The College Search Solution
To kick off the New Year, I created a small list of things I need to accomplish, which in actuality is a plain piece of white paper filled with small phrases and words indicating things that need to get done. The glittery pink words written on this paper form a to-do list for the next 12 months. Within this list is a note about determining which colleges I want to apply to by the end of the year, (or more like September). This college search saga is a very daunting task for me, as I am sure it is for many of my classmates. At this point in time, I have 100% no clue as to what I want in a college. Close to home, far away, big, small, city, college town? I have no clue what I want or what I need in a university or college. I think the process of looking for colleges can be exciting, eye-opening, and thrilling especially when you find that one place that just fits you, but lately, all I have felt is stress and a want to curl up into a ball and live with my parents forever because any other option is just too overwhelming.
However, I think I have found a way that can help with these decisions. It is a simple and common idea, but I truly found it to be so helpful that I thought I would share in case someone hasn’t thought of this incredibly useful tactic yet. I have created a massive pros and cons list, almost like a compare and contrast diagram, in google slides that I am constantly writing things on, and deleting things as my head organizes and tries to make sense of the different aspects I may like or not like about a college. As I learn something new about a college or myself, I change some slides and create a new ranking of schools.
Up until this point I had been completely sold on a new college every other week, convincing my family members that this college was the place for me until I realized maybe a different school was more fitting. Now all my family has to do is look at the slides I have shared with them and they know where my head is at during that small window of my commitment to being a Triton, Leopard, or Eagle Warrior at my “dream” college. Creating a list and typing everything in my head, helps me sort my thoughts and feel less stress and pressure over my quest to find the “perfect” place. I believe just utilizing this one system to keep your thoughts organized provides a world of a difference during this undoubtedly stressful time.
Here is an example of one of my slides!
College is all I seem to think about. Reading this gave me a huge sense of relief, knowing that it is not just me who is worried about the process. I feel as though we are given little to no direction when formulating our college lists, preferred/required characteristics, etc. As you suggested, I will definitely be making a pros and cons list, because as of now, I have 27 (!!) dream schools.Though many of us are experiencing feelings such as confusion, uncertainty, and stress, I believe it is for good reason. We are quite literally choosing how we will live the so-called “greatest years of our lives”. Personal growth as well as expanding our education is something we should be worried about. Thank you for elaborating on your forms of navigation, this post was so valuable!
ReplyDeleteP.S. SDSU! My sister got in there- it is beautiful!
I use this tactic also! At this point in my life, college is all that I am thinking about. It can become very overwhelming. We want to make sure we find a place that will best fit us, but that task is very difficult when there are so many to choose from. Having a place to go back to and look at all of the schools we are interested in is very beneficial. It makes the process a little bit easier!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a Type-A-person way of dealing with this :) Love it!
ReplyDelete