Signs That You Found The College of Your Dreams

By Catherine Muscaro on August 1, 2016

College: it’s one of the most exciting, stressful, eventful, and exhausting times in your life. It can be the best four years, or a complete flop. It can be the beginning of forever, or it can be the stepping stone to something bigger and better. College is many things; but, as anything else, it is what you make of it.

There are a lot of important factors to consider when taking one of the first monumental steps toward adulthood, one of them being where. Where in the country (and all over the world) are you going to find the campus to call home?

(image courtesy of emersonprep.org)

While the question may seem daunting (like hours spent on the computer comparing tuition, dorms, majors, and campus-size), there are sure-fire signs that you’ve found the college of your dreams.

It has your major. Obviously any school you look into should have your intended major. Otherwise, it’s pointless to even schedule a visit. Keep in mind, however, that a lot can change in four years. This is easier if you plan on choosing an open-ended major, like business or political science, but may seem more looming if you pick a demanding degree, like something in the medical field. Make sure the school of your choice peaks a few diverse areas of interest (just in case you don’t stick with biomedical engineering).

The size is right. While Ohio University may have the same amount of students enrolled as Bowling Green State University, the campuses feel immensely different. BGSU is a bustling, little town filled with a lot to do — most of which is in walking distance. OU has a small-town feel, and most of the more fun things to do require a bit more of hike (literally).

Then there’s city-based universities, like Ohio State, that may be downright overwhelming or absolutely exhilarating. Then we have extremely small colleges (with as few as 1,000 students) that could bore you to tears or appeal to your sense of community. Whatever the case, you should feel at ease in terms of number and size.

The distance is manageable. Ohio University is three hours from my home, but a whopping eight hours from my boyfriend’s. Bowling Green is an hour and a half away and some other local universities are as close as 45 minutes from my humble abode. The amount of time it takes you to travel back home is something to consider, whether you plan on making a visit every weekend or only over break. And while it may seem to tempting to travel two states over to get some independence, remember that you most likely will miss your family or home at some point. Don’t pick a college just for distance!

You’re interested in the extracurriculars. Whether it be Greek Life, volunteer programs, language clubs, writing publications, intramural sports, or religious organizations, what you choose to do outside of your time in the classroom is essential to maintaining your happiness.

Not only does it improve your resume and help you time manage between social, academic, and campus life, but gives you a sense of purpose and direction. When you go for a visit, collect any and all pamphlets, and really take the time to research what your school has to offer besides decent degrees and good beer.

Faculty is top-notch. And I don’t just mean with flashy degrees and big offices. I mean they are accessible, helpful, experienced, and knowledgeable in their field. For example, the director of my entire department of journalism at OU taught the intro class for all freshmen. Why? Because he wanted a chance to interact with us and present us with amazing resources and connections right off the bat.

It was cool to know that someone with his status wanted to work with us. The faculty at the school of your choosing should definitely be the best of the best, but they should also be there for you.

You like what the town has to offer. While I’m not much of a partier myself, I like the authenticity of Athens: the little shops, the local restaurants, the bricks, the community, the support for the LGBTQ and minority races, the open mic nights, the bike trails. It has aspects of life that I enjoy living.

My friends and I find unique little gems all over Athens all the time. Exploring a town like this one is never dull, and it keeps my heart light and my mind open. I truly don’t believe I’d feel like that anywhere else. Academics should be a top priority, but you should love the area you live in just as much.

You feel at home. From the moment you walk on campus, you should get a feel for whether or not this place can become your home away from home for a majority of the next four years. You should love the way it looks and smells. You should feel connected to the people. You should feel cozy in the dorms. You should be excited in the classrooms.

The college you choose should make you fall completely in love over and over again. It should be like no other place in the entire world, and it should be a place where you feel like you can grow, learn, and become who you want to be. Wherever you decide to go, there should be a sense of belonging that surges through you.

Bonus tip: Don’t let a big name school trick you into thinking it’s better. Sure, schools like OSU, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania look astounding on paper; but if they make your stomach churn every time you think about going there, DO NOT choose them.

My friend gave up a full ride to Yale because it just wasn’t what he wanted. Some call him stupid, but I call him happy. And to me, that’s the most important thing.

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