At 14, 15, 16 and 17 years of age almost every kid has gotten the push to go visit colleges. I mean this is normal and smart right? If you want to get some higher education, it is probably smart to go check out where you are going to spend the next 4 years.
I did visit colleges when I was at the age of looking for a school to attend... but guess what? Yep, I didn't visit the college I am going to.
I personally see nothing wrong with going and visiting colleges... I mean like I said, you are going to spent the next 4 years there, it better be a place you feel comfortable and like. I can totally see how it can be beneficial to go a SEE a school, rather than just hear about it. Also, it could really be the deciding factor between two schools... I mean, do you want community bathrooms or not?
So, at this point you are probably wondering why I am so for visiting colleges, yet I didn't visit mine. Well, I wouldn't say I am for visiting colleges, I do see the helpfulness it brings, but what makes we frustrated is when people think you HAVE to visit.
You hear all the times about missionaries who get called to these crazy exotic places. Do you think they go and visit before deciding whether they should obey God or not? No, probably not. They go because that is where they are being called. It takes trust and a true faith in God to walk out into the great unknown.
That is how it was for me. I knew I was called to California, and the school I was looking at out there. There was no way I was able to visit. I just had to simply trust what I was hearing God say.
And guess what... I love my school. Sure, it has its downfalls like every school, and it was hard to get adjusted. But to be honest... I don't think a visit would have helped. I knew God was calling me into the unknown where I had to trust that He was the one who knew.
I do believe God might have one person visit some colleges to decide, but I do believe at times He calls us to simply walk out and trust Him- Trust that we heard His voice and that He is faithful.
What I want to get across is, that no, you don't need to feel pressured to visit all the schools. You don't even need to be afraid of choosing the wrong one. Just trust God- Pray and see what He says, and where He is calling you. Obeying Him is going to be the greatest adventure of your life! God knows you, and has plans for you!
Trusting in the unseen can be hard, I mean, I was scared to death that the campus would be extremely run down and junky, but I had to trust that God called me there, and it would be fine. And yes, it was totally better than I had pictured- but the even greater part was that I was right where God wanted me, and that was right where I wanted to be!
Don't feel pressured to visit every school possible, pray first, and see God open the way!
