This is a response to Choosing a college or university doesn’t just mean choosing where to go!
Although National Decision Day, when high school students across the United States make their final college and university decisions, is months away, the choice they must make is undoubtedly looming over their heads. Having to commit to a place they’ve only visited once or twice while potentially leaving their friends and family behind is undoubtedly a tough decision. Which university is the best option, which major will the best future, and which campus does the best to eat. This one choice seems to control the entire trajectory of your life.
Now that I think about it, I think so. However, this seemingly permanent decision can easily turn into what you want, whether it’s changing your major or transferring to another university. The most important thing is what you are passionate about. What makes you feel comfortable, what will challenge you to a reasonable degree, what makes you happy.
As the original article emphasizes, it is important to consider which university offers you the best opportunities for what you would like to do in the future. But I’m here to tell you that it’s okay if you change your mind about your future career or plans in general. I came to university and was interested in becoming a psychologist. After learning how much additional higher education it takes to become a psychologist, as well as the graduate school process, I decided that wasn’t necessarily the path I wanted to take when I graduated. Now, as a third-year senior graduating in May, I look forward to exploring my options before committing. After the incredible opportunities I have been given, including studying abroad in Europe and taking globally related courses, I would like to teach English abroad at some point after graduation. I would love to get my masters someday, but for now I want to explore. Classic study abroad girl stuff.
It’s important to use this time in college to discover what’s best for you. If that’s switching after the first year because you’re having a hard time, that’s okay. If that’s discovering a new passion that completely changes your career plans, that’s great. If that changes your major five times because you’re curious about different subjects, that’s great.
This important choice comes with an incredible path of opportunity. The chance to be alone and learn what you want to do in the future. Making the choice can be nerve wracking because you don’t know what will come of it. As someone whose college experience is coming to an end soon, I’m here to tell you that your college experience is what you make of it. So do something you like! And know that it’s okay if that changes or if you make mistakes. Try new things, go to new places and make new friends. Have a good time, even if you’re not quite sure what you’re doing, because TBH nobody does.