March Cover.indd - Saint Viator High School

14
MARCH 2013
Saint Viator High School
LOCAL
Low-down for college go-round
Objective advice for prospective college-bound students
Blake Hensley
Local Editor
Which college one should
attend is not a decision to be
taken lightly. The decision
impacts where one will live for the next
four years, what community one will
live in and ultimately prepare one for
the real world. A collegiate education
should be specifically geared towards a
student’s needs to help them strive in
their choice of major and provide a basis
for a future job. The best way to choose
this all-important college is to start
visiting and touring them to see if you
can picture yourself fitting in with that
college scene.
The best time to visit depends on how
early you wish to have your decision and
when you have time to visit. Typically,
the best time may be junior year, as it
is less time consuming during senior
year. Additionally, breaks may be an
advantageous time to go on your search
since it does not interfere with class
work, class time and the weekend load.
“I wished I looked at more colleges
in the summer than randomly during
the school year,” said senior Brianna
Escarda.
I can agree with Brianna first hand
because I have recently visited
universities during the week. Needless
to say, it takes tremendous effort to
catch up, and core material will be hard
to learn by oneself. However, the one
advantage of going during a school day
is that you are able to peer into a class in
session and imagine yourself in a similar
scenario for the next year.
Another tip would be to make sure you
have a variety of college experiences.
You should not only look into the small
schools, but also the large universities.
Personally, I always thought the
small school was my style since I had
attended private schools my whole
life. However, once I visited a large
university, I was more drawn to the
variety of opportunities and courses as
well as the close proximity of the classes
to the dorms. In addition, you should
visit many different settings: the rural,
suburban and urban to see which place
makes you feel more at home.
“Visiting different-sized schools has
given me a good feel of how big and
condensed a campus can be versus what
I feel right now
at Saint Viator. I
have to see what I
feel comfortable
in without feeling
like being drowned
in a mass of
other students,”
said junior Chris
Meehan.
While on campus,
I strongly suggest
you visit the office
of admissions and
ask for a studentled
tour. These
tours often take
you around the main quad, the standard
lecture hall, the typical class room
and selected dormitories. A student
gives you an inside perspective of their
college experience, offers you advice and
answers questions that you may have
regarding the university. The college
tour may ultimately sway your decision
if the campus draws you in and you
cannot find one thing out of place.
“The tours are less stressful and you can
ask questions about the school. Also,
with a guided tour you can access certain
buildings and areas you wouldn’t be able
to without a tour guide,” said junior
Ksenia Mack.
“It helps you picture where you’re going
to be for the next four years. When I
visited DePaul, I knew for sure that I
wanted to go there. It felt like the right
environment for me,” said Escarda.
Another idea is to have a relative or a
friend show you around the campus.
They can give you a more realistic
approach of the school without the rahrah
spirit that the student tour guide
may give. I was particularly uninterested
in a large university because my tour
guides only showed me the big picture.
However, my friend then showed me
around and made the school appear less
huge, maneuverable and manageable.
Art by Emily Jagmin
She also got me into the building where
I’d take my major courses and pointed
out where the Gen-Ed classes I would be
taking next year would be held. It also
helps if you have questions for them
because they will give an honest answer,
and you will not feel insecure asking
them.
College is a tremendous decision
that will not only affect the next four
years, but also the rest of your life. It
determines which path you will follow
and the important life decisions that will
come along the way. Just remember, it is
better to not procrastinate and put off
this monumental decision. I also advise
you to visit multiple sizes and locations
of colleges as well as walking through
it on a student led or a personal tour.
College will be your home for the next
few years of your life, so it is important
that you find your perfect match. Happy
searching!
www.saintviator.com