As soon as the school year comes to an end and the summer begins, seniors start preparing for their future. By this time, most have found colleges, written essays and made plans for what they want to do and what careers they want to pursue. This marks a great shift in their life. This is when they start to specialize in their future profession. Most students leave their hometown to truly begin the journey of independence.
Seniors must make many important decisions during their senior year that will affect the rest of their lives. Including which college they are going to and what majors they are taking. Along with reflecting on what they would have done differently to prepare for college.
Most students know a parent or relative who went to college somewhere nearby; like the University of Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky University. Many students will follow that path but some people decide to take their future in a different direction, and go to other countries for college.
“I plan on going to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,” Hans Just (12) said.
Some students are planning to go to universities within the area, but are far enough away from parents and family. They are able to learn independence but still be close enough to visit over long weekends.
“I plan to go to Miami of Ohio,” Charlie Herfel (12) said.
There are a myriad of reasons students go to college but without a doubt the main reason is to get a degree and gain access to the type of jobs they would like to do. These careers vary from professions like doctors, physical therapists or businessmen.
“I want to be an accountant and get my CPA,” Herfel (12) said.
One thing that many students wished they had done earlier was take classes that matched what they wanted to pursue in the future. These classes would be helpful for when they get to college to ensure that they have a good knowledge base.
“Taking business classes in high school,” Herfel (12) said.
Another piece of advice to younger students was to take the test that will take up the least amount of time as well so they can focus on other vital activities. Most colleges take both the SAT or the ACT which is why students should take the one that would be easier or better for them.
“Take the SAT instead of the ACT, it’s way easier. You have a lot more time on each question,” Just (12) said.
In the end, the most important thing for students is to take classes and pick their major based on what they want to do and what they find interesting, so that student’s passion for that keeps them from burning out halfway through college and feeling like they have to do it for the rest of their life and end up miserable.
“Just take classes that interest you,” Herfel (12) said.
