Finding the Right College in 2024
The last few years of high school can be a very daunting time in a young person’s life. Things in your life are changing at a much faster pace. It can feel like the changes are constant. And with these changes come decisions. One of the biggest decisions can fall to what type of education you want after leaving high school. You have the option of a four-year university, a trade school, or a gap year spent abroad. For some, this pressure can seem insurmountable. For others, this pressure can be exciting. No matter what education path you wish to pursue, it is important to know, first and foremost, where to look. Luckily, here at NSHSS, we have created a helpful guide to aid in your collegiate quests. Check out some of the amazing ways that we can help you prepare for your future in further education!
Begin with Your Interests
We live in a big world, and the paths available to us are different for each person. But it is important to know which path you most desire in order to take the right first step. For some, they might have a passion for medicine or the military. In these careers, the career path is more laid out, with specific goals to meet along the way. For others, their passion might fall under a more artistic goal. If that sounds like you, your path might not feel as mapped out, and a good bit of trial and error will be required to truly learn where your artistic contributions fit best. Then there are those whose passion lie in work done by their own two hands. This can be welding, woodworking, electrical engineering, or even landscaping. This particular career path might put you on course towards a trade school, or a local, two-year college. By zeroing in on what you want to do, you will have a much better framework for where you want to go and how you can get there. If you desire to be a botanist, you might start with all of the best schools for botany in the United States, or perhaps you want to study it abroad in Europe. No matter what that passion might be, finding it will push you to places and people that could very well change your life.
Keep An Open Mind
Sometimes students are confronted with the harsh reality that the school they desperately wanted to go to did not accept them. This rejection can be a hard thing to face, but it is important that you do your best to stay positive as you look elsewhere. No matter which state you live in, chances are there is a perfectly good college, with a wonderfully energetic and passionate team of professors ready to help get you to your future. Perhaps you applied to a ‘safety’ school but you didn’t actually expect to go there. By taking a leap of faith and trying it out, if only for your first year, you may discover a wonderful community waiting for you. When applying, never put all of your eggs into one collegiate basket. Be open to exploring some of the lesser-known universities, and see what they have to offer. You never know, that could be the college where you truly belong.
Nothing is Permanent
When it comes to ‘settling’ on a college or university, some students might fear that they must stick with this choice all four years. But that is absolutely not the case. While some financial aspects might keep you at a specific university for all four years, or maybe even the first two years, it is also very common for students to transfer to different universities throughout their college career. By thorough planning, keeping your records updated, and discussing the finances with your parent or guardian ahead of time, chances are you’ll have the opportunity to explore a new school within your four years. But there is a catch. Just because you can does not always mean that you should. Moving to a new university is a very big step. It can cost a lot of time, money, and setbacks with your academic record. Be sure to really consider the outcomes when making this decision. You may find that it is better to stay at your current school, stick with the friends you have already made, and dig deeper into a new community on campus you never considered before.
Finances Matter
Whether you want to stay in-state, move out of state, or go abroad, it is no small feat to go to college at all. While searching for your next school, it is best to study the expenses of the schools you are considering. By talking with your high school guidance counselor, your parent or guardian, and even online FAQs from the school itself, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the school’s costs. From room and board, textbooks, extra curricular club dues, and sports, the financial burden can become heavy quickly. So if you’re struggling to make a decision on where to go, it's good to find a school that offers a lot of what you need, while also being cost-effective.
Field Research
In life, nothing compares to the real thing. Nowhere is this more true than a college campus. If you are having trouble deciding which school to commit to, a college tour is a great way to make that decision. You can go as part of a large group, on your own with friends, or with your parents. However you want to do it, by walking around the school, seeing the layout of the campus, the construction of the buildings, and even the amount of trees on the grounds, you can take in the atmosphere and architecture. You will also learn a ton. By touring with a guide or campus faculty member of some kind, you will get plenty of necessary information on the campus and the community, which will go a long way in the decision-making process. While you’re there, you can check out the classrooms, dormitories, library, and dining hall on campus. You can even tour the surrounding city-life, like local restaurants, movie theaters, and department stores. Whether you tour in the summer, when the campus is quieter and less crowded, or you go during a semester, when the campus is lively, getting a feel for the atmosphere and culture can provide you enough intuitive sense to make that final decision when committing to a school. After all, it’s best to make sure you feel at home when deciding whether to spend money to live there.
Family Matters
Finally, sometimes the best way to get advice about your future is to go to the people in your life who know you best. If you have applied to a slew of schools and you’ve received a handful of acceptance letters, but you’re having trouble with this decision, chances are that your parents, your guardians, and even your closest friends can help you. These people know you best, and they will help you decide what college would work for you. By sitting down with those closest to you, explaining what you’re most passionate about, and asking their advice, you can work with somebody you trust on the next step towards your future. A conversation about your plans can help resolve a lot of the confusion and frustration over the choices you have to make. So don’t be afraid to be open to those closest to you. They want to help you succeed!
In the end, wherever you decide to go, it’s important that you feel comfortable. College is a time to really focus on yourself, and what you want out of life. This can mean the types of friends you make, the classes you sign up for, or just the lifestyle that fits you best. If you are still struggling with how to make these big decisions, that’s not a problem. Check out this handy guide on our website, and similar blogs like it, to get more insight about what to do for your future. At NSHSS, we’re here for you!