If you have not already done so, now is the time to make a decision on what university you want to attend after graduating high school. If any of you are like my sister, making this decision may be difficult for you. It is impossible to tell someone what university they should attend because so many of them exist, but it is possible to think of some things that could be taken into consideration when deciding on a university.

First of all, it is okay to not pick the university that all your high school friends will go to. The idea of going to a university where you do not know anyone can be scary, but it will allow you to meet new people. You will be able to discover yourself better as an individual, rather than who you were at your high school. You may be the same person then and now, but you may also want to make some changes. Going to a university without your friends does not mean you will not keep in touch with them. I am closer now with some of my high school friends than I was back then. Good friends will remain your friends even if you are miles apart.

Do not simply pick the university. Pick the area around it. Whenever there is free time, it is nice to get off campus. Being on campus gets old if you never venture out to do anything else, and going off campus can be a nice break. However, if you do not like the area around your campus, you will end up feeling stuck with nowhere else to go.

Many students, myself included, do not know what they want to major in when they first go to a university. Whether or not you know the answer to this, it is a good idea to look up the university’s programs so you know what they have to offer. I have met many people that had to switch universities because the school did not have a program for their major. This can be a pain when transferring credits and may end up requiring you to do more work in the end.

Pick a university that is a comfortable distance away from home. This will vary for everyone. Some people want to be close to home, while others want to be further away. Some even want to leave their state. You have to pick a distance that feels right to you, but also take note in that being further away can cost more for out-of-state tuition and travel arrangements.

Also, take notice of the size of the university. Just like distance from home, the size will vary for everyone. A school can feel overwhelming if it is too big or too small for you. By touring schools of different sizes you can get an understanding what size you are comfortable with.

Consider other interests of yours. Think of what sports you like to be involved in, or what sports you like to watch. Think about arts and whether you want to be involved with them like in high school. Think of if you want to study abroad, and what universities have the most options for that. Think about finances and scholarships the university offers.

In the end, college tours will all tell you the same information. Many universities will not be that different, and all offer many things. So for a moment, forget everything your tour told you and simply picture the university. Ask yourself if you can picture living and studying there, and then you will have your decision.