AvaWeis

As the new year begins, the feelings of stress and uncertainty regarding the future and college tend to increase for seniors. Balancing finding a roommate, choosing a college and applying for scholarships all while keeping up with school work and activities is a challenge. 

Everyone has a different experience with the college search process. According to the Network Google Survey, 64% of seniors thought that finding a college was very stressful or somewhat stressful, while only 36% thought it was not stressful at all.

Senior Aubrey Thompson talks about her experience finding a college, saying, “I knew that I wanted a smaller school so that I could feel a smaller sense of community.” She wanted to find a college where she could major in both Spanish and nursing, as well as a school that encapsulates Marian’s tight community. When she could not find this environment near home, she began to look at other schools outside of Nebraska. 

As her search for the perfect school began, Thompson attended the career fair last May. This allowed her to talk with people who have gone to college and know what to look for in the search process. “Originally, I had toured schools closer to home.” Thompson then sat down with her parents and created a list of her top college choices. 

The next step for Thompson was to go and tour those schools. For her, it was important to visit the colleges in real life and get a sense of what campus life is like. After touring, asking questions and doing her own research, Thompson narrowed her schools down to her top three using a pro and con list. She was then able to make her final decision, Rockhurst University. 

Thompson felt like this was the right choice for her because she could double major in Spanish and nursing, had family nearby in Kansas City and was able to experience a smaller college environment with only about 3,500 students attending. 

Ultimately, everyone will follow different paths to finding a college. Some have known since childhood where they will attend, and some still are not sure. Attending college fairs, touring many schools and conducting research on social media or the school’s website, can all make this decision clearer.