If you’re about to start your senior year of high school, first of all, take a deep breath.
You don’t need to have your entire future figured out before school starts.
Every summer, high school seniors wonder if they’re already behind in the college search process. The good news? Most aren’t. In fact, July and early August is an ideal time to start preparing for college because you can move forward without the pressure of homework, deadlines and a packed fall schedule.
Whether you’ve already picked a few colleges or have no idea where to begin, here are seven things you can do before your senior year begins.
- Start Thinking About What You Want, Not Just Where You Want to Go Start Thinking About What You Want—Not Just Where You Want to Go
Before researching colleges, spend a little time thinking about yourself.
Do you want a large university or a smaller campus? Close to home or farther away? Big-city energy or a close-knit community?
The best college fit starts with understanding what matters most to you.
- Visit a Few Campuses
Campus visits can tell you things that websites simply can’t.
Walk around. Eat in the dining hall. Sit in a student lounge. Ask current students what they like and what surprised them.
You aren’t just choosing a school. You’re choosing a place where you’ll live, learn and grow for the next several years.
- Build a Short College List
You don’t need twenty schools on your list.
For many students, five to eight colleges is plenty. Include a mix of schools that feel like a great fit academically, financially and personally.
As you compare options, pay attention to graduation rates, class sizes, campus culture, academic programs and financial aid opportunities, not just rankings.
- Think Beyond Your Major
It’s perfectly okay if you don’t know exactly what career you want.
Instead of asking, “What should I major in?” ask, “What kinds of problems do I enjoy solving?”
College is about discovering who you’re becoming, not simply choosing a job title.
- Start Gathering Your Application Materials Early
Many college applications open before school begins.
Even if you don’t submit anything yet, you can begin drafting essays, organizing activities and creating a simple checklist of deadlines.
Your future self will thank you once your senior year gets busy.
- Talk With People You Trust
Parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, pastors, older siblings and recent graduates can all offer valuable perspectives.
Ask them what they wish they had known before college.
Their experiences may help you ask better questions as you make your own decision.
- Remember That College Is More Than a Degree. Remember That College Is More Than a Degree
Where you go to college shapes more than your résumé.
The relationships you build, the professors who invest in you, the experiences outside the classroom and the community you become part of often have just as much impact as the classes you take.
That’s one reason so many students choose smaller universities where they can be known by name, build meaningful relationships and grow academically, personally and spiritually.
At Northwest Nazarene University, we believe college should help transform your whole person, not just prepare you for your first job. That’s part of what we mean when we say, We Do College Different.
If you’re beginning your college search this summer, consider scheduling a campus visit or talking with an admissions counselor. Even one conversation can help you feel more confident about what comes next.
Senior year will arrive soon enough. For now, enjoy your summer, and take one small step toward your future.
