This time last year, I remember sitting down in front of my laptop with absolutely no clue on what to write for my college applications. There are over 5,300 colleges and universities in the United States, and somehow, I was supposed to find a school that was the exact fit for me. This was pretty daunting for a seventeen-year-old, and I have no doubt that several high school seniors feel the same exact way.

At this time last year, I wouldn’t have been able to imagine that a SoCal girl like me would be studying at Lehigh University, all the way across the country. Even when all my acceptance letters came out, I was nervous about selecting my final choice.

What if I chose wrong?

It’s a cliché, but here’s the truth: there is a school that’s a right fit for you. It may not be the perfect fit, but wherever you end up, there’s a place for you to learn and thrive. My reason for choosing Lehigh might be different from your reason for choosing your college or university, but my hope is to share some of the thoughts that went through my mind as I started applying for college and to resonate with some of the undoubtedly stressed seniors.

I chose to apply to Lehigh (and ultimately choose Lehigh) because I recognized that the university is invested in making change – not just through words in a Mission Statement, but rather Lehigh believes in making a material difference. As an intended International Relations major, this was really important to me. I would have not only a deeply rooted understanding of global studies and foreign affairs, but I would also have the chance to practice and research what I’ve learned through several internship opportunities, which would offer me a direct experience in the work field.

I really wanted a college experience with an atmosphere that fosters young individuals to assert and demand change in this world.

When I had the chance to visit the campus, I was fortunate enough to sit in on a political science lecture. I was fascinated and marveled at how Lehigh’s education system valued so much more than multiple choice questions. Instead, I witnessed how Lehigh professors engaged the class with conversation. As a student who finds it difficult to learn solely from PowerPoints and standardized testing, I felt that at Lehigh, I could obtain a personalized education.

It’s okay to not know exactly what you want to do, or where you want to study. And of course, it’s okay for you take a year at a community college or even a gap year to try and answer those questions. What’s important to keep in mind is that your school should offer you an education that you truly like. Because I value communication and dialogue, I felt comfortable with the smaller sized classes and student-to-teacher ratios. Some of my friends felt uncomfortable with that and found comfort in bigger lecture halls.

Here’s what it boils down to: personalized education. Take some time to think about what you struggled with in high school, and how you can fix that based on the colleges you apply to. Research the colleges that you have in mind and if you can, visit the campus. Find out if you like big schools, small schools, schools with a big athletics department, schools with a strong alumni connection, etc. But most importantly, try to find schools where you can see yourself thriving and enjoying the college years.