I’ve met a lot of seniors who were in enviable anguish over trying to decide among multiple acceptances. If you’re struggling to decide among multiple colleges, here are a few things to keep in mind that might take the pressure off.
1. Don't expect to be certain.
In fact, expect to be uncertain. Selecting a college is a big decision. And big life decisions almost always come with some uncertainty. You likely won't be sure that you've made the right college choice until you get there, eat some dorm food, and get lost trying to find a class (it's happened to all of us). Don’t worry. Being uncertain just means you're giving this big life decision the care and attention it deserves.
2. Look for fit, not perfection.
I’ll save you the suspense—your college isn’t going to be perfect. A college isn’t a piece of fruit that can be free of flaws. You might get a roommate you don’t like. You might have a professor who’s not your favorite. You might take a class you don’t love, or choose an activity that doesn’t quite fit, or not like the way your dorm room is set up. People who love their colleges don’t attend perfect schools. But they attend the right schools for them where the benefits so substantially outweigh the negatives that they can work around the flaws. So look for fit, not perfection.
3. Know that you’ll feel good after you commit.
I’ve watched seniors be so paralyzed by the perceived enormity of this decision that they almost missed the May 1 deadline to commit. But even those students felt better almost immediately after finally making a choice. Once you commit to a school, the uncertainty is gone. You know where you’re going. You can buy a sweatshirt and start meeting future classmates on Facebook and investigate classes you could take. I know you’re worried that you’ll wake up 24 hours later and wish you’d made a different decision. You won’t. Take the time you need, ask for advice from people you trust, and in the end, remember that the vast majority of students are very happy where they go to college. Odds are that you’ll be, too.
Hollie says
Thank you! Very reassuring words to keep in mind over the next few weeks for all the students getting ready to make this big decision. I will share this with my student!