College application deadlines are swiftly approaching. The exciting part of the college search is almost over. Figuring out where to go is a lot more fun than figuring out how you’re going to go there.
While looking at schools, there are a few things that I’ve noticed—there are three “C’s” to choosing the right college:
- Connections
- Competition
- Craft
Regardless of what major you are pursuing or where you plan on working, the connections that you are going to make in college will (hopefully) jumpstart you into a career in your subject of choice. These connections will continue through your college life and probably into your professional life. Making those connections are incredibly valuable and will really make a difference in the long run. Don’t be the vegetable in the back of the room. Communicate with your peers and really push yourself to impress people so that they want to work with you down the road.
Competition is huge. In eighth grade, I ran track. When I ran on the field, I would consistently get personal bests. But when I ran alone, my times would be slower than I’d like. The difference was this: on the track, there was someone always behind my shoulder (or in front of it) who was pushing me to take it to the next level. Alone, I didn’t have that driving force. This is something that everyone is going to need to experience in higher level education so that they can get where they want to be. When choosing a college, being pushed by your peers is going to make both you and your peers better at your specified major.
Obviously, if you go to college and don’t learn how to do the job that you want to do, then you are wasting your time and your money. You need to be going somewhere with one-on-one teachers, in small class sizes. That way, you can get valuable feedback from industry professionals, as well as close-knit relationships with peers. This will only help you create those valuable connections and compete on a very intimate level.
Connections, Competition and Craft. When choosing a college, you need to be taking all of these into account. But, in all honesty, college is what you make out of it. If you try to be your best, then you will succeed. If you don’t, then you will be wasting your time and blowing thousands of dollars. Colleges these days are intense institutions that favor the students who are looking for more. Take advantage of that.
Ethan Dayton
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
*Editor’s Notes are published the first and third Friday of every month, as well as the Friday that an issue is released.
