As college application season approaches our senior class, we’re faced with one of the most important decisions of our lives. Choosing the path we follow after high school. A decision many of us have been looking forward to, dreading, or putting off since we entered our freshman year. However, with application season right around the corner and commitment in the coming months, we’re tasked with factoring in some of the most important traits of our desired colleges and paths. One of the most prominent of these factors is campus life.
The first thought that comes into mind when students begin to make their final decision boils down to education quality and proximity to home. Students who plan to go pre-med or a field of biology are obviously more aspired to top medical schools such as UCLA or UCSD when reading in california. However, according to the National Association for College Admissions, roughly 25 percent of high school students don’t visit the college they apply to and end up committing to. Despite many factors being included, campus life, mental health, and homesickness are often what drives students to drop out or leave prior to attaining their degree. The ideal pathway from good grades to a college degree that our society has normalized is often jeopardized by the simple factor of mental strain upon some of the top students around the country.
So why is choosing a campus that best fits you so important? Finding where you fit in and adapt to a new environment is a crucial factor when deciding where to go. With a national average of 40 percent of students dropping out of traditional 4 years and jumping to 60 percent drop out rates when it comes to 2-year programs, enjoying your college experience is vital when deciding to conquer a mountain of education through the course of another long excruciating 4 years. Social development in these areas of education allows for a better sense of belonging to a community that pushes students through the tiring process of college. Along with this, mental health is one of the most important factors in school. Choosing the campus that makes you the most stable can benefit you more than any education could ever. An education can only get you so far if your mental stability won’t allow you to. Remember to consider your health when applying.
Despite education and personal development dictating the future of your career choice, remember during this time of application and commitment season, the importance of your stability when tackling this new challenge in your life. As students we have to put ourselves first before education in order to fulfill these goals in life. When applying this fall semester remember these factors when making your list of colleges you aspire to attend.
