Well, college season has officially begun. As a senior, I can confidently say that I am applying to one too many colleges. But every time I take a look at my list, attempt to rule some out, there's always a reason not to. Whether its "oh, they have a really good program for what I want" or "the campus community is just so great there". Well so does UGA, and it doesn't cost 70k a year. So why are you applying to Yale University?

The fact is, college was never a realistic endeavor for most anyone with academic ambition. School, of course, was; this reality of 6 hour boredom taking classes you never wanted and coming home to do more work all the while the children playing outside the window and the sun shining pleasantly mock you as you sit in your dining room chair, staring at a blank piece of paper that's supposed to be a finished 650 word rough draft by 11:59 P.M.

Yeah, high school's not the best. But the reason we go through it, and put our best foot forward is to get into the college of our dreams, and begin our beautiful future. Right?

Wrong. Because college, unlike the chess trophies on your mantelpiece, isn't simply another accolade to add to your mental list of accomplishments, your feeling of being achieved. It's the future, it's reality, and you have to be real about what's right for you.

For example, if you're just slogging it out now with 5 AP's, varsity tennis, and president of the Student Council, and you're not having a good time, well you probably don't want to apply to Harvard saying you've enjoyed these things. Because unlike a dream, Harvard is only going to be more difficult, with complex classes, a competitive student body, and less accomodating professors. I mean, every Ivy League is likely to employ those same characteristics in their college experience. So, if you're not happy in high school, it's not likely that you'll magically change personalities in a summer and be prepared for it.

Instead, do what's right for your future, to make you happy. Rather than seeing college as the end goal, the big achievement, the end-all-be-all, think of it as the medium for which you can achieve other things. Choose the right environment for your personal success, whether its based on the major, the rigor, the professors, or the city. Remember that true success is only achieved when you're truly happy.

And finally, for all of those middle class kids stuck in the middle with tuition, remember that in the long run, saving is good. Saving money, especially if you're planning to go into law school, medical school, or even for getting your own home or car, way into the future, is very important. So don't blow the bank if you can help it, and be smart about your spending. I can't even tell you the amount of adults that tell me "where you go doesn't even matter" or "it's the GPA that really counts".

So look at college as just another experience, another environment, where you can be your best self. That way, you can achieve more, and maybe even save some bills while you're at it.