To High School Seniors Picking A College, Keep This In Mind | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

To High School Seniors Picking A College, Keep This In Mind

Picking a college is really stressful even if you know what you want to do and where you want to go.

316
To High School Seniors Picking A College, Keep This In Mind
Upsplash

College Acceptance Day is approaching fast! May 1st is a little under 3 months away. While some high schoolers have known exactly what they want to do and where they want to go to college since the first day of freshman year, I'm sure there is a large majority of seniors who have no idea what the right choice for them is.

I also see this when I give tours at Penn State. Students don't know what questions to ask and often have no idea what they want to do.

Picking a college is really stressful even if you know what you want to do and where you want to go.

I asked other college students, ranging from freshman to seniors, what they wish they knew before they picked their college, and here is what they said:

"Actually go look at the campus and make sure it is the right fit. You'll know right away whether it's a good fit or not."

Going to see the campus is a definite because it's not always what it looks like online. Going to see the campus will let you see if you like the college and will give you a feel for whether its right for you or not. I think that you will get a feeling if the school is wrong for you, but I do not completely believe in the "this is the one" feeling, so don't worry if you don't feel that. Get to know the campus culture and make sure you are comfortable with it and will have fun going to school there.

"You can always transfer."

Sometimes you pick a college and after a few weeks or a semester, you realize the school isn't right for you, and that is completely okay. Picking a college isn't make it or break it because you can always transfer. Go to a school that works for you, and if you don't find your place, transferring is always an option.

"It's okay to go somewhere that scares you."

College is about what type of people go there, what you can learn from it, and what opportunities it will have available for you. If you live in Florida but want to go to school in Connecticut, do it. If you go to a small high school but want to go to a large university, do it. Don't be afraid to try something out of your comfort zone. That is what college is all about. And remember, you can always transfer if it's not the right fit for you.

"It will take time to make friends."

Finding a group of friends in college is sometimes one of the hardest parts. But just remember, everyone is in the same boat as you and is trying to make new friends. You probably won't automatically have a big group of friends just because you are living in a dorm. You need to be active on campus and join groups that interest you in order to find people with similar interests. Plus, having few friends isn't always a bad thing, sometimes less is more.

Just because all of your high school friends are going to a certain college, it doesn't mean that college is right for you. You can make new friends and still have your old ones too.

"It's okay to be selfish when picking a college."

Make sure to pick a school that has what you want and makes YOU happy. Your family members and friends are not going to school with you, so you don't need to please them with your decision. You need to find a school that has the academics, clubs, and environment that is going to make you happy and helps you succeed.

"The food is more important than you may think."

It might not sound important, but you can become pretty unhappy with a school if you are always unhappy with what you are eating. If you don't mind cooking, this can be solved by getting a dorm or apartment with a kitchen. But if you don't plan on cooking, take some time to see what food options are available and if you will be okay with eating that all the time.

"It's okay to not know what you want to major in before you start school."

If you have no idea what you want to major in, chose a school with a lot of options. If you can't decide between Broadcast Journalism and Marine Science, pick a school that gives you the option to try both. Focus your first two semesters on gen eds that cover a wide range of topics and see what interests you.


Yes, picking a college is hard. How are you supposed to know what you want to do for the next four years? Just remember, it is okay to be unsure and don't be afraid to ask for advice. If you have some friends currently in college, ask them "What do you wish you knew before you picked your college?"

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190623
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15128
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458025
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26715
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments