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A lot of college websites focus on those who have already been accepted to college. They give advice for buying school supplies and books, going abroad, and studying for finals. In my opinion, though, the most prime candidates are being overlooked!
To high school juniors and seniors, right now is the scariest their lives have ever been because when you choose a college, you are essentially choosing your new life. So I have a few tips for you high school kids about how to “get the ball rolling” during summer and your senior year.
Working over the summer
One option is to take a few summer internships or jobs. I know what you’re thinking: “A few jobs? Why not just one?” Here’s your answer: You won’t know what you like or dislike until you try it! If you’re interested in landscaping, apprentice under a local landscaper. If you like English, try working at a library or courthouse. If you are interested in business, look for a receptionist job in an office. This way, you get a broad range of experiences, which will help you rule out those areas that you thoroughly disliked.
If you can’t find a job that will actually pay you, consider taking an unpaid internship. The time you invest will absolutely be worth it. Granted, at entry level jobs, you’ll probably end up mowing grass, sorting books, or filing papers, but what really matters is that you’re exposed to what life is like working in that particular career field. Plus, the initiative you took in getting that job is great practice for the real world, and the extra experience will be an excellent resume booster for later in life.
Even if the two options above don’t appeal to you, there’s still hope. Spend some time with yourself to find your likes and dislikes. Do you like to read? Are you an artist? Do you want to help the environment? Do you follow stocks obsessively? All of these interests could point you towards potential careers.
Or maybe you just really don’t want to think about applying to college or working toward anything until you’re officially a senior. Though the application process will probably be more stressful for you than for your peers who started early, that’s your choice to make. If instead of an internship to explore potential careers you’d rather make money during the school year by working in a restaurant or as a sales clerk, then go for it. After all, it’s one thing to get into college, but its another thing to pay for it.
Getting involved in high school
My advice is to get involved with as much as possible! It’s your senior year. Some groups may have already had elections, but a lot of clubs welcome new members at the beginning of the school year and even hold special meetings just to recruit newcomers. Get your name out there, and have some fun in groups you never considered joining. Not only will it boost your college resume, but you may just find your new passion!
Still, getting involved won’t always help you decide on a career path or major, so you might want to consider taking a personality test or career matching test. These quizzes often uncover hidden interests and passions and help to spark new ideas. Most websites offer such advice for free, and it could help you pinpoint something you enjoy by simply answering some questions.
Thinking about your career path
Because young people are choosing their fate so young, it's hard to find something that they will stick with for even a few years into college. Changing majors is a commonality across the nation. The trick is to settle into something that you really love so that later in life when you wake up, you’ll be happy to go to work. Deciding on your interests is the first and most important step to finding a college that will really fit you.
To be honest, you’ll probably change your mind about your major (maybe even more than once), but it’s still important to have a general idea of what you like. After you’ve chosen some prospective majors, it’s time to focus on exploring and applying to colleges that offer those areas of specialization.
For those who are utterly distraught at the thought of choosing a major, don’t panic. You’ll have plenty of time to explore your options once you’re in college. Many students go undecided for around a year until declaring a major. During that time, fill your schedule with a multitude of different and interesting courses so you can widen your breadth of knowledge while finding your passion.
Finally applying
There are thousands of colleges out there. Some are big; some are small. Some are in rural settings, while others never sleep. If you definitely know what you want to do, this is all about preferences and decisions. Here are some things to consider when choosing a college:
- Cost (Sadly, this can never be ignored)
- Location (How far away from mom and dad?)
- Girl/boy ratio
- Student/teacher ratio
- Setting (rural/suburban/urban)
- Private college/public university
- Size or number of students
- SAT/ACT score range (just so you don’t apply to Harvard with a 440 in Reading)
- Application costs and deadlines
- Greek Life
- Athletic programs
- Housing capabilities
- Acceptance rate
Choosing a college and a major is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. At the same time, though, understand that everyone else is just as confused as you are, so there’s no reason to worry. For most students who aren’t quite sure what they want to do, the answer comes to them gradually, oftentimes before they even realize they’ve made a decision. So while it’s important to do some soul-searching, it’s also important to enjoy the ride, rather than spending all your time stressing about your future.
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