New Year, New Goals: Resolutions for Your College Search

We hope everyone had a safe and joyful holiday season! At the beginning of the year, many of us take the time to reflect on our lives and establish new goals. As you start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions, we encourage you to keep your college search in mind. 

In today’s blog post, we offer five resolutions that will help you keep a positive mindset toward your college search journey. Whether you’re a senior making your final decision or a sophomore just starting to think about college, these resolutions can help shape your college search.

Resolution #1: Keep an open mind.

The idea that there is one perfect school for you can create a lot of unnecessary stress: what if you don’t get in, or you can’t afford it? It can also prevent you from learning about schools that may not be on your radar but would be a great fit for you and your goals.

Resolution #2: Focus on what’s right for you.

This seems obvious, but your impressions of colleges can be impacted by a lot of different factors – where your friends are going, or which colleges are favored by other members of your family. The truth is, your college search is meant to help you find the college that’s right for YOU – academically, socially, financially, and so on.

Resolution #3: Avoid comparing yourself to others.

This resolution sounds easy but in the college search world, it can be anything but. Especially at certain points in your process, you may feel like it’s the only thing anyone can talk about. Try to avoid comparing your situation to your friends’, for your mental health – and theirs!

Resolution #4: Visit.

There’s a reason everyone encourages you to visit the schools you’re considering – it really is the best way to determine whether it’s a good fit for you. If you’re having trouble getting there in person, take advantage of the virtual visit options that are available 

Resolution #5: Have fun.

Although it can feel like a grind, your college search can also be enjoyable. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your search – spending time with family, seeing new parts of your state or the country, and learning more about yourself and your interests.