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Turn Off the Static



Is it Stranger Things, the Twilight Zone, or just starting your journey to college? Approaching the unknown or revisiting a place you thought you knew can be unsettling. As a high school student, the journey to college could feel like falling into the hole of mixed messages from what you want to do and what others tell you to do, whether from social media posts on offers to help package you to be the best college candidate or college talk among friends. Yet, all of the static noise can be avoided. Observation and learning from others are among the ways you and your family may begin to learn about what's ahead. While helpful, this may run the risk of casting a web of misinformation that skews and limits your view.

 

I'm a fan of asking questions and gathering resources and information. Yet, it can get tricky when the act of learning evolves into crowdsourcing and thinking that more is better, whether it's getting daily input from social media groups, family members, teachers, or even AI apps. While all of the input likely comes with good intentions, as you begin your college journey, developing your own discerning eye to filter well-meaning advice is crucial.

 

College tours also have their own kind of static. Blurring together similar college-highlighted features: research opportunities for all, study abroad programs, or the range of food offerings for the early-morning riser to the late-night bookworm.

 

So what is the answer to cutting through the fuzzy black-and-white? Step back from the noise. Turn your inner ear toward you and go to the source: the college and its website.

 

These tips will help you get started:

 

·      Begin by making a list of what your top priorities are beyond location, aesthetics, and weather. Start by looking for majors or academic areas you are interested in. While campus vibe and community are important to supporting your success in college, studying what you want or the ability to explore academic subjects can help you decide what is key.

 

·      What makes a major interesting to you?

Is it the type of courses offered, the professors who are teaching classes, hands-on experiences, career or internship support, or the ability to combine your many academic interests?

 

·      If you're undecided and need time to find what interests you, look at how a college supports students needing to explore. Are there independent majors that allow students to combine interests?

 

  ·     Are you able to apply to a college as an undecided applicant and declare a major as a sophomore so you can take not only general education requirements, but also courses in a variety of subjects you are curious about?

 

·      What does academic advising look like: once a semester, support in choosing courses, or as needed?

 

·      Your college list might not look uniform, and instead, may be a mix of schools that allow you to pursue your interests. For example, if you're interested in business, you may find that some of the schools you are gravitating toward have a business school, pre-business major, or economics major. Taking a closer look at courses and requirements and the pathway over four years can provide insights into whether a school's program syncs up with your aspirations. Some schools offer both a B.S. and B.A. in certain academic disciplines, so exploring the differences between the two degree options will be the key to determining your fit.

 

Beyond these tips, be yourself, follow your interests to see what activities they lead to. While it may seem that you need to have a curated list of activities and extracurriculars, dig into what matters to you, even if it feels unfamiliar or doesn't look like what everyone else is doing. 

 

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken" -Oscar Wilde- 


Looking for more tips and inspiration to help you start your college journey? dream.search.apply.A Field Guide for an Inspired College Journey is packed with insights and resources to help you navigate your college path, and is available to order online and coming soon to your local bookstore.




 

Know someone starting their college journey? Feel free to share or connect us at dane@collegeu.solutions 

















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