University life beckons.

AuthorMontesano, David
PositionEducation

THESE DAYS, the only thing that might be harder than affording a college education is choosing the right school to attend. Both challenges can feel overwhelming to young people facing down two of the biggest hurdles of their young lives, but worry not, for knowledge is power--and what is true for love also is true for college:

College is not a fling; it is a marriage. Flings promise fun and excitement, but oftentimes end badly. Lines get crossed; expectations are dashed; and people get wounded, when all they wanted was a little fun. College is a marriage because college is for life. In a sense, we never really leave college. The experience we have, whether good or bad, stays with us all of our lives and sets the tone for the decades to come. Where the right college match will prepare you to thrive in the real world, the wrong school can leave you frustrated and confused, bearing the load of regret, disappointment, and wasted tuition costs. In a sense, you have been preparing for college your entire life, so give your future self some love, and devote time to making the right choice.

Marry for love, not status. If you could go on a date with your favorite actor, supermodel, or musician, would you do it? Who wouldn't? It would be worth it alone just to see how impressed everyone would be when you told them. Status, after all, is incredibly attractive. Let's face it, though, the reality of dating a celebrity might not be so much fun--thousands of annoying fans vying for his or her attention; the jealousy alone might drive you so crazy you would end up wishing you could be with someone "ordinary," someone who would make you feel like you were the star. The "best" schools are celebrity schools. Yes, people "ooh" and "ahh" when you say their names in social interactions, but their priorities tend to be maintaining their super-images as opposed to treating each individual student with care. After all, they are famous, and you are not, so do not obsess over the "best" school.

Find the university program that loves you for you, the school that matches your values and specializes in the fields that you are passionate about. Each university pools their resources in different areas and is uniquely suited to help students thrive in those particular career paths, whether it is engineering, environmental studies, journalism, or creative arts--and the best programs are not necessarily at the most famous or most expensive schools.

Use mature standards. When...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT