Dear almost-graduated high school senior,

May 1 is around the corner, and that means it’s time to make that college decision. If you are anything like I was, you are panicking because you have absolutely no idea where you want to go or what you want to do with your life. And the inevitable decision you must make is eating away at you.

But I am here to tell you that you don’t need to stress anymore. In your heart, you know where you belong. When you look at the schools you got accepted to, just ask yourself ‘Where do I want my home away from home to be?’ You have to be brutally honest with yourself because the school that you know you should go to may not be the school that you always thought you would end up at. And that’s okay. But you need to allow yourself to make this decision as honestly as possible.

Think about what matters most to you, whether it’s academics or proximity to home or the opportunity to play sports, and then weigh the pros and cons. Make lists if you have to. But don’t add anything to the list that is someone else’s opinion. This has to be all you.

Whether you applied to two schools or you were like me and applied to 15, deciding where you want to go to college is extremely difficult. The best advice that I can give, having gone through it, is to give every school a fair chance before you discard them. Really look into what each college has to offer and write it down. You might be surprised with what you find.

Now, no matter what school you choose, the most important part of this decision is standing behind your choice whole-heartedly. If you don’t commit to the school you choose, and spending your time toiling over what might have been, you will lose the chance to fall in love with the school you picked. You belong at your school, no matter which one you pick. When you get there that first day, look at the school like a bright-eyed kid, because the more you let yourself enjoy it, the more you will actually love it. You can find your place in any school if you really make the effort; you just have to let yourself be okay with your choice and then put 110% in to making it your home away from home.

Choosing a college is not the end of the world. You should be excited, not terrified. You are beginning a new chapter in your life. Enjoy the process, be honest with yourself and go with your gut. You will end up in the right place, as long as you believe it.

I wish you all the best, and I hope you find a school you love. Good luck.

Sincerely,

Someone who has been there