5 answers
Aurora
Student
Roswell, New Mexico
3
Questions
Asked
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How do I know what college Im going to be happy at?
Im thinking of different colleges such as: New Mexico Military Institute, New Mexico Sate University, Lubbock Christian, Texas Tech . I don't want to go to a college and then waste the money and not like i t there , and want to go somewhere else. What do I do? #colleges #money
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5 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6075
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Aurora!
How to Determine the Right College for Your Happiness
Choosing a college is a significant decision that can impact your academic and personal life. To ensure you select a college where you will be happy, consider the following steps:
1. Self-Assessment: Understand Your Preferences
Identify Your Interests: Reflect on what subjects or activities excite you. Are you drawn to science, arts, sports, or military training? This can help narrow down colleges that excel in those areas.
Consider Your Values: Think about what matters most to you in a college experience. Is it a strong community, diversity, academic rigor, or extracurricular opportunities?
Evaluate Learning Style: Consider whether you thrive in structured environments (like military institutions) or prefer more freedom and flexibility.
2. Research Colleges Thoroughly
Academic Programs: Look into the specific programs offered by each institution. For example, if you’re interested in engineering, check which school has the best engineering department.
Campus Culture: Investigate the social atmosphere of each college. Visit forums and social media groups to get insights from current students about their experiences.
Location and Environment: Consider whether you prefer an urban setting like Texas Tech or a smaller town environment like New Mexico Military Institute.
3. Visit Campuses
Campus Tours: If possible, visit each campus to get a feel for the environment. Pay attention to how comfortable you feel walking around and interacting with students.
Attend Events: Participate in open houses or student-led tours to gain firsthand experience of campus life.
Talk to Students: Engage with current students during your visit; ask them about their experiences regarding academics, social life, and support services.
4. Evaluate Financial Aspects
Tuition and Fees: Compare the costs associated with attending each institution. Consider not just tuition but also housing, meals, books, and other expenses.
Financial Aid Opportunities: Research scholarships and financial aid options available at each college to alleviate potential financial burdens.
5. Seek Guidance
Consult Advisors: Speak with high school counselors who can provide insights based on your interests and goals.
Connect with Alumni: Reach out to alumni from your prospective colleges to learn about their post-graduation experiences.
6. Trust Your Instincts
After gathering all this information, trust your gut feeling about where you believe you’ll fit best. Sometimes intuition plays a crucial role in making such decisions.
By following these steps methodically, you’ll be better equipped to choose a college that aligns with your aspirations and lifestyle preferences—ultimately leading to greater happiness during your college years.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
College Board: A comprehensive resource for information on colleges including admissions processes, financial aid options, and academic programs.
U.S. News & World Report: Provides rankings of colleges along with detailed profiles that include student reviews and campus culture insights.
Niche.com: Offers reviews from current students about various aspects of colleges including academics, campus life, and overall satisfaction ratings.
God Bless You!
JC.
How to Determine the Right College for Your Happiness
Choosing a college is a significant decision that can impact your academic and personal life. To ensure you select a college where you will be happy, consider the following steps:
1. Self-Assessment: Understand Your Preferences
Identify Your Interests: Reflect on what subjects or activities excite you. Are you drawn to science, arts, sports, or military training? This can help narrow down colleges that excel in those areas.
Consider Your Values: Think about what matters most to you in a college experience. Is it a strong community, diversity, academic rigor, or extracurricular opportunities?
Evaluate Learning Style: Consider whether you thrive in structured environments (like military institutions) or prefer more freedom and flexibility.
2. Research Colleges Thoroughly
Academic Programs: Look into the specific programs offered by each institution. For example, if you’re interested in engineering, check which school has the best engineering department.
Campus Culture: Investigate the social atmosphere of each college. Visit forums and social media groups to get insights from current students about their experiences.
Location and Environment: Consider whether you prefer an urban setting like Texas Tech or a smaller town environment like New Mexico Military Institute.
3. Visit Campuses
Campus Tours: If possible, visit each campus to get a feel for the environment. Pay attention to how comfortable you feel walking around and interacting with students.
Attend Events: Participate in open houses or student-led tours to gain firsthand experience of campus life.
Talk to Students: Engage with current students during your visit; ask them about their experiences regarding academics, social life, and support services.
4. Evaluate Financial Aspects
Tuition and Fees: Compare the costs associated with attending each institution. Consider not just tuition but also housing, meals, books, and other expenses.
Financial Aid Opportunities: Research scholarships and financial aid options available at each college to alleviate potential financial burdens.
5. Seek Guidance
Consult Advisors: Speak with high school counselors who can provide insights based on your interests and goals.
Connect with Alumni: Reach out to alumni from your prospective colleges to learn about their post-graduation experiences.
6. Trust Your Instincts
After gathering all this information, trust your gut feeling about where you believe you’ll fit best. Sometimes intuition plays a crucial role in making such decisions.
By following these steps methodically, you’ll be better equipped to choose a college that aligns with your aspirations and lifestyle preferences—ultimately leading to greater happiness during your college years.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
College Board: A comprehensive resource for information on colleges including admissions processes, financial aid options, and academic programs.
U.S. News & World Report: Provides rankings of colleges along with detailed profiles that include student reviews and campus culture insights.
Niche.com: Offers reviews from current students about various aspects of colleges including academics, campus life, and overall satisfaction ratings.
God Bless You!
JC.
Scott Babcock
Customer Experience/Safety Engineering
12
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Scott’s Answer
So much of college is what you make of it. More specifically, it is the connections to people you make and the activities you choose to participate in that make your college experience more enjoyable. If you think about it, every college is basically the same. A bunch of buildings and classrooms. They come to life only after people make them do so. The same experiences apply to your dorm, interactions with classmates and your desire to engage with others who you will meet.
Each campus does have a fell to it, at least in my experiences. The more common areas or places where students can hang out and socialize, the more opportunities you will have to expand your network for studying, partying or whatever you enjoy doing. Commuter colleges are the opposite, students go to class and leave. Not much of an experience there.
The other factor I have found in picking a college which is important is your post college experience. I went to a smaller school that does not offer a lot of sports etc. Conversely, some of my friends went to a big ten school. They go back to campus for football games, go to bars that affiliates with them for events and generally have a strong post college network. The other benefit is a large alumni population. This can come in handy when you hit the work world or, getting involved in various events such as meet and greets etc. Best of luck to all!
Each campus does have a fell to it, at least in my experiences. The more common areas or places where students can hang out and socialize, the more opportunities you will have to expand your network for studying, partying or whatever you enjoy doing. Commuter colleges are the opposite, students go to class and leave. Not much of an experience there.
The other factor I have found in picking a college which is important is your post college experience. I went to a smaller school that does not offer a lot of sports etc. Conversely, some of my friends went to a big ten school. They go back to campus for football games, go to bars that affiliates with them for events and generally have a strong post college network. The other benefit is a large alumni population. This can come in handy when you hit the work world or, getting involved in various events such as meet and greets etc. Best of luck to all!
Jenny Velasco
Psychology
1
Answer
Carol Stream, Illinois
Updated
Jenny’s Answer
To embark on a thrilling journey to find a college where you'll thrive, ponder over these essential aspects:
Priorities: Identify what sparks your interest the most, be it academics, culture, location, size, and so on.
Research: Dive into the world of each college, exploring their programs, campus life, and student feedback. If possible, take a tour of the campuses.
Environment: Reflect on whether you'd flourish in a larger institution like Texas Tech or a more intimate setting like Lubbock Christian.
Goals: Make sure the college provides programs and opportunities that resonate with your aspirations.
Costs: Scrutinize the cost and financial aid possibilities. Ensure you're at ease with the financial commitment.
Talk to Students: Engage with current students or alumni to gain a genuine insight.
Gut Feeling: After your thorough research, trust your intuition and consider which college resonates with you the most.
By embracing these steps, you're setting yourself up for success in finding a college where you'll not only be happy but also flourish.
Priorities: Identify what sparks your interest the most, be it academics, culture, location, size, and so on.
Research: Dive into the world of each college, exploring their programs, campus life, and student feedback. If possible, take a tour of the campuses.
Environment: Reflect on whether you'd flourish in a larger institution like Texas Tech or a more intimate setting like Lubbock Christian.
Goals: Make sure the college provides programs and opportunities that resonate with your aspirations.
Costs: Scrutinize the cost and financial aid possibilities. Ensure you're at ease with the financial commitment.
Talk to Students: Engage with current students or alumni to gain a genuine insight.
Gut Feeling: After your thorough research, trust your intuition and consider which college resonates with you the most.
By embracing these steps, you're setting yourself up for success in finding a college where you'll not only be happy but also flourish.
Rebecca Cohen
Intern
5
Answers
Greenlawn, New York
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
You never fully know until you try it unfortunately. I do recommend visiting and touring as you'll get a good sense of what it may be like to go to school there and if you get a sense of home while walking around. Also looking online at what other students have to say about that school is another good insight to gather more information. I also would suggest looking into the statistics of how many people dorm and commute (if you're planning on dorming, you might not enjoy making friends that are always home at night and on the weekends).
Once you have made your decision I would then try and engage with other admitted students to familiarize yourself.
Best of luck!
Once you have made your decision I would then try and engage with other admitted students to familiarize yourself.
Best of luck!
Regina Hagen
Lead College Recruiting Manager at AT&T
3
Answers
Updated
Regina’s Answer
If you can visit the college - take a tour, talk to some of the students and professors. This allows you to get the feel of the college. What do you want to get out of your college experience? Do you want smaller classrooms or larger groups? Is food important to you, do they have a good selection in the cafeteria? What does the school stand for or believe in? What is the programs involved that you would like to participate in? Where is the school located and what is around it?