Choosing the right college is most likely one of the biggest decisions you will have had to make at this stage in your life. You may be unsure of where to begin your search and what to look for in an educational institution. This article will discuss how to find a college that is right for you so you can continue your education and turn your dreams into reality.
When choosing a college, look for institutions that have a strong history of teaching what you want to major in. Other items to consider are:
- Housing
- Location
- On-campus services
- Reputation
- Tuition cost
Other steps can also be taken to ensure you are making the right decision for your future.
If you are nervous about finding the right college, continue reading this article for tips that may reduce your anxiety and stress so you can make the best decision for your future.
Table of Contents
How Do I Start to Pick a College?
If you have not already done so, you need to find your passion. Do some serious soul searching because this is not a light decision that you are making and it can impact the rest of your life.
- What makes you happy in life?
- What motivates or inspires you?
- What things are most important to you?
This can be a lot to ask of a person at such a young age because if you ask most adults they are still looking for their passion or purpose in life. What you want when you are 18 years old may be significantly different when you are 30.
Life can change at the snap of a finger so whatever you decide, be sure that you can acquire an education and set of skills that can be applied to multiple fields of work.
The more versatile you are the better off you will be when you are out in the real world. Employers love people who are cross-trained and have a wide set of usable skills.
Next, you need to think about how can you turn your passion into an opportunity to make money. After all, money is what makes this world turn and although they say that money can’t buy happiness, it sure does help reduce the struggles of everyday life.
Unfortunately in life, most of us don’t truly figure things out until we are much older and have been away from the college scene for a long time. Life experiences can change your trajectory and put you on a path that you may never have expected to be on.
Keep this in mind as you begin your search for a college that is right for you. If you follow the recommendations in this article you may spare yourself from making a hasty decision that may not benefit you in the end.
For more on what to look for when searching for a college to attend continue reading.
What to Look for When Looking at Colleges
When looking for colleges you will want to focus on the following things which will be discussed in more detail further along in the article along with other tips.
- Courses offered
- Location
- On-campus housing, facilities, and services
- Reputation
- Safety
These and other things are important factors that will help you make a decision that is best for your future.
To learn more about how to pick the right college continue to the next section.
How Do You Choose A College That’s Right for You?
The best way to choose a college is by the process of elimination. To successfully do this you need to have a rough idea of what geographical areas you wish to live in.
Next start building a list of colleges in those areas. Colleges are more than eager to enroll new students so when you find one that looks interesting to you, request a catalog so you can have even more information to base your decision on.
Once you are satisfied with your list and feel that you have enough viable options to choose from you can begin the elimination process.
The best way to whittle down your choices is to create a pros and cons list. Sometimes it can be helpful to create a table with all of the things you are looking for in a college. Then start going down the list and checking things off.
After you have completed your table you can eliminate the schools that have the most cons. Then repeat the process with the remaining schools. It is always a good idea to have a list of the top three to five colleges you would like to attend in case you are not accepted into your first choice.
For a more detailed explanation of the things that will aid your decision process to find the right college, continue reading the helpful tips in the next section.
8 Steps to Choosing a College That’s Right for You
Here we will discuss in greater detail the eight steps you should take when trying to find the right college for you.
Be True to Yourself – Follow Your Heart, Not What is Expected of You
This can be a very difficult thing to do, but if at all possible do your best to avoid parental and peer pressure.
Although your parents may be footing the bill, ultimately this is your life we are talking about here and you need to have a say in where you are going to continue your education regardless of how it is being paid for.
That is not to say that you should completely disregard what your parents or friends are saying. It just means that in the end, you need to be true to yourself and follow your heart and gut; even if it is an unpopular decision among those who care for you.
Safety
Be sure any college you are looking at has on-campus security or police. It is important that you feel safe as you make your way around campus, especially if you are alone.
Look up crime rates in the areas of the colleges that you are considering as well. Although statistics are not always 100% accurate, you can find out if the area you want to be in is considered to be safe.
Social Activities, Organizations, and Sports
A big part of the college experience is the social aspect. If you are a people person and like to be a part of a group and participate in fun activities this will need to be a priority on your list. Check out what kind of clubs and other group activities are available.
Do they have fraternities and sororities? For many colleges, sports are number one on the list. If you are a sports fan then you will likely want to attend a school that is known for its athletics.
Courses Offered
This should be your number one priority since the whole reason you are attending college in the first place is to increase your knowledge. Look for schools that have a long history and a good reputation for teaching the subjects in which you wish to major.
Cost of Tuition
No matter where you go, it will cost you to attend college, one way or another. Whether your parents are footing the bill, you have a student loan or you are fortunate enough to have earned a scholarship you will pay and likely for many years.
Sometimes you can offset some of the costs by applying for grants. There are thousands of government and privately funded grants available to students who need help paying for the necessary expenses that come along with attending college.
This website lists several grants available and may help give you ideas on how to save some money. Also, the internet is your friend when it comes to finding other resources to help offset the financial burden of attending college.
So get to Googling and see what you find, you may be surprised to see how many discounts and financial assistance programs are available to students and their families.
On-Campus Housing, Facilities, and Services
This is another important factor to consider, especially for your first year away from home. The more facilities and services that a college offers the better.
In most cases, a student does not have a vehicle due to the sheer lack of parking available at many colleges as well as it is an added expense.
The more things available to you on campus the better because then you are not having to traipse all over the city for every little thing you need.
- Banking
- Entertainment and recreation centers
- Grocery or convenience store
- Gyms and sports facilities
- Laundry
- Medical services
- Police services
- Pool
- Restaurants and cafeterias – do they offer meal plans?
- Types of housing available
The Reputation of the College
Of course, there will always be good and bad things reported about any college however, it is important to consider the overall reputation of a college.
Ask locals their opinion or get online and look at reviews. Take other people’s opinions with a grain of salt but do not disregard them completely. If you repeatedly hear negative things about a college on your list it may be a good idea to scratch it off and add another one.
Location of the College
Location really is everything, whether you are talking about real estate or finding the right college it is very important that you are in a good location. You want to find a location that is close to everything that you will need regularly.
Although most colleges offer a slue of amenities and on-campus services there will be things you need that they just don’t have and you won’t want to travel for miles and miles to get them, especially if you do not have a vehicle.
For the final and most important step in the decision-making process continue reading.
Take a Tour of Your Top Five Colleges
Once you have narrowed your list to around five colleges it is time for the final step that will add clarity to your decision-making process. It is time to take a road trip.
Grab your parents and some snacks and hit the road so you can physically check out the colleges you are interested in. You wouldn’t buy a house without looking at it first and you shouldn’t enroll in a college without visiting it first either.
A huge part of finding the right college is how you feel when you are there. You want to feel comfortable in the environment and excited about the opportunities available to you.
This goes back to trusting your gut and doing what feels right. If you are comfortable where you are then you are likely to do better and focus more on your studies which will make you more successful in the long run.
If after reading all of this information you are still on the fence about finding the right college, continue reading for another option that may better suit you.
College May Not Be for Everyone But Education Is
There is a lot of pressure when it comes to deciding whether or not you will be attending college. You may think that if you don’t go to college you will have to simply jump straight into the workforce and begin a mediocre life at a job that barely makes ends meet and does not inspire you.
Perhaps you aren’t “the college type” or are unsure of what you want to do “when you grow up”; you may be a great candidate for a vocational school. Here you can gain the skills for a trade that will ultimately generate your income and allow you the freedom to live the life you have always wanted.
Continue reading to learn more about what vocational schools have to offer someone who may want other options for their education.
The Great Things About Attending a Vocational School
Here are some reasons why you should look into a vocational school versus a traditional college setting.
- Easier to get accepted with less waiting time
- Flexible schedules for those who work or have children
- Most vocational schools are designed to help you find a job in your career path when you graduate so you don’t have to spend months looking for a job
- Tend to have smaller class sizes so there is more one-on-one interaction which helps you to learn and retain the information better
- Vocational schools are more affordable
- Vocational schools give you real-life skills that you can use to obtain a job quickly
- When attending a vocational school you can finish your degree in less time and get into the working world faster
Hopefully, this list has helped you to find which direction you wish to go in life. And don’t worry if you don’t know all of the answers right now. We are all doing our best and what works for one person may not work for another.
Do the best you can with the information you have available to you, work hard, trust your gut and you will be fine.
Find a Way to Make Money Doing What You Love
When picking a major, choose something that you love, but also something that makes sense in the real world. After all what good is a fancy degree if you can’t find a job that requires the sort of education you worked so hard to acquire? Stick to your pros and cons list, visit your favorite options, and best of luck with your decision.
