Your senior year is almost here (or maybe it’s already started), and somewhere between your last summer plans and the first day of class, people may start asking you the question:
“So, where are you going to college?”
No pressure, right?
Maybe you already have a college list. Maybe you have one dream school. Or maybe your answer is, “I have absolutely no idea.”
Rest assured, all three are perfectly reasonable places to start.
As you begin your college search, it’s easy to focus on names you recognize, rankings you’ve seen online, or schools your friends are considering. But choosing a college is personal. The goal isn’t to find the college everyone else thinks is best. It’s to find the place that fits you.
Here are a few things worth considering.
Think about how you learn best
Picture yourself sitting in a college classroom. Would you rather be one of 200 students listening to a lecture or in a smaller class where your professor knows your name?
There isn’t a right answer. But knowing which environment helps you learn best can narrow your college list quickly.
Consider the life you’ll have outside the classroom
You’ll spend plenty of time in class, but college also means late-night conversations with friends, campus events, intramurals, clubs, coffee runs and all the things that happen between classes.
When you visit a campus, don’t just ask, “Do they have my major?”
Ask yourself, “Can I picture myself being here?”
Pay attention to how students interact with each other. With their professors. Find out what they do on weekends. Ask what campus traditions students actually enjoy. Those details can tell you a lot.
Decide what matters most to you
Before comparing colleges, make your own list of priorities.
Maybe you want to stay close to home. Maybe you’re ready for an adventure. Cost and financial aid may be major considerations. You might want strong academics, opportunities to study abroad, a particular sport or a community where faith is part of everyday life.
Your priorities don’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Give yourself permission to be surprised
One of the best reasons to visit colleges is that the experience can challenge your assumptions.
A school that looks perfect online might not feel right when you’re there. Another that wasn’t originally near the top of your list might suddenly feel like home.
At Northwest Nazarene University, we see that happen all the time. Students come for a campus visit and discover something that can never be captured on a website: professors who genuinely care about students, a community where people know each other and a place where academic, personal and spiritual growth happen together.
It’s part of what we mean when we say We Do College Different.
So as your senior year begins, don’t worry about finding the “perfect” college.
Start by finding a few places that feel right for you. Ask questions. Take a campus tour. Talk to students. Talk to professors. Pay attention to what excites you and what doesn’t.
You aren’t choosing someone else’s college experience.
You’re choosing yours.
