The simple word "college" can inflict dozens of different emotions on people.
Maybe you are a current college student and are absolutely on top of the world right now. Or maybe you're a high school senior and you hear that world and think, "Oh my gosh, I have no idea where I am going or what I want to do."
It's possible that the college students that are reading this article right now are very content with where they are currently calling their temporary home, or at least enjoying their college experience in some way.
As for the high school students, college is one of the most pressured things in today's society and picking the wrong college means you're setting yourself up for failure, right? Wrong.
When picking a college, my advice is to visit the campus.
I am from a city in Indiana and growing up was surrounded by, none other than, Hoosiers. Occasionally there was a Boilermaker or two. But growing up with Indiana University being where everyone in my high school seems to flock to, I was completely against it. I wanted to get away as quick and far as possible after graduation.
So maybe, like you, I applied to a few out of state schools. 13 to be exact. From Rome, Italy to Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, I applied only to out of state schools and not one in state school.
After being badgered by my mother, I sent in my application to Indiana University two hours before the deadline.
In the midst of all of the essay writing, score sending and spreadsheet making, I was flying and driving all across the country visiting colleges, all with an open mind.
There were a few colleges that stuck out and a couple that I thought I might be able to study at, but there was one that I thought made the most sense going to. They had a thriving student life, not too expensive, beautiful campus, but there was something about the college that I didn't like and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
After two months of sitting at a standstill and constantly telling people I hadn't picked a college yet, I finally booked my campus visit at Indiana Univeristy.
I had been down to IU dozens of times before, as my older sister graduated from there in 2012 and another sister of mine attends there currently. I had experienced the football games, the tailgating, the campus walks, and I had consumed the infamous wings from Buffa Louies dripping with sauce and an ungodly amount of Mother Bear's pizza.
When I walked the campus, toured my school of choice, and started picturing myself there, I realized for the first time I hadn't compared IU to another other college. I felt safe, content, and eager to spend more time there and I had realized that it was "the school" for me. Once you pick your college you will know this feeling, but I felt it in my gut. I knew it was the right college for me.
So, to the seniors still trying to pick or the underclassmen that are wondering about college already, you will know it in your heart of hearts when you have picked the right school. Because like my dear friend Katie told me recently, it's all about the feel, you know?
