Article: - Oy! gives tips on how to choose the right uni for you
How to choose the right college/uni?
Choosing which
college or university to go to is a big decision and, like all big
decisions, there are lots of things to consider. What subject should you
study? Do you want to go far away? Is liking the look of the
extracurricular activities a good enough reason to pick that university?
It’s easy to be influenced by others – your parents want you to go to a
uni with a great reputation, your friends encourage you to choose the
one with the best nightlife – but it is your life, your education and so
it’s important that you make these decisions yourself. So here are a
few tips that will hopefully narrow down the search!
By now, you
will probably have discovered what you like and what you’re good at.
Don’t worry if these things don’t match up with your idea of a ‘proper’
university course; if you want to enjoy the next few years your best bet
is choosing something you enjoy, not something you wish you enjoyed! A
good way to give you some ideas is to complete the Stamford Test (found
on the UCAS website) or any other tests/questionnaires which give you an
insight into what courses might suit you. Discuss your ideas with your
teachers, guidance counsellors, parents, anyone who you feel can help
and once you have a preferred course in mind start putting together a
list of universities that offer suitable programs.
When looking
at reviews and statistics, be aware that the source may be biased. Check
out the Times Online and The Complete University Guide for impartial
information and good advice on different courses. As you examine
specific courses you will want to consider the entry requirements. Some
require specific grades, for others you will need to sit an entry test.
Whilst it is good to aim high it’s also a good idea to look at some
universities that have more feasible requirements so that you have a
backup plan if all goes wrong.
Once you have a list of courses
start doing some research into the universities themselves. Contrary to
many parents’ dreams, every second of every day is not spent studying,
so therefore it’s important to look at the activities available so you
know you’re heading somewhere that you’ll enjoy. Good sports facilities?
Lots of night clubs? Choirs and orchestras? Whatever it is, try and
find universities that have something you can be a part of, because
you’ll find once you are there it’s one of the best ways to meet people.
Another big consideration is the location. Although it may not
seem as important, where you’re situated has a major affect on your
university experience and it’s essential to try and pick somewhere that
you feel happy to be. The solution to deciding whether you like the
university’s location? Visit it! It is so important to see where you
might be spending the next three or four years of your life. You don’t
want to turn up on the day and realise the area scares you, the
atmosphere makes you uncomfortable and your halls are situated 2 hours
away from the main campus. Obviously if you like the thought of this
then it is just as important to visit, as no university is going to
advertise that!
There are plenty of resources out there to help
you so try and be positive about it and don’t be afraid to go with your
gut reaction. Remember, thousands of students do this every year and
have faced exactly the same questions, so even though it may seem like
an impossible task it is perfectly do-able.
These are going to
be some of the most important years of your life and you owe it to
yourself to find out all the options and make the decision.