As a high school senior, I think it is my place to share some of my knowledge that I have learned to help out anyone that is looking for help with....(dun dun dunnnn)....COLLEGE. This info is going to be for those who are looking at what they want to pursue for the rest of their life, and for those looking into colleges. It seems scary and intimidating, it is a bit of a shock, just know that it will all be okay! And hey, maybe this advice will be your saving grace....let's roll.
--Deciding What you Want to Do--
It's crazy...right? Having to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life in just 4 short years of high school. But that is the way that the world works!! So let us go with it. Personally, I decided what I was going to pursue at the end of my Sophomore year of high school. For deciding a future career or place of interest, do something realistic for you and your lifestyle, as well as something that you will love to do. It is okay to have multiple ideas for a future college major (because..wow, there are so many out there!) And colleges will understand that. They don't not accept students for being indecisive in a major, that is why they have an Undecided Program, where you go to that college and find out more about yourself and your interests, and then get an understanding of what you want your major in college to be. I am the type of person that knows what I want, so deciding what I was going to do was easy for me. But for others it may be a bit more challenging. My tips for thinking of potential majors would be to get to know yourself. So many people go through their life not even knowing who they really are. Find out what makes you mad, what makes you happy, whether you are shy or social. (just the basics..they say a lot about your personality). And then get into the more detailed aspects of your life. What are your hobbies, what do you see yourself doing 10 years from know, do you enjoy the idea of an office job, do you want to travel...the list goes on. Write these all on a piece of paper and review. And if you need to ask your parents or friends some questions about the type of person that they see you as ... then do it. They are on the outside looking in. They may see something new or different you would have never noticed before.
Looking for Colleges
This is the best part, it makes your really feel like an adult taking the next step in your life....because that is exactly what you are doing. You are designing your future! I believe that the college search should start during your Junior year, preferably at the beginning of it, so at the end of you Junior year and into that summer you have time to plan and visit colleges, so by the beginning of your Senior year, you are ready to apply. So....finding colleges....it seems harder than you might think, only because there are so many schools out there. My tips to narrowing it down would be to 1. go to those college fairs that your school talks about. There are going to be so many schools there, and it can't hurt. Just.Do.It! 2. use a website that will help give you options on majors and colleges. http://www.collegeboard.org/ <= this website is College Board (it is the website used to sign up for you SATs...so some of you might already be familiar with it) but there is a part of this website that will give you a little survey of the things you like and the characteristics you might be more drawn to in a college. For instance; school size, the distance from you home, in state or out of state, rural or urban, religious or not. There are many factors. This website will then take all of the answers into consideration and give you colleges that fit your responses. It is amazing to see what comes up. Then the next step would be to google that school and see if they have a good success rate of students and it they are good for your field of study. Visiting the school website is quite helpful, too! 3. Ask google the best schools in your field study. For me, I was asking google for the best Fashion Merchandising schools, and that gave a lot of insight and info that I needed to know. 4. Do not forgot that college costs money, and can be very expensive. Keep in mind that out of state is going to be much more expensive than in state colleges. Always check the tuition. However, do not let that number scare you, because there are always boat loads of scholarships that will save you your money.
I just want to reassure you that you do not have to go to the top school in the country that costs you so much money, just because you think you will receive a great education. Yes, your education would probably be great, but a great college does not promise you a great job, that is up to you. Go to an average college and do well and succeed, and you will end up with a just as nice job compared to a kid from a top school would get. College and the experience of getting there is what you make of it. Do not let it take over your life.
Take it all in stride...and good luck! Feel free to ask questions...I am here for you.
-Krissi ♡
-Krissi ♡