Graduating high school and moving on to college is a major transition in any young person’s life so check out this article on picking a University: 4 top tips for high school graduates.
Your college experience can shape your future and much of who you are as a person, which means that choosing the right school is an important step of the journey.
Every school is as different as individual students, and it can take a lot of research and question asking before you find the perfect match for you, your needs and your goals in life.
Here are a few tips to help you ensure you make the best decision for yourself.
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Visit in Person
You can only really get a feel for a school if you’ve been there in person.
Visiting campus will allow you to see what the environment is like, view the lecture halls, explore what amenities are available (like labs and libraries) and even get a feel for the atmosphere and the types of students who attend.
Keep your eyes open for university open days that you can attend and make the most of those opportunities to ask any questions you have.
Research Available Courses
Naturally, the most important aspect of your academic experience is the course you’re enrolled in, and for the sake of your future career, you’ll want to make sure you pick the right one.
If you already know exactly what you want to do, this makes it easier to pick a school that offers the exact course and classes you want and need to take.
If you’re not certain about a course or career path, you might want to pick a school that offers great courses on a variety of your interests.
For example, if you love languages, a school with great courses in English literature, translations and linguistics could be a good option.
Check Out the Library
When you’re a student, and especially if you reach postgraduate level, your university’s library will become your best friend.
A campus that boasts a great library with a vast expanse of books and journals is going to make your life a whole lot easier.
In terms of comfort, you might want to pick a school with a library you feel extra comfortable in.
The space should be quiet and spacious enough to accommodate a number of students without feeling overcrowded.
You might want to be on the lookout for a café nearby on campus for your study-time caffeine fix.
Consider Clubs and Societies
Academics aren’t the only factor that will form your college experience.
We all have interests outside of school and hobbies are an important part of life – we need to be able to express ourselves and break away from the pressures of school and work.
Check out what clubs and societies different universities offer.
From sports teams to book clubs or even chess clubs, if there’s something there that interests you, it should be a big plus point.
You’ll be able to meet like-minded people and manage your stress levels outside of school hours.
