Help! I Don’t Have My Heart Set on a College!
Q: What should I do if I don’t have my heart set on a college?
You’re a senior preparing your college applications for submission- however, you do not have a number one that you are dying to get into. Unlike your friends, you never pictured yourself living in any of the schools you researched or visited. While this situation feels infrequent, it is in fact very common. You are definitely feeling a sort of apprehension in leaving home and going away. You want to move on to the next step of your life, but leaving the safety net of your home at PRHS seems foreign and utterly horrifying. The uneasiness you are feeling about this big switch could hold you back from feeling strong love and emotion towards any college or university.
In order to make yourself more comfortable with this process, you have to familiarize yourself with the schools. Look up the schools on Instagram or Twitter, or even look under the college’s tag to see what students post. There, you may find the different perspectives of the school. You will be able to see what they do and what they think of their school. You may be able to picture yourself doing the same thing. Many schools also have shadow days, so go shadow a current student to see the student life, what food they have to offer in the cafe, or even make friends with those you meet.
Most importantly, do your research! Do not just apply to the college because it is one of the tops for your major or it has a certain reputation. Look at the different extra-curricular you can get involved in. This could help you fall in love with aspects of certain schools, or even a school in its entirety. Remember that college is not just dorm life and classes. You need to do something with the free time given! Do your research on the surrounding town or city- for some, the presence of Insomnia Cookies could make or break the college experience.
Right now you may not love the colleges you are applying to, which is fine- not everyone does. While some are ready to move in tomorrow, others are nervous for the change. You may not love any school or have that feeling in your stomach. But if your gut is telling you right now to apply, there must be something that appeals to you that as time comes closer could lead you to fall utterly in love with this school.
