While choosing the right college for you can be the most nerve wracking situation that a senior goes through as the process is long and hard. My college story is unlike anyone's. In October of my senior year, I had my dream already set with attending school at Olivet College to continue on playing soccer while the thought of studying Education (like my mom). During the week of my graduation in May, Olivet decided after many hard years within the hardship of the education system and low numbers in the classroom for Education major in the upcoming years, the college itself called it quits of the major all together. I was devastated with the news that my new major was dropped. I had to decide whether to say and possibly take my basic courses at Olivet or transfer to a new college before fall semester starts. Being absolutely clueless on what path to take or what would be considered the “right path”. My mom went to a bridal party of a family friend and ran into the Aquinas College Women’s Soccer assistant coach who told me to come check out the campus and the team. So in the middle of June, I took a college visit to AQ and found my home. I don't think that I would be happier anywhere else. I fell in love with the openness of the campus, how in a small range the buildings are and the freedom of not being home but still knowing that I can go home whenever I wanted to.
Types of Colleges:
With my college process throughout high school, I had two list for what types of colleges that I would have wanted to attend. One list was if I wasn’t playing soccer and the other was of colleges that I would consider for playing soccer. The type of college that I wanted for being a traditional student would be a larger college and probably join a sorority. I would be probably be at Central Michigan University, studying a major that would be involved with children.
When deciding a college to play soccer for, it was completely different as I wanted a smaller college that would be more personable with my professors and coaches… I also wanted to have a life outside of soccer instead of it being a full time job while being at a Division 1 or 2 school. Being at a NAIA school, it’s not about traveling around to different states almost every weekend or during the week (of course, missing school) but more being local and traveling a couple of hours to play games. Typically we spend a weekend playing multiple games (conference or non-conference). This year we will be spending the first weekend of school and soccer in Chicago playing two teams (one on Friday and one on Saturday). It is a new change that will be happening this fall and I cannot wait to share with you on my adventures.
Ultimately, it is your decision whether what type of college you are wanting to attend. Take as many college tours as you want to get the experience of a small, medium, or large campus. Also, do a pro/cons list if you are unsure on the decision you are going to make. Do make sure that the college of your choice has your major or at least a route to be similar with your interest. As I am a Psychology Major with the Concentration of Child Life, my major of Child Life is slowing being organized to become its own title. Plus it is your life and your decision in the end (do not forget about that)!!
Class Sizes:
One things that I really enjoyed about Aquinas is the adaptability of the different sizes of the classrooms. With the ability to have smaller class sizes, I wanted to be personable with my professors whether than not just being a random person that a professor may not know. The class sizes are so different than being at a large university as my smallest class was eleven people and the largest class would be forty people. Many of my classes are standard while spending two days in the classroom once a week, others have been half online and then days in the classrooms. Be open on the willingness to adventure out with your classes to experience which professor is a great one or a not so good one. There has been plenty of professors that I have experienced that were absolutely amazing, who helped me develop as a student and professor that I struggled in their class who also did not want help their students even visiting their office hours. With the topic of office hours, if your professors does have available office hours, GO TO THEM! I cannot stress it enough, if you do not understand material or have additional questions... GO! Professors love having students come to their office.
Extracurricular Activities:
Find a college that will be able to make you happy in all situations within the social aspect. Whether you play IM sports (Intramural) such as soccer, basketball, or volleyball it will more or less keep you entertain and looking forward to in the week. At Aquinas, we have a convention called Saint Slam where all the clubs and organization basically recruit new members for their group. Of course, there is free food and tons of free items to take back home or to your dorm room. Also, dorm life is a lot of fun and probably one of my favorite memories while staying at Aquinas. I still keep in touch with my freshman roommate who is still one of my best friends, meeting her was a blessing!
I hope the beginning of school goes smoothly this next week or so (unless you started today)! Enjoy your last week of summer! Study hard and get your rest!
