We see them everyday, strolling through campus with their blue folders, faces so full of hope and excitement. They're walking with their parents, taking in the sights and sounds of a Real College Campus™. Some are just a few weeks from graduation, and it's clear that they're still unsure of where they'll be in the fall.

Others are just beginning their search for the perfect school, and are setting foot on a campus for the very first time. Others still have been dreaming of this place their entire lives (or at least since April 4, 2017 (the national championship, in case you don't remember)).

Whatever their reason for touring here, the point is, these high school students have a lot to be excited about, and a lot to learn. There are some things, though, that I wish I had known when I was in their shoes.

1. It's about more than picking a school.

You're deciding what sorts of people you'd like to be around for the next four years, what sort of weather you want to be shlepping to class in, and what you want to be able to do on campus. UNC provides lots of options for all of these things. For instance, just today, we experienced all four seasons within 12 hours. The point is, though, picking a college is about more than picking a college. It's about picking the next four years of your life. Just because a school says all the fluff words ("liberal arts", "research university", "academically rigorous", "campus involvement", "high retention") doesn't mean it's the place for you. Certainly, those words should be part of your consideration, but they shouldn't be the entirety of what you consider - because these are, indeed "difficult, hard choices."

2. Choosing based on the tour alone is...

Maybe your tour guide had an off day, maybe they didn't know how to answer your oddly specific question, or maybe it was raining. None of these things have anything to do with the school, and they shouldn't be the reason you make your decision.

3. It's about you.

As with your major, and just about every other decision you're going to make in college, this decision is about you. It's not about what school your parents like best, your siblings like best, your best friend likes best, your significant other likes best... it's about you. Pick the school based on your own likes and dislikes, not based on what anybody else says. Of course, make sure there's a reason you like it, and make sure you're positive. Those people typically have your best interests at heart, so make sure to check their concerns. But at the end of the day, it's your school. Pick it based on what you want.

4. Do it for you.

The short answer is, no. When I was looking at colleges, I was positive I wanted to go out of state. I applied to two in state schools (and I attend one of them now, go figure), but I was convinced that, just to prove to everybody else I could do it, I would not stay here. It wasn't exactly spiteful, but it was pretty close. And then I went on the tour, convinced that I would dislike it, and honestly hoping I would. I fell in love with this place though. The point is, come to the tour hoping to be dazzled, even if you're pretty sure you don't want to go here, or wherever else. The tour is for you, and there's no reason a college decision needs to be spiteful.

5. Not every day is like this.

Chances are, you're going to tour on a beautiful day. Sun is shining, birds are chirping, and the sky is bluer than Michael Jordan's number 23 jersey. Your mom will buy you a nice lunch, and then you'll go into the Student Stores and buy a cute sweatshirt. A perfect day. It's not always going to be like this, though. You need to make sure that you're still going to want to be here on the days when it's not like this.

6. None of us know what we're doing.

Not even the students walking past you with a sense of purpose and a backpack on, talking to friends. But definitely not the other people in your tour group. Even the girl who compares your tour at the small liberal arts school in your hometown to the one at Harvard - she's probably most confused of all. Breathe in, breathe out, and accept the uncertainty.

7. You will find the right place.

You'll get there, and then you'll make that decision, and it'll feel great. You'll tour the perfect place.

At the end of the day, everybody is looking for something different. Chances are, you won't end up at the same school as your best friend. You might not like the school your sister attends. Your parents might want more for you than their alma mater. You might have to try long distance with that high school boyfriend or girlfriend, or even just call it quits. That's okay. Everybody has something different in mind when it comes to universities, and the beauty of the tour is that it's just the beginning. There's still plenty of time to find your dream school. Take it.