So, after two days of visiting schools in the Philly area, I am stressed. I am excited. I am scared. I am ready. I am unprepared. I am...in need of some help!!!
Ahhh, college. For me, it really does mean freedom from the confines of York County and a chance to finally move on with my life! I just got back from visiting Drexel, University of Delaware, and West Chester. I absolutely loved U. Del which was a beautiful campus with colonial-style buildings that were consistent throughout campus. It is home to about 16,000 undergraduate students and a two-hour drive from here (not bad when you need to go home for some home cooking!). Compared to the bustling-urban campus of Drexel I had visited earlier that day, U. Del was a nice change of pace for someone like me who can get overwhelmed with bus systems and city street names!
But, as I sat through three different programs, I realized how UNprepared I am. BS/BA-MBA? FAFSA? Majors? Minors? Co-ops? Study Abroad? What does all this stuff mean?!?! I was completely overwhelmed. Honestly, this surprised me considering I've spent many hours reading "America's 331 Best Colleges" and surfing the College Board and Princeton Review Websites. How do I know where I'll fit in? Sometimes, I can't even decide between a bagel and a bowl of cereal...and you want me to choose between schools?! I need some serious help.
So, in comes what I've done for the past two hours. After unpacking and sporting my new University of Delaware t-shirt (I really did love it there!), I got down to work. My desk is now a litter of lists of places I want to visit, confirmation letters, college books, and "Best Match" print-outs. I'm tired, and I'm stressed. Does this ever get any easier? Rising seniors, good luck...I daresay you'll need it! =)
I had the same problem when I applied to colleges. Know how I picked? The way I do most things in life: process of elimination. I'm better at knowing what I DON'T want than being able to pin down exactly what I do.
Also, if it's any comfort from this near-30-year-old, it doesn't so much matter what school you end up at or what you major in as what you do once you're there: how involved you get, the opportunities you take advantage of, how hard you study and socialize, etc. College... no matter where... is what you make of it.
haha i remember feeling that exact same way all my senior year..i didnt actually decide on my school until like may lol and it ended up being the last college i thought id ever pick...but as i count down the days until i move out im starting to feel the excited anticipation that comes from a big change in my life.
Believe me, i was just as lost as you are but things have a way of just falling into place. And a piece of advice, try to talk to someone who goes to the college you want to attend thats the best way to find out what its like.
Unless you're in a hurry to decide, apply to your 5-8 top colleges and see where you get in. When you visit these colleges in April, as an admitted student, the tables are turned. The colleges are working to get "you" to accept "their" invitation. Also, at these visits, you can talk to students, visit classes, etc, all as an admitted student. And, you can compare financial aid packages and possibly negotiate with your choice college. It's a different ball game when you know you could go to certain colleges and under what terms.
Thanks for all the advice, everyone! =)
I know I'm jumping in a little late here ... but my man-pal went to Delaware and loved it...of course he went there a loooooong time ago...like maybe when you were in diapers. Also, the one thing I regret about my college experience was not studying abroad (well and spending too much time studying and not enough time meeting people, etc.)You'll figure it out as you go along. No need to stress so much.