University of South Florida-Main Campus Top Questions

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

Nickell

Finding the right college can be difficult if one is uncertain of their own interests. That is why it is essential to choose a college depending on its location, social influences, and academics. Colleges are built in a variety of locations: suburban, metropolitan, and countryside areas. The student must determine which environment will suit them best. Ask yourself a series of questions like: would you rather enjoy a fast-paced and entertaining city or a calm and peaceful suburban area. Try organizing a ?pros and cons? list. This will help you point out the negative and positive aspects of those places. Social factors to consider include campus organizations, fraternities and sororities, sports, etc. College isn?t all work and no play, therefore exploring socializing options may greatly affect your college experience. Last, but not least is academics. Finding a degree program that fits your career choice is the most important decision of them all. Researching programs at various schools will help you determine which program will assist you the most in reaching your goals. Moreover, every college is unique in its own way and it is up to the student to decide which will aid them with the most success.

Sadique

They always told me that I had to find a pace that I felt good in. They also told me that when that place came, I would know and I fell that with USF. Its a wonderful school school and I'm very happy there.

Julie

I would tell parents and tudent to make sure that you work hard and pic the school that you are most comfortable with and you know you will get your work done. Make sure you write a list of all the positives and negatives about each school before you choose one. Don't forget to stay focused and positive.

MERCEDEZ

I would encourage parents/students to visit the campuses they are interested while still in high school and ask as many questions as needed to determine if that is the college they would like to attend for the next four years. I would suggest talking with students and falculty at the college to get a better undestanding at how that school values education and social networking. The key for finding the right college is doing your research and making sure the pro's of attending that institution outweigh the con's. As for making the most of the college experience, I suggest having school spirit and most importantly getting invovled. The experience does not originate from studying all day in your room. I strongly encourage incoming students to find a balance between their studies and their social life. Time management is the key factor for making the most of the college experience. Take advantage of the free tutoring, free food, service opportunites, and fun events that your school has to offer. In addition, do not be afraid to introduce yourself to other students and instructors. Embrace everything your school has to offer and be grateful to receive a college education.

Heather

Weigh all of the options when considering colleges. Choose the college that is best for your situation and ultimately makes you happy. As far as the "college experience" -- it is entirely what you make of it. You can be a secluded bookworm, a fratboy, or any other stereotypical college kid. Or, you can be what you want to be. My advice is to (1) get up, (2) go to class, (3) do your work, (4) do your best, (5) make friends, and (6) find an extracurricular activity. Determine if academics or social life is the biggest priority and go from there. College is entirely what you make of it -- no one can make or break your experience but you. Know that you'll make mistakes, but be aware that you have the ability to learn from them and change your actions, and with that yourself. Make of that, and of college, what you will.

Brittany

When looking for the right college, the main thing to focus on is the atmosphere and the environment of the campus, both academics and athletics. Academics because you are paying for an education. Athletics because sportshelp promote school spirit and the more school spirit there is, the better the learning environment and the more enjoyable it is to attend the school. More spirit equals more motivation.

Michael

Parents: The best advice I could give you is to be just as open minded as you can be. This time of picking a college should a fun time. If you put to much pressure on your kid he/she is likly to conform to what you want them to do but in the end will not enjoy it at all and will have to spend alot of time and money moving to a new school that he/she does enjoy. Students: It is very important that you take your time and pick the right place for you. This means not picking a college jsut becuase all of your friends are going there. As you might end up hating it. Dont be affrid to be the student that goes out on his/her own. Everyone is going through the same thing that you are and want to make new friends just as much as you do. So by picking a college that none of your friends are going does not mean that you will end up with no friends. Make sure that the college you pick has a good program in your college. Last fill out all of your papers!

Sara

The best advice I can give is to throughly research the school you want to attend and to make an effort to get involved with extraculriculars once there.

Gabrielle

I would advise parents to think financial and find a school that fits your budget.An undergad degree isn't worth being in debt.Law school,Graduate studies,and Medical school are a time for that.Make the most of your money and your resources if there's a school locally.

Katie

I would advise parents and students to visit the campus more than once. I would tell them to take the tour, but also to walk around on their own and talk to actual students. Learn about the school from the students who aren't paid to talk good about it. For making the most of the experience, I would say find your niche. Find a group of people who you enjoy to be around. A strong group of friends is key to enjoying life on campus because you will always have someone to hang out with.

Renato

Finding the right college isn't as important as being dedicated to do well in college. The most important thing is to stay focused and not get caught up in the image of the "college life" which portrays over-partying. Start strong and never get delayed. It's important to start off doing well in college.

Caitlyn

The best advice I can give anyone in search of the perfect college is to vist the school! Any school can look perfect online, but you cannot truly feel the campus vibe until you are actually on the campus. Being comfortable on your school's campus (your future home) is extremely important and can only be determined by visiting the school, touring the campus and talking to students. I believe being comfortable on campus is even more important than declaring a major. You cannot attend a school because you hoped it would be something it is not. You must attend a school where you feel comfortable and safe yet challenged because that is where you will succeed at your highest potential.

Nathaniel

The college experience is truly one unlike any other. You can fill yourself with worries and anxiety, of wondering if you will fit in, if you can afford it and a whole multitude of emotions. But really that is not what it comes down to at all. You are who you are as an indivual and we waste so much of our lives antagonizing over the details instead of living the experience. I speak almost with a side of hypocrisy in admitting I went through the same emotions especially worrying about money and job placement (or my ability to get into a good graduate school) but all that is not the essence of experience. Visiting the campus and knowing that your family is behind you in any endeavor means far more than the physical things you will carry away. No matter how hard colleges try to dress it up the experience is all your own. One last mention for the parents is that your child will change their mind and their hearts about what they want from life and how college will affect that and all I can petition you is to build them up with love and support.

Brittany

Be confident. When one goes to college there is nothing for anyone to judge one on but.... oneself. Going away to college is a way for the world to judge you on YOU, and not your past, your friends, your family. YOU have to be the one to make yourself who you want to be. Like everyone always said, "Confidence is key." And for Mom and Dad, let your babies go. It's time. Growing up is something we all have to do so at some point we'll be reading a message such as my own, making me feel better about letting MY kids go. Good luck.

Bradley

Make sure to find a college that will best suit your own academic and social needs, and not the needs of others.

Melina

After completing my first year as a freshman at the Univeristy of South Florida, I think back prior to arriving there and the process it took to get there. One of the most important things I advise parents and students is to truly take a tour of each university, discover what majors are available and what is required of them, speak with an educational as well as a financial advisor. Once a student is there, it is a one way ticket road to a different point in their life. One learns something new about the college as well as themselves every day of their collegiate experience. Always remember to organize your time and make time for your classes because there will always be time for a social life, no matter what.

Deena

My advice to parents and students looking for colleges is to find a school that is right for you. Don't try to base a decision off of where your friends are going. More than likely, you will feel that you picked the school because of your friends and not necessarily for your preferences. College is a time for you to have fun but it is also there to provide a decent education for you. Therefore, it is vital to make a decision that will have a better impact for your future . It is also important to take a campus tour and to find out what academic programs stand out. It is necessary that you really take the time to list pros and cons of various schools because it truly allows you to figure out what the best school would be for you.

Tameka

Just make sure the university a student chooses is their own choice and not what their parents want

ashley

I would advise them to research the school thoroughly. Find out what makes that school the best choice. Try to decide what your career goals you have and pick a school that focuses on whatever career you wish to pursue. Make sure to have fun but don't ever let it come before your education. Stay in tune with your academic advisor so they can help you with class selections and career tips. Go to the school games...they're usually apart of your tuition so why not take advantage of it? They're fun! And you get to meet a lot of people you probably never even saw at school. Try to intern at a few companies before you graduate. This will look awesome on your resume and will also give you some hands-on experience that you can't get from the text book. With all of the valuable information I learned in class, it was nothing compared to what I learned interning, and that was only a couple semesters. Internships will also give you an indication on whether you really want to pursue whatever line of work you have chosen.

Peter

You can never plan too early and you especially don't want to be scrambling for a plan during crunch time senior year. Take time to thoroughly look at school websites and go out to the university and walk around, ask questions and get a feel for it. When you've finally found somewhere that suits you and you've been accepted, orientation will probably offer a lot of activities that are available on campus.

Stephanie

The college I attend is perfect for my goal of becoming a special education teacher, even though it was not my first pick. I was bummed when I did not get into my first choice, but after doing more research on my "fallback school," I quickly realized it was definitely the right school for me. It is important for people trying to figure out which school they're going to attend to do some research on the school. The school may be number one or two in the country for Nursing, but that may not be the career you want to go into. Once a person gets into a college, it might be a difficult transition to make. It's hard to adjust to such a new experience. Meeting as many people as possible is helpful in the transition from high school to college. Even though a person looks a certain way, they could be someone with whom you will have a good relationship with, whether it be friendship or more. Getting involved in school activities will definitely help with making long term friends.

Gary

Every useful bit of knowledge a student learnes, be it acedemic or life-related, is made through experience. The student needs to motivate themselves and go out there and find a college that is right for them. Unmotivated? you need make mistakes and learn what it's like to lose. I did, and i've never been so satisfied and goal oriented.

Jean

Look for a school that matches your personally and your ambitions..

Amber

It is important to go to college when you are ready to focus on your eduction. Sometimes, that means waiting a year, sometimes that means diving in before life can get in the way. Pick a college environment that will help you stay focused. If you know that you are easily tempted by parties and social events, you may want to pick a smaller college and/or live off campus so that you can be disciplined. It is so much easier to go through college once than to start, stop, and go back.

Johanna

Let your child pick where they want to go, this is a decision they will think about for the rest of their life. Do your research and write down your academic priorities. The school you choose needs to be known for the degree you are seeking. You don't want to go to a school because of the beach, but because of the opportunities you will get from going to school there. Enjoy it to the fullest, college is a passing experience that goes by quickly. Soak all of it in and learn as much you can. Make as many connections with professors as you can, you will need them later. Remember to always smile and be polite, you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.

Brooke

More than anything, go into your college experience with a good attitude. It truly is whatever you want to make of it. If you expect there to be nothing interesting to do, there won't be. If you have a positive attitue and know that you will make new friends and have fun no matter what, guess what? You will. I went to a communtiy college for my AA soley because I was offered a full scholarship. I moped around at first, feeling like I lost out. It got worse when I started on my Bachelors through a distance campus. I never lived off site, didn't have a meal plan, I felt like I cheated. I wasn't even proud of my degree. My attitude was horrible and it effected my experience. My attitude now is much improved for my masters program. I just wish I'd fixed that sooner.

Melanie

My advice to parents and students would be to visit as many campuses as you are able to because this will allow you to compare them and make your best decision. Don't just make a decision based on money, yes it is a key factor, but the results may not show to brightly within your childs life. They may dislike the school or the area that it is located in, and they will not excede in the classroom. Students, as much as you may love your parents and hometown, try not to go home every weekend. Hanging around and getting to know your colleages will create many more opportunities to broaden and enjoy your our college experience. Majority of the people I have known who go home frequently eventually transfer before they graduate. When you get older, you want to be able to look back on your college years and recall your good and bad experiences that made you into a better person. Not the how many miles you put on your car or gas wasted to go home every weekend.

Patrick

Finding the right college involves numerous factors, the most important being education and location. You must find a school that will challenge you to learn, as well as give you help along the way. In my experience location was key, as I was far enough from home to have to move out, yet close enough that I could visit more often than just Christmas, Spring, and Summer breaks.

Jessica

FInd somewhere that you are comfortable. Consider living at home if it is an option to save money. Also, visit the campus while classes are in session and during the sports season that is biggest at the school. Then visit the campus during the slowest time and get an idea if you think you would be okay with both ways.

Stefanie

Visit the campus before making a decision. Its important that you enjoy the campus in general because you spend alot of time on there. Review the department or college program you are interested in. Make sure it has something to offer, reputation wise. And talk to students at the college to get a better idea of what the college attitude is and what kind of people go there.

Craig

My advice to all of you students who are trying to pick the right college is to do a LOT of reasearch while in high school to figure out which schools you are interested in. Once you have a list it is best to visit as many schools as possible because whichever one you end up going to will be your home for the next four years. Every campus is different and they all have different vibes. Only you can decide which one makes you feel comfortable. When you begin attending your university, get involved! Get out and meet people. Living in a dorm your freshman year is a great way to do this. You should attend as many sporting events as possible also because school spirit is important. For those of you who are parents, my advice to you is to encourage your sons/daughters to study something they enjoy and try to find a field in that area. Under no circumstance should you ever try to make your son/daughter go to the same school you yourself went to or try to make them get the same degree. The college-choosing process should be unbiased on your end.

Dory

My advice would be to take advantage of any college that offers you the most as a student. Also take time think about what you really want to do with your life for your life experiences determine your outcome.

Melissa

Tour the college. One of my high school teachers told me you can learn a lot about the school from the atmosphere as you walk across campus. If the scenery isn't what you like, keep looking. If people aren't helpful, find a school where the people are more open. I didn't really believe her so I only toured two of the six colleges I applied. Luckily, I had to attend two of the schools I didn't tour to audition for the school of music (my major is music education). The first school I auditioned at was pretty but a little more "uppidy" than I wanted to go to. Besides, it was private so tuition was really expensive. When I sat in on the band, no one seemed to take the music seriously and I knew then I didn't want to attend there. The second school was beautiful. The campus was full of trees and grass and fountains. The people were very helpful as well. It helped my audition go better just because I liked the school atmosphere. Now that I'm here, I love it!

Marina

I think that students should definitely look for a good college that is affordable, and most importantly not too far from home. There will a lot of support needed from family during college, and I personally know that if I lived more then a few hours away from my family, I would of had a much harder college experience.

Ellen

Tour the school. Spend a week there before you make a decision. Don't trust everything the tour guides say. Go with your first choice, because your second choice will probably suck.

Victor

There is much to see in the University of South Florida. Some might beg to differ, but that is mainly because they do not put forth the effort to search for activities around campus. In reality, there are quite a handful of student-related events that are taking place in campus almost on a daily basis. To better experience one's college experience, one must get involved in as many activities and clubs as possible. Going to parties is not the only way to make friends while in college. Employing oneself in college or being involved in extra-curricular activities are also good ways to meet new people, as well as joining volunteer work both on and off campus. Having close communication with one's professors and educators is also another way to make the most of your college experience. Many tend to be intimidated of their professors when, in reality, they are the people that can help you when you need it most. Seeking help from them during their office hours or after class is a great way to not only get to know them, but to get the right help that you need.

Mark

Always check out the college before you go and be able to make friends quickly and college becomes a lot more fun.

Jeff

Make sure you visit lots of colleges before choosing one.

Nicole

That to do what you want when it comes to being involved in the school and make sure that the school has the major you want

Joenique

Research! Write down what career choices you have i.e. physial therapist, journalist, business. Some schools have a limited amount of majars to choose from and if you are at a school where you do not have any options you might find yourself left to something close to what you need to graduate with and not the actual major. Other things to consider are the alumni network, diversity of the campus, and location. Yoiu want to know that once you graduate you can go to the career center or professor and see about interships or jobs for the future. Diversity can basically influence your class setting, different clubs/organizations offered and overall who you will get to interact with. Location is also a factor because you want to move from a hot and humid climate to a dry and freezing climate, if that at all will bother the student. My last advice would be to live on campus for at least a year. It will give the student an opportuity to experience life on their own in a sense but have the support of new friends. The people you meet in your residence halls will possibly be friends for life!

Nicole

Go somewhere where you feel comfortable! Something about a school should jump out at you right away! Also, MOVE AWAY FROM HOME!!! It is what completes the college experience! Living on your own, becoming responsible and growing up! I stayed close to home and chose to continue living there and I definitely regret it. College only happens once so enjoy every bit of it and take as much away from the experience as you possibly can!

Lauren

I would recommend researching every aspect of the college experience and picking the school that fulfills the majority of what you hoped college would be. Don't pick a school just because you know someone there or because you like the football team, pick it because you think you will enjoy it. Once you're there work hard and get involved!

Melissa

Do your homework be sure pay close attention to finanical aid requirements, research part-time job opportunities, and get involved on campus! Don't be too worried about "letting go", there will be plenty of people ready to assist your child with every thing they may need!

Kelly

Don't be afraid to leave home, go for it!

Desiree

Look at what the college has to offer in your field of interest, make an effort to meet people and make friends, and borrow as little money as possible>

Ruth

Consider the cost, be true in faith that you'll succeed no matter what, and be ready to make sacrifices. God Bless!

Dexter

Apply every where, research all possibilities, become involved with organizations.

Christopher

The best thing you can do to find the college that is right for you is to spend some time on campus and see how busy the campus is. Find out if there are groups, clubs, and otherwise which focous on your particular interests. Determine if you are a greek kind of person and find out if there is there is decent greek life associated with the school. Most of all, find a school which can provide the classes you need, when you need them, with a name that is recognised in feild.

Cassandra

If I gave advice, I would say to check the variety of majors. Students change their minds often during college and it is always a good thing to be able to change it rather than be stuck with something you do not want to do. Everyone should be able to have a job they enjoy. If the college they choose has multiple options, it gives the student this chance.

Hieu

Make sure you are commited to attending all classes all the time. Location is key to success, if you like being on campus then you are more likely to go to classes.