2/13/2019 0 Comments How I CHOSE MY "PErfect" schoolPicking a college is the most stressful thing of every high school student. If it isn’t, you are lying to yourself. You spend your last two years of high school worrying about your GPA, course load, SAT and ACT scores, extracuricculars, essays, and applications. ON TOP of looking through over 5,000 colleges this country has to offer. HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU FIND THE PERFECT MATCH?
Sometimes you don’t. Not to sound morbid or anything. Some people have NO CLUE what they want to do, where they want to be, what size classroom they want to be in, how much they can afford to pay… because let’s face it: college is NOT cheap. 1. EXPLORE: do not limit your options. There are so so so many different places all over the country and if you are not sure don’t be afraid to ask around and do your research. A lot of schools offer similar programs but much different coursework which can make a HELL OF A DIFFERENCE. 2. VISIT: this may be harder if you are looking further away but is totally doable. You should visit as many schools as you can. If you are trying to plan a summer vacation, instead of going to the same beach you have been going to since you were five, plan a roadtrip to visit a few of the schools on your list and get to know the cities around it because that is where you may or may not be living for the next four years AT LEAST. When you visit, take notes, do not be lazy. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Think of what is important to you, dorms? city life? class size? campus size? atmosphere? weather? vibe? sports? clubs? food?(come on, you know you love food). Remember the interactions you have with people around and on campus because odds are that is how the majoirty of people in that area act. Take note of that. Take note of the distance as well, sometimes you may think you want to be far away and then realize it may take you a 5 hour flight to get home EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. If you like that, awesome - if not, maybe look at closer options and vice versa. You can ALWAYS find a happy medium. 3. RESEARCH: Once you have visited some schools you can start to compare programs you might be interested in. If you know what you want to do GREAT (it will probably change..but GREAT). Compare those schools majors and see which courses sounds interesting and what the different requirements are and see which will best suit you IN THE LONG RUN. This is a lot of money so make sure you are thinking about the long run not just the right now. If you have NO CLUE what you want to do- TOTALLY OKAY! Make sure the schools you are looking at have good exploratory majors and undecided paths because that will be VERY helpful in trying to pick a major down the road. Ask questions always if you are not sure. 4. FOCUS: Whenever you have it down to a list of 10 or so schools start figuring out the logisitcs of how likely you are to get in. It is totally okay to challenge yourself, in fact you definetely should, but you also totally can stay within your comfort zone. But now is the time to get your head in the game and looking at numbers. That is your test scores, GPA, and PRICES!!! There are costs associated with EVERYTHING for college, including APPLICATION FEES!! This is why it is important to only apply to schools you are serious about. Do not waste $50 on an application fee for some school you have no interest in. Come on, save that $50 for food… you know or books. 5. TIME: Give yourself time. Application deadlines can sneak up on you and you do NOT want to be rushed trying to write a personal statement, especially if any of your numbers are lacking because this can make up for where those numbers lacked… ahem… I have been there. The more time you give yourself the less stressed you are. PLUS this is your SENIOR YEAR!! Do NOT forget to enjoy it. You are about to be on your own. 6. TAKE ADVANTAGE: Take advantage of the free rides, food, and support. When you get to school your uber bill will be through the roof, as well as your fast food bills. There is no support like your family and when you are far away it does get harder to feel that support. College is amazing and you meet WONDERFUL people, maybe your forever people, but nothing beats family and life is short so take advantage of that. I probably missed A LOT, but you can fill in the holes. Do not worry. Worrying is stressful and who needs stress? Things will come to you and you will look back and think it was easy… maybe. Always smile, do not get discouraged, and always remember where you come from because that has shaped who you are and what you one day will become. You are beautiful.
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jULIE SONGERHey guys!! Thank you for checking out my blog! I am going to be posting about life tips, advice, fashion tips, travel stories, and social issues! I am currently a college student at the University of Kentucky studying social work hoping to pursue a career in substance abuse counselling! I appreciate every single person who reads this. ArchivesCategories |