The idea of starting college can be an exciting and overwhelming feeling for high school seniors. Some are even eager to go to college, so much so that they join college video tours to get a glimpse of campus life.
College is a whole different experience than high school. The world seems much bigger and more challenging than ever. If you're going to live on campus, college is a giant leap in independence. That is why it is important to ask yourself how prepared you are to bear the pressures of college life. With that in mind, here are signs you're ready to commit to a college.
You know what to do in life
Picking a college major is a tough decision. You have to make sure it aligns with your skills, interest, and passion. According to a study from Pennsylvania State University, 20 to 50% of students entering college are undecided. But if you already have career prospects and have a clear plan on how to get there, you're definitely ahead of the game.
Some students choose to take the gap year before college, and the time off gave them a new perspective. Your time away from college can give you a better grasp on what you are most passionate about and the path you want to take in life. Whether you worked full time or took the time to reflect on your motivations and strengths before entering college, your experience will help you gain some direction on your future academic plans.
Depending on your chosen career path, look for a university that offers plenty of opportunities for degree advancement. These schools will work on the transferability of your previous work experience and prior credits. They may also offer accelerated programs or dual credit to reduce the years on your degree so you can earn as soon as possible.
You easily managed the academic and social pressures in high school
The first semester of college is basically the bigger version of high school. There will be a few homework, but your class schedule will define the entire structure of your day.
If you think you did great in high school, you'll certainly do the same in college. Being an A+ student does not automatically mean you're successful in terms of academic aspects. There are plenty of areas to influence your success in high school, such as extracurricular activities, volunteerism, and sports. Once you have identified where you're succeeding in, focus on enhancing that particular area. This will serve as your motivating factor as you move forward to college.
If you're having a hard time dealing with the pressures of college life, you can always turn to academic advisers, guidance counselors, and resident assistants for guidance.
You see college as a growth opportunity
College is a great time to try opportunities you haven't explored in high school. It offers a variety of academic fields and student organizations that will push you outside your boundaries in terms of academic and social involvement. Most colleges have a career center to help you look for internships and provide tips to format your resume for job applications.
Basically, the college offers a lot of avenues to help you navigate growth opportunities after graduating. This will help you envision the person you plan to become after your academic career, whether you plan to work or take postgraduate studies instead.
You're ready to take full responsibility for your self-care
Self-care is a basic requirement in college life. If the school you got accepted to is miles away from home, you have no choice but to move out of your home and leave all the creature comforts you got used to. This means you have to do everything by yourself, from the laundry, food, grocery runs, and other basic chores for survival. Without your mom to remind you, you have to ensure that you get complete hours of sleep and exercise and access to essential nutritional needs.
The worse part is that you have to look after yourself when you get sick. You have to go to the clinic by yourself and buy the medicines you need. So before going to college, you have to evaluate how you can manage each of these things on your own.
Moving to a new and bigger campus may be a lot to take in, but the journey is worth undertaking. Whether you're ready for the next chapter of your life, being prepared physically and mentally can go a long way. All the best in your college life and have fun.
