school, but I recommend that students actively research not just the academic side of prospective schools, but the actual "real life" side of them also. Too many students choose to attend a school for the same reasons I did, but unfortunately end up not liking the experience. Students should find a school that truly fits them, and then try to meet as many new people as possible. That is what I did right away, and I'm still thankful for it. I still talk to people that I met freshman year today in classes and on campus, and I can honestly say I love my school and my college experience.

Make sure you visit the school. I have heard so many stories from my friends like " I should have picked another school". Picking a school is probbaly one of the biggest decsions of your life. However, you make the school. South Dakota sounds so random but I'm the type of person that can be successfull in any situation. I never visted my school just jump on a plane and went...not gonna lie tho that first week I was like what have I done but now I'm gonna be a junior, im activly involved currently in Sigma Nu, I'm a Student Government Senator and I love it simply love it.

My advice to parents and future college students in finding the perfect college would be to go on numerous campus visits, even to colleges you aren't interested in. Get a feel of what each college offers and what you like or dislike about each one. Also ask the future student how distant they want to become from home. This will be a huge deciding factor on the location of the college they will choose. To make the best of the college experience you can not be afraid to be yourself. If you pretended to be someone in high school, you no longer have to because you are starting fresh, so ebrace the opprotunity to become the person you want to be. Also GET INVOLVED! Getting involved not only arrises opprotunities but it also allows you to meet a lot of diverse people. Finally, do stuff that you normally wouldn't find yourself doing. You'll be suprised at the joy you find in spontineity. Most importantly...you're only young once so make the most of it and enjoy life!

Visit a campus and choose the college where you feel immediately comfortable with the people (students, professors, staff). The people you are around can make or break your college experience regardless of the programs available and the academic reputation of the institution.

I really encourage all students to go tour as many schools as possible-the school that feels the most like "home" to you will be the best for you. Do your research, talk to students on the campus, know your facts. Getting a good education and having a good college experience is more than just the school-or academics, its where you feel comfortable and where you think you can be happiest and most involved College is the BEST time of your life-why waste it somewhere where you're not happy and a college education is more than classes, books, and papers--its a real world experience, its the opportunities you have presented to you and made avalable to you--and then taking advantage of them! so know where you want to go, go where you feel comfortalbe, and make the most of the best 4 years (or more) of your life!

The most important thing to do when choosing a college is to visit the campus. Nothing else is as helpful because the visit allows you to get the feel of the college and all of its components. When a student visits the college campus, they need to talk with current students, meet with a faculty member from their academic interest, and of course, get a tour of the campus. To make the most of the college experience, I would first tell the student to not go home in at least the first month of school; they need to create their own routine and learn to go outside of their comfort zone and make new friends. Students need to also make sure that they do not hole themselves up in their dorm room. Enjoy the first few days of school without classes: take part in the orientation events, (even as dorky as they may seem), meet new people, and just have fun. New students need to remember the college experience is what you make of it and that after a few weeks, it will be hard to imagine not every being in college!

Choose a school that has many options for a major, so if you change you mind about what you would like to do, you don't have to change your school. Be ready for the culture shock that might occur if you pick a school drastically smaller of larger than your hometown.

I would advise students looking at college to look equally at academic and social programs at their potential schools. I am glad that I attended a University with a quality educational system that awarded me with a Bachelors degree that I feel confident displaying. That being said, higher education offers a social catalyst unique to living the fully immersed college life. Finding this balance is important to ensuring that you will make the most of your college career. It would be wise for students to come into their college of choice with an understanding of what they are willing to compromise. For example, it may be necessary to compromise that whim-of-a-major that you chose because it sounds cool. There are some things that should not be compromised, though. It can be easy to get caught up in the ?college dream? thinking that when you go to college you should lead a certain path in order to become the stereotypical college kid. Unfortunately, this doesn?t always promise a life of progress?just a life of progressing with the crowd. Know your morals, your absolutes, and allow the experience as a whole to refine the rest of you.

go with what feels comfortable... don't decided on who will give you the most money

Get involved with on campus activites, and when it comes to picking out the right college make sure to ask questions when you are on campus for a visit.

Go somewhere where you know you'll be comfortable. You won't like it if it's not you. Also, try to get really involved on campus and meet new people. I'm personally in a sorority, and I wouldn't have half the friends I do now if I hadn't joined. That also helped me come out of my shell and it forced me to get to know more people, which became some of my best friends. Joining groups on campus gives you better scholorship opportunities also, so you would want to apply for all of those that you can. One thing you don't want to have to worry about is paying for school while you're studying and trying to maintain a good GPA. Along the lines of GPA, study hard your freshman year! How you do your freshman year effects the rest of your college career. Once your GPA drops it's hard to raise it again. So my best words of advice are have fun and study hard, since that's what you're there to do anyway!

My first advice is to visit the college campus before deciding. For me, I found that I knew right away after a tour, if that college was for me. Make sure you have thought about what you are looking for in a college, such as wanting a large library to tuition, because these points can help break a tie between colleges. Try not to be stressed about getting every dorm item before school, because like many college experiences, you won't know what is necessary until you are there! Same goes with joining clubs, take your time figuring out your classes work load before you jump into extra activities. There is plenty of opportunity to join clubs all throughout the year. Finally, if you are living on campus, try to get along with your roommate because for me haveing a strong bond really helps when it comes to studying or doing campus activities.

The most I can say is not matter where you go have fun and make the best out of wherever you decide to go. Make friends, join as much as you can, and be friendly. Having fun is the one of the most important things but also make sure that you find a place where you will be able to study and focus on what your going to school for. When you choose a school choose the one that fits you just right or you'll regret it.

You do not have to go to college knowing what you want to be. Test out the waters at a school and figure it out from there.

The key to finding the right college for you is feeling just a little out of place. You do not want somewhere that is completely out of place for you, but somewhere that can push you to be more than you already were. College is about learning and growing, not just in your future career but in your personality. If you go to a college where you know a large number of people in a city you know, you are not giving yourself much room to grow. When you are forced to meet new people and to explore new places, though, you find yourself start to grow very quickly.

You should look for a college that accuratly reflects your personality. If you aren't happy with something at the school chances are living there isn't going to make it any better. Also look for schools that have the best programs for what you are considering as majors. Attending a good program can put you ahead when looking for a career. You should also look for a school that isn't going to kill your pocket book. Going to college is going to hurt it but you dont want to be in debt for the rest of you life so be sure to go some place that isnt too expensive. Also look to see what schools are going to offer the best financial aid packets; even the smallest amount can help. Check the student to faculty ratio too. If you need help the better the student ratio is the more likely you are going to get better help. Plus this usually means smaller class sizes which is always a plus. The most important advice I can offer is to pick some place that will make you happy. If you are happy then you are more likely to succeed.

Go where you feel comfortable, not where you are going to get the most financial aid. You can always pay back students loans, but you can't get back the feeling of fitting in and loving a school. Make sure the school has the programs you want and emphasizes the areas that you are interested in. Talk to students on the campus. If you can try to talk to ones that are not in charge of bragging up the school and giving tours, because those are the students that will tell you the truth. When you think about transferring, wait it out at least a semester. Weigh what really makes you want to leave, because the academics will be hard anywhere. The professors and your friends are the things that you may or may not want to replace. Remember to find support from those that know you best, family and friends, and keep on trucking even when you feel you have too much to do. You'll get it done!

I would tell students to be realistic and choose a college where they would be comfortable instead of going to a place that might offer a prestigious degree but wouldn't allow them to be able themselves. But they must be willing to work hard and get involved in many things to get into a good graduate program, or just obtain a quality education. They have to plan ahead and work with their advisors so that they don't miss a deadline for applying for scholarships or register for the wrong courses. I think it is especially good if students can find an instructor who takes personal interest in them. I would never have received a scholarship if I hadn't got to know one of my history professors well and he hadn't nominated my paper for the scholarship. Getting to know people in your intended area of study is invaluable in the professional field, and I think it is best to start forming connections early on your academic carreer. Finally, I would tell students to always keep their final goals in sight, but not forget the daily goals of writing papers, reading books, etc.

Determine before college what you believe is important. Then keep focused on your goals but look at your future with an open mind because you will learn so much! Parents give your children room to breathe but be there for them when they need you...which will be often.

Find the place that is right for YOU! Do not base your decision on friends, relatives, or other outside pressures. Choose the place that feels right to you in your heart and that you can feel comfortable with. College really is a once in a lifetime experience and you just need to be yourself, get involved, meet as many people as you can, study and workhard, have fun, and enjoy it without any regrets.

Do what feels right.

There's a lot to say when it comes to finding the right college and making the most of time you've got. More than anything, I think it is important for parent's to just be supportive in the most general sense of the word. Just be proud of what your children are trying to do. They are about to take a big leap into the unknown. Also, college is not for everyone, so please try to respect that decision as well. Potential students, it's very important for you to stay open-minded. Remember that we seldom get things right the first time, and each time this occurs we learn invaluable life lesson. For example, most of us freak out when selecting a college to apply to or attend. We want it to be that "right" or "perfect" college. Well, after three years in college I can tell you that that doesn't exist. My university is by no means "perfect", but I've made lifelong friends, I'm traveling to Europe with my school, and my self-esteem is at an all-time high. This being said, imperfections can be beautiful things. Have fun and be yourself.

The size of the school you want to attend is very important when it comes to your success in school. If you go to a school that is too big you might begin to feel lost in the crowd and depressed. A school that is too small could have you feeling secluded. Figure out how you learn best and what you're comfortable with and base your decision on that. Remember, college is about learning, but you have to be happy with your life to be truly successful.

Get involved!!!!!!!! Ask lots of questions about all aspect of the university when you are looking around. Smaller class sizes are generally better, because there is a better chance of one-on-one learning. For those that have selected a school, the more involved in activities, the more you will get out of college. College is what you make of it, so I say get involved and get your monies worth out of the school. It is easier to make friends the more involved you are because you are in place with others that share the same interests. It makes the high school/college adjustment so much smoother knowing you are not the only one having to go through it. Good Luck and always look on the bright side of life!!!

Selecting the right college is a difficult thing. I would suggest examining what is important to yourself or child; family being close by to visit on weekends, friends, acedemics, sports, clubs or relationships. Then based on what is the most important go by that. Don't go to a school based solely on one of your top priorities but of the combination of them. Also, make sure the college you choose has your major AND second choice, minds change a lot during the school year. Most importantly choose the school where you think you will make the most fond memories and where you or your child with excel in all aspects of life.

You never know for sure until you're already enrolld but. . .go vist, get orientated and take the tour! Find a college with good facilities, especially in your area of interest. Ask LOTS of questions and get your guide's opinions . If you have the opportunity, go and talk to professors; they?re the reason you?re going to college after all. After you pick a college or university the next step will be making the most of the experience. My advice to freshmen is, ?Don?t forget to study," have fun with friends later. Procrastination skills need not be honed too early in the college career. Make sure you?re getting what you pay for first, you?ll be glad you did. Then, after studying up a storm, don?t forget to leave your dorm room door open. This is your free ticket to making friends. Other than that, just be friendly and be yourself. As for classroom etiquette, don?t be afraid to ask questions. On the flip side of the inquisitive-student-coin, don?t badger the teacher while they?re trying to teach; use the professor?s office hours. Lastly, have fun!

The first piece of advice I would give to parents and students goes against the grain of what all college recruiters tell incoming students: do NOT begin the college years undecided. I wasted an entire year of my life and tuition money taking generals that were not necessarily needed for the major I eventually chose. I would also advise students to be 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} sure they want to go the distance from home that they are going. My first college was six hours away from home and it was hard at times for me to not be with my friends and family back home. The third piece of advice I would share is a common piece, yet essential: get involved! This is the perfect way to meet friends and gain contacts for endeavors later in life. And last but not least, the best job I have ever had - so far - was my job working the desk in a residence hall. I would advise anyone looking for an on-campus job to look to the residence halls. I interacted with students, made friends for life, and got paid to do my homework.