Choosing a College

By Kori Wedeking

     Making decisions can be hard. One of the hardest decisions to make is deciding what college to attend after high school. Choosing what college to attend can affect so much in your life while you attend that college and even after you graduate. There is a lot of pressure on eighteen year olds to make the right choice. Although it can be hard, there are many things that you can do and several steps that you can take to help you find the perfect fit.
    According to U.S. News, there are tons of steps that all high school students should follow before making a final decision on college. One step is to be mindful of debt. Everyone knows that college costs a ton of money and almost everyone graduates college with debt. So, when selecting a college, it is smart to consider which colleges have low tuition and which ones will offer you the most scholarships. Money should not be the number one factor for why you choose a college, but it is definitely something to keep in mind.
     You major is a very important factor to consider. It is not wise to attend a college that does not have the major you want to pursue. College is a lot of fun, but in the end, it is about getting a degree in something that will become a career.
     Another step is to understand and get to know the extracurriculars you will participate in. For example, if someone wants to play a sport in college, they should get to know the coaches before actually deciding to go there. The same could be said for choir, band, and any other extracurricular activities. It is smart to know what you are committing yourself to before you actually get to college.
     Finally, when selecting a college, you should do some soul-searching and go with your gut. Try to figure out what you truly want. Do you want to stay close to home? Do you want to go to a big or small school? What do you want to major in? Do you want to do any extracurriculars? Once you answer questions like these, you should be able to narrow down your options. After that, it is suggested to just go with your gut. Do not over think it too much and simply choose the college that feels like home.