Western Kentucky University Top Questions

When it comes to advice that I would give to students about finding the right college, the first thing I would say is to figure out what's doable for them. I mean that both socially and financially; yes, it's good to take risks and place yourself in a more outgoing and somewhat uncomfortable situation, but don't jump too far too fast. Try to make a tie with someone else attending beforehand; technology and social networks can make this a lot easier. Financially, although you should want to attend the best college you possibly can, think about what you're paying for. A lot of times you're paying for the name or prestige of a certain university...unless a college has a particularly bad reputation, most are generally the same and offer a quality education and a good environement. As for parents, don't think that you're losing your child forever when they leave for college. In the long run, students are on breaks for a good deal of time during and between semesters, so you will still see them. All in all, college shouldn't be very scary or daunting for anyone, parents or students.

I found that it worked best to look into every aspect of a school. This prevents any unwanted surprises on orientation day. Simply my looking closer at some possible choices, I was able to eliminate some that weren't for me. Once you discover the college or university that is right for you, give it your all. I have found that getting involved in as many things as possible has made my college experience significantly rewarding.

Public universities or colleges are a better experience than private secondary education institution.

In order to find the right college, it is important that the student weighs the pros and cons with parental influence, but not so much that it becomes the parents' choice. Majors offered, financial packages, campus atmosphere, location, degree requirements, and friends are some of the more pivotal factors that go into choosing the right college and must be equally weighed. Parents should be keen to listening to their child and not pushing their alma mater on them if that is not where their passion is. In order to get the most out of the college experience, the student should try to step outside of their comfort zone. Hands down it will foster the most maturity and funt times This is a critical stepping stone in personal and social growth that will lead to the student down a path of diversity, self-discovery, probing intellectual curiosity, and advancement toward their career goal. Along the way, they will meet friends not always sharing a similar background, point of view, or political standpoint so instead of being exposed to a "tunnel vision" college, the student will experience a broad, well-rounded education and experience, utilizing the most of their collegiate experience.

My advice that I would give the student would be if the student is new to get involved. Thats one of the ways to make lifetime friends. I rememeber before I got a job on campus whenever I was done with classes I didn't kno anyone so I would always go back to my room and that is not an idea I suggest get out and meet new people. You you could get a mentor for your first semester and that person helps you get more involved inviting you to more groups to meet new people which helped me TREMENDOUSLY! I loved my mentor!! For freshman only go to master plan, its where you go to school a week eary and meet other freshman which is very helpful and they also show you around the school so you wont be lost the first day. Also, If you think you can manage a job an do classes you can have a job on campus which is a plus because depending on where you work you see different and all kinds of people everyday. I hope this will help you by making the most out of your college experience. GOOD LUCK!

Follow your heart.

Do not just look at one college. It is important to see what is out there and explore your options. Just because you may like one university doesn't mean it is the BEST fit for you.

Visit the schools. A school may have everything one is looking for but when one visits the school and walks around the campus that when one can choose the right school. There is a feeling one gets when they are in the right spot and they know they can be there for a lifetime.

Advice i would give is that make sure that you are financially able to go to a college or university of your choice and when go to college don't waste your money make sure you make the best of it . Also don't be afraid of making new friends, you would be amazed how different people are the same.

No matter what college you choose to attend, there will be ups and there will be downs -- whether it's the food or housing. Choose the place that best suites you and your interests. Don't feel pressured to go somewhere because your best friend is going there, because college is the place where you find the people that are truly going to challenge you and make you a better person. Don't let school get in the way of your education. But be realistic... your dream college/university probably has the same things offered as the one that's cheaper. Start early on the looking process and have an idea of what you're looking for in a college around your Junior year of high school. But don't freak out! It'll be okay! Stay calm and make the best decision for you.

Make sure you take the time to check out several different colleges. Once you spend a day on a campus, you have a good idea whether or not you'd feel comfortable on it everyday. Once you start college, remember that you get what you make of it. Be involved! Campuses offer so many activities to attend. Visit the schools website and attend those activities so that you can make new friends and become a part of the community that is formed on your campus. College is hard. The school work is tough, but moving out on your own is scary! Make sure to hang in there. Don't give up just because you get home sick the first week. Instead of going home because you are home sick, go to an activity or to the diner, or the room next to you in your dorm, and get to know the students around you! Most of your peers are experiencing the same feelings you are, so get out there and make friends!

College is unlike anything that most teenagers have ever experienced. Often they are away from home for the first time on their own, experiencing life and all it has to offer. Finding the right college is essential to being happy while away from everything that is familiar to you. It is important to investigate the colleges you are applying to. What is the enrollment volume? How big are classes? Does the college offer a good program in your desired major? It is also a great idea to take a tour of the campus. Some college campus' are in the city, others in more rural towns. Some are covered in concrete and others are green with landscaping throughout. You'll have to see the campus to decide which fits you best. To make the most of your college experience get involved! Universities often have clubs dedicated to every hobby and career imaginable so get out there and get involved in a few. This is the best way to get to know people at the beginning of the semester. Whether you want to go Greek, or join an intramural or club sports team, it will group you with people with similar interests!

The college years are very important as far as making connections and finding out what you want to do with the rest of your life, so don't settle! Make sure the school you decide on has the right kinds of programs, the right size campus and the right number of students. There are certain aspects where you will have to compromise, but don't bend too far. If you feel you want to go to a big school, but the small school is cheaper and still has the programs you need you will be tempted, but having the right number of people on campus is much more important than it seems at first. If you are the kind of person who likes to connect to a lot of unique individuals, a large student body is really important. Some small colleges can have diversity, but there are also many that really lack a diverse student body. College is a time to make connections and start networking, don't limit your options!

Allow your child to make his/her own decision about where they want to go. Go to each campus and have a look for yourself to get a feel for what environment best suites you. Also, your first choice may not always be the best choice, so be open to changing schools until you feel most comfortable. Lastly, try to live on campus or in your own apartment. This is a great way to ease out of the house and actually be on your own!

Be true to yourself.

To get the most out of your college experience I feel that it's very important to carefully choose your college. Personally, my dream is to eventually attend an art school and recieve a Bachelor's degree there. One of my professors once told me to "go all the way" and not to "settle" for something mediocre. I think that was probably some of the best advice given to me. He told me to try as hard as I can to earn the money I needed to go to a good school. I believe that as hard as I've worked since then has definitely paid off, but I also always keep in mind that being relaxed and focusing on my social life is the only way I'll stay sane. Stressing over school 24/7 leads to lower grades and headaches. I take the time I need for my personal artwork and relationships as well. I believe that during college people begin to know themselves better. Confidence in yourself is impossible to achieve with your head in the books all of the time. You have to have all of the ingredients to make the best of your college career.

Find a school that is strong in your major. Try to lock in on the RIGHT major before starting school. Do this by taking classes in high school that let you know if the major is right, or not. Work hard, because re-taking a class to imporve your grade is just a waste of time. Do it right the first time.

Allow your child to go where he/she wants to go without any bias opinions. Every school parties and thats just part of it, so allow your child to choose the right college according to their major of interest.

Go with what you think will allow you to do what YOU want to do.

First off: Pack duct tape - it will always come in handy. As for finding the right college, look into the college's "unofficial" history, along with the university's personal literature - look at back issues of the college's newspaper, publications from the town or city itself, and students' personal websites. This background information not only allows you a variety of information on the school, but allows you to get a feel for the student's perspective on particular events or moves made by the college that the official website may not feel it prudent to include. To make the most of your college experience, stay open to new people - it's no good living in a resident hall if you've always got your door closed. Make it a point to make friends with your neighbors - they're in the same boat you are, and can make your first year at college the most memorable. Be as prepared as you can, whether that means an endless supply of Raman noodles or the best first-aid kit in the building. Invariably, something will go wrong, and being prepared is the difference between misery and the time of your life.

I have some common advice to give to prospective students. When you go visit a college, be truthful to yourself. Ask yourself where you think you would fit in. Could you really see yourself in the classrooms, at the gym, in the dorms of that particular college? If the answer is 'yes' than that school is for you. Once you have narrowed it down to 2 or 3 schools, think about scholarship opportunities, distance, and the type of field you want to go into. There are many schools that could be right for you. You can't make a bad choice. After all, it is all a learning experience. Don't stress about it. Wherever you go, you will learn something that will lead you to the rest of your life. Wherever you go, you will have the opportunity to succeed.

My advice is if your child already knows what they would be interested in for a major then picking a school based off of that particular major would be a wise choice. Taking college tours is one of the most helpful descision makers out there. When you take a tour of a prospect school at the end you can almost tell whether or not you would picture yourself being there. As for making the most of your college experience joining organiziations that you are passionate about or getting out of your comfort zone to try new things and meet new people are very helpful ways to make the most out of the college years. There are thousands of people on a campus and by being open-minded it will be easy to make friends. You learn so much about your school when you attend different functions put on by different groups that it makes you more aware of what is actually on your campus. College is in fact what you make of it so although it can be difficult it can also be some of the most memorable years in your life.

I'd honestly say, "follow your heart." Speaking as a non-traditional student who finished a degree several years after high school, I frequently think about my first college experience and all of the advice I received from everyone around me. While they were all trying to be helpful, in the end, it was my own opinions I should have heeded above all the others. I chose a major that would secure me a job instead of what I really loved. I ended up dropping out and I put off school for several years because I just couldn't choose a field. Two years ago, I finally decided to return to college and ended up in the major I had thought about during my first years as a student. It really doesn't matter if you can get a job or if it makes your parents happy; if you aren't happy, then you won't enjoy your college experience and you won't get the full value of your education and college life.

The biggest advice I can give to students trying to pick a college is: do not follow your friends to school. It is important to understand that you will meet tons of new people in college, people that may become your new best friends for life. High school friends may not be your friends for life and going to a college just because they are is not a way to find out who you are and is not the best way to enjoy your college experience. I would completely recommend picking an atmosphere that is comfortable to you and matches your educational wantings. The University a student attends will be there home for about 8 months out of the year- pick somewhere that makes you feel at home, safe, comfortable, and most of all will bring out the best in you and your education. Parents, my advice is do not make your child pick a college close to home. They need to step out into the world and make something of themself on their own.

It's not always what you see in the movies. Every kid is different, so don't think it's all like the movies.

The advice that I would give to parents and students is to both research the schools their child is interested in attending. They should also take the time out to speak to reprensentives and students to get an idea of the school they will be attending and to makes sure it has the ammenties and things the student desires of the school. Another advice I would suggest is having a college fund or savings set aside for the student to help them through school. Again it would be good to research and look at all the prospects of financial aid, grants, and scholarships so that the students don't have to limit themselves into to having to take out loans. If the student has to take out loans, it's wise to speak to financial aides and ask many questions about the loan. How the student can make most of their college experience is to stay focus and study so that they do well in their classes. They should be actively involved with the school whether working or being part of a club. The last thing I would suggest is stay away from people who aren't focused and negative.

Finding the right college takes time and patience. Knowing who you are as a person will make the biggest difference in your college selection. I learned quickley that college is very different from high school. You must be secure in your beliefs and morals and be ready to stand on your own in a whole new world. Finding the right fit may take more than one visit to the same college as well. I would encourge students to talke with professors and students at the college as well. You will want to know the study life, and social life of the college. Most importantly, don't rush the decision, and listen to your parents. Although you are merging into adulthood, converse with them about their thoughts as well. Believe it or not, they know you pretty well.

Every student should go on as many college visits as possible and try to interact with other students to try to figure out which campus is best for them. They should think about cost, social life, extracurricular activities, and of course, academics.

Parents, you have to let your child begin to be their own person in highschool, so that they do not fall prone to certain social diseases in college, such as drinking and drugs. I know all too many students which have fallen prone to these, all because their parents were so overbearing in highschool, that the freedom of college was far too much for them. Students, you have to do well in highschool, to prepare for college. The curriculum is challenging, but is quite bearable if you study, and keep on top of your classes. Attendence is crucial to success in college; even if it seems that nothing is being accomplished in some classes, or class attendance is non-mandatory, if you don't attend, you won't do well.

I would suggest making a list of all of the colleges you're interested in and why you like them. After visiting each one of them (without friends from home), hopefully one should just stand out and "feel right". Be sure to consider things like class size to accomadate the style of learning that fits you best. Also, does the town fit you? Would you be able to get around and function? Be sure to not make your college decision based on your high school friends, you will make new friends and you don't have to lose the old ones! GET INVOLVED. The only way you're gonig to acclimate to your new environment is by establishing a new active social life. If you continue to drive home every weekend, your new school will never feel like home.

Plan a school visit and try to talk to students that have attended the school for a while to get a good idea of the good and bad things about the school.

I believe that finding the right college is determined by your personality. If you are someone who is laid back and somewhat of a family person, you want to find a college close to home that offers an inexpensive good quality education. If you are upbeat and like the big city life then you want to focus on larger universities or schools. It is important also to make sure they offer your program of choice. After that, look at the classes and ask others if possible. College experience is all in how you look at it. You need to be open minded and know that you are going to meet all kinds of people. Be open to that and be willing to learn as much as you can. College is one of the best times of your life so make the most of it and cherish every moment.

I believe that choosing the right college is based upon how well educated your professors are in your own field, as well as being in a safe learning environment. You want your professors to know what is best for you, and to challenge you as much as possible throughout your time in college. I think it is also important to be in a safe learning environment because this past semester our university went through a "gun scare" and we thought shots were fired on campus. It turns out that nothing happened, (which was a relief) but I felt assured that my university took care of the situation the best way possible to keep our commmunity safe. I believe it is also important to be involved in campus activities and to make great friends you will have for a lifetime. It makes the college experience so much more rewarding and memorable when you have great friends that are always there to experience it with you.

Research, Research, and Research!!

Since the financial burden of school falls upon my shoulders it was very hard for me to look past the cost of school. I chose the college I attend simply because the price was in my budget. My recommendation would be to not be so concerned with the cost. I know it seems like a lot for an education, but go where you feel most at home. Go to the school that makes you the happiest and try not to think about the cost too much. Also if the cost does seem daunting, apply for as many scholarships as you can get your hands on. Don't think that if you don't fit every little criteria that they aren't worth applying for because they are. Every little bit counts in offsetting the cost of school.

I would tell parents to make sure that when you are doing a campus tour that you feel as comfortable as possible. The more relaxed you and your child feel about the campus, its academics, social activities and job placement will make it an easier transition for both.

Definitely talk with financial aid to see what you can do as a student/parent to prepare for the academic year, get to know your professors and don't be afraid to seek help from your professors or tutors outside of the classroom. Every one of them is willing to go above and beyond what is asked of them to help assure your success. Don't take your education lightly. Make sure to attend all classes and get the most out of your education. Just because what you learn in the classroom doesn't apply to the degree you are working toward doesn't mean that it doesn't apply to general life.

The best advice that I could give to a prospective college student about finding the right college is to keep your options open. Apply to as many schools as you can, so that when its time to choose your school, you are not limited to one or two schools. And as far as making the most out of your college experience goes, stay involved. The people that don't enjoy college are the people that just sit around their dorm room all the time watching t.v. in their underwear. There is always plenty to get involved in, so find a niche that you belong in, and live your college experience up to the fullest.

Visit the school and just pick the one you would want to spend 4 years at. Don't worry about reputation or money, just pick the one you like the best.

Don't pick somewhere just because your friends do, pick a place that will the be the closest to suite what you want out of life.

Have fun, but be responsible. Don't do anything you'd be ashamed to tell your parents. You know, go to class, do your homework, study, make good grades. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Eat well, sleep well. Make new friends. Get involved. Do something you LOVE.

Find out what kind of grants, scholarships and finincial aid you can recieve from the schools you are applying to. Get organized and plan out what you want to do, what classes you want to take and how long it will take you to accomplish your goals. Ask questions because you will not always get information handed to you. Live on campus, it is a great experience and good practice for adulthood, you gain much more responsibility and maturity this way. Also, by being involved on campus you make more friends, college is about developing who you are-- your identity as well as your career. Don't get overwhelemed, you can only do as much as you capable of, so try not to stress. However, this does not mean that you shouldn't care, not go to class and party all the time. After all your main goal in college is to get an education. Remember all of these things and you will be fine and your college experience will be beneficial.

Look for schools and communities that really encourage students to push theirselves in their degree and other interests. Often times I see students loose interest in hobbies and interests because they become more focused on working or partying. So parents and students should look for a school that is affordable and offers as much help as possible to attend, and also promotes and rewards students more often when pursueing self improving activities outside of schoolwork.

Make sure that you are ready and want to go to the university you choose.

A good start at finding the right college would be to visit the campus, and if possible, stay a few days on campus and sit in on potential classes. You can get a pretty good idea, but you won't know for sure if it's the perfect college for you or not until you actually start. As for making the most out of your college experience, make priorities. I would advise that the number one priority be your schoolwork. Studying and getting homework done on time is vitally important to your success not only in college but also in your future career and life. The habbits ( focusing, accomplishing what you want, finishing what you have started, etc.) you form while in college, are the ones you will have when you get out. If you make good habits it will be that much easier to get a good start at life. If you have bad habits or if you have not fully developed certain habits, it will likely make for a bumpier start in your chosen career. So try to get as much of that accomplished while in college. You'll find you still have time for fun stuff too.

It's whatever you make of it. You have to choose your attitude. Find a place you feel the most comfortable in, and yet feel like you'll be stretching yourself academically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Let it shape your character and your mind.

Look a lot at the specific department that you want to major in....

When you decide the college that you want to support for four years go for the academics, then the class size, then finally decide on the campus by the beauty of the college/university campus

It doesn't matter if you attend the best, most expensive college in the nation if you don't put anything into it. Get involved, study, make friends. If you do this, you will learn, no matter where you are!

Definitely visit as many college campuses as you possibly can. Observe classes in the field in which you intend to study, visit the dorms (remember, the sample room any college campus will show you is probably better than most of the other rooms on that campus.), and eat campus food. Don't base your decision on where your friends are going, and absolutely do not base your decistion on where your significant other is attending school. Keep in mind that you probably won't be with that person when you graduate college. College is fun, but it is still school. Find a place where you think you will be comfortable but at the same time motivated to learn. Moderation is key!