Every student dreams of going to the best college but choosing and successfully getting admission to the college of their dreams requires a lot of planning and strategizing. It is therefore very easy for students to get confused and overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of their decision. It is also very difficult for most students in high school to decide with some finality about what they want to do in their life going forward. But it is perfectly normal to have these doubts and concerns. The best way out of this confusion is to take some time to assess your strengths and interests and then begin your search for college.
Setting Realistic Goals
The most important task is, to be honest with oneself and about one’s strengths and capabilities. Children broadly have a fair idea of interests, aspirations and most importantly their temperament by the time they reach high school and the college where they want to go should be chosen keeping all these factors in mind.
Students who are somewhat clear about what they want to pursue later in life should look for institutions which meet their needs. Thus a student interested in pursuing Design as a career can look at institutes offering courses in different aspects of the field of Design from textiles to accessories to lighting. Others who are not so sure about their future should focus on institutions which offer a variety of courses so that they gravitate towards what fits them the best as they move forward in their college years.
Parents naturally have a lot of fond memories of their college years. There might also be some of us who are ever ready to research and nudge our child towards a college which according to our perception seems best for them. But it will be more worthwhile to use that knowledge and experience to find a place that is the right fit for the child, as per their true capabilities and desires.
Finding the Right Fit
Finding the right fit, thus, is very important, as the college years not only pave the way for the student’s professional journey but very many aspects of his/her life ahead. Going beyond what various colleges and institutions have to offer students should be encouraged to reflect more on their personal and educational needs. Parents and teachers can help students understand the professional workspace and skill sets required to succeed there.
The search for college ultimately has to be in sync with what the student envisages for his/ her future. The needs, preferences and interests of the student are the factors which should decide the right fit for each student.
Researching is the Key
There is an immense amount of information available about colleges and universities but students still have to research and find out what suits their purpose. The location, majors and programs, the people on campus, opportunities outside of the classroom, cost and funding opportunities are some of the factors which should be considered by students while making one’s college list.
Learning more about colleges and course options available helps students to plan early for meeting the various admission criteria. Researching also helps in finding more about funding opportunities including scholarships, grants and financial aid, if available. Additional costs like housing, meals, and transportation should also be budgeted. The ultimate aim of a college education is to make students ready for the professional world, so also research the support provided by the college in terms of job fairs, on-campus interview opportunities and helping students develop soft skills.
Taking the First Steps
High school years are perhaps the best time to start thinking about and preparing for the College Search process. As the student starts identifying the areas of study which interest and challenge him/her it is time to start thinking of institutions where these fields of study can be pursued. The aim must be to find the right college and the key factor in finding the right College is information. Researching the potential Colleges will help in setting up long-term goals like getting the grades and test scores necessary to get into that college or university.
High school years can also be effectively utilised to pursue hobbies, extracurricular activities, interning and volunteering. Activities beyond academics and grades help a child discover interests and causes which may go on to become lifelong pursuits. These forays outside the home and school environment also help the children meet new people, make friends and also find and bond with mentors.
Class 11th is a landmark year in the entire college search process. It’s the commencement of the last two critical years in school and by this stage, the post-school plans start taking shape for most students. This is the time to start scheduling testing exams and preparing for entrance exams. Preparing a timeline for the coming two years with various goals like scheduling the testing, mapping the entrance exam dates, admission deadlines and also the various school exams helps in reducing not only the chance of missing any important deadline but most importantly it reduces stress and last-minute panic.
In conclusion, the search for college no doubt seems a daunting task but systematic planning, realistic goals and some basic research go a long way in making the process much more manageable and successful.
