If You're Picking Out Your College, Avoid These 10 Things At ALL Costs
Start writing a post
Student Life

If You're Picking Out Your College, Avoid These 10 Things At ALL Costs

You got in, so now what?

1346
If You're Picking Out Your College, Avoid These 10 Things At ALL Costs
NPS

If you want to go to college, you can go to college. Despite the daunting application process, I promise you that you can actually do it.

You'll be amazed at the schools that the kids in your high school class get accepted to. You'll be amazed by how many kids are even going at all. So yes, getting into college absolutely doable, and you'll get into a lot, but then what?

You have to pick.

It's not easy, but there are some things you absolutely SHOULDN'T do.

1. Not visit.

How are you going to know if it's worth spending four years there? How are you going to pick up and move across the country if you don't know if you like your immediate surroundings? You're not, so definitely plan on visiting beforehand.

2. Have a one track mind

Okay, so you have this number one school that you've had for a really really long time. I'm not saying you can't/shouldn't go there, but you should look into everything with an open mind before making a final final decision.

3. Choose the college specializes in your current major only.

This may be breaking news, but a lot of kids get accepted pre-medicine and not a lot of kids graduate pre-medicine. And the same is true across every major you could ever think of. There's a better chance you're going to change your major than actually stick with it, and that's okay. Change it as many times as you need!=! But, in order to do that, you need a school that has a lot of options for different majors.

4. Follow others around.

Don't go to the same school as your boyfriend, girlfriend or friends just because they're going there. This process is about you, your happiness and your successes.

5. Obsess or forget how much it costs.

Yes, college is expensive. Costs also add up quickly once you're here. Do you need transportation? Do you KNOW how much textbooks cost? But it also shouldn't be the deciding factor. Financial aid is willing to work with you to find a way to make it (as close as it can be to) affordable.

6. Succumb to parental influence.

They might be the ones paying, but they should also understand that you need to do what's best for you. They might have gone there and they might think the school is the best fit, but they don't actually know. Don't pick a school just because it's the last one you're parents want either. Just avoid that conflict.

7. Decide on your school because it's ranked highly.

Ranks are SO subjective. You don't have any idea if it's actually a good school just because one person arbitrarily decided it was a better school than some other halfway decent school.

8. Not ask any questions.

This. Is. Not. A. Passive. Process. Ask a lot of questions, even ones that feel dumb, to a lot of different people. Ask people who go there, tour guides, faculty, staff, alumni, professors or anyone who has even heard of the school a question.

9. Ignore your resources.

The Internet, your guidance counselor, a campus representative, a book you found in Barnes and Noble. It doesn't really matter where you get your information; it just matters that you obtain it. The more information you have, the more informed you're going to be. And having information is a really good thing.

10. Rely on someone else's opinion.

Getting a lot of opinions is usually a good thing, but at the end of the day, this process is about you. Don't let someone else's words stop you from going to your dream school. You got this!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57436
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37008
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958746
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190855
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments