by Barbi Peters

Created on: December 24, 2006   Last Updated: August 25, 2009

College isn't right for everyone and understanding that is always a big issue. Once you have decided college is right for you there becomes even more questions.
What school do you pick?
What major?
How will you pay?
After attending 3 colleges in 2 states I have earned a respect for questions like this. Only you can answer them, so take everyones advice, but keep it at just that, only you can make the decisions.

Given this, I will add to the advice you get. Just remember, I'm here now, your parents, grandparents, teachers, aunts and milk man haven't been here in a while if at all.
What school? Simple, you pick a school that has the major you want, period. I don't care how cool it is, how hard it is to get into or how much it costs, you go to college to get an education so pick based on what you want to get your education in. If you are lucky enough to have a few options on schools with your major then base it on the quality of the program, the staff, campus and community.
What major? Well what do you want to do? If you really want to run a head shop in a little tourist town then why study polysci? Again, pick what you actually want to learn about. Go to the schools website and check out what classes are required for a major you are interested in. I wanted to study music business, I found a school that had a music industry program. A year into it I realized I hated every class I had to take, even the "cool" ones. So I found a school that offered Music Industry Management, boy did that last word change the world. Every class looked fun and I wanted to take them all, and even better I could see myself using them in my future job.
How to pay? If you want it you can get it. Scholarships, loans, jobs, family do it all. When you graduate highschool send out an announcement to everyone you know. About 90% of your family will send money, 70% for the more removed family members. Why stop there? Send them to old teachers, past employers, church memebers, people you babysat for. They only cost a stamp and writers cramp, but are well worth the investment. Hell stand on the corner of the street with a sign that says you are taking donations to pay for college, if a bum can make over $100 a day you can too.

If you are lost on what you want to do go pick up "What color is your parachute" its a great book that everyone should read even if they think they know what they want to do.

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