Researching where to study, understanding the admissions process, finding a college near you and choosing a course you are interested in can make what should be an exciting time in your life feel very stressful. With so many options and so many factors to consider, making a big life decision such as where to study can however cause some anxiety.
Here are some of our top tips to make your university selection process a little less stressful.
Understand Your Academic Goals
Taking the time to understand your academic, professional, and personal goals will help clarify which college is the best fit for you.
You can ask yourself questions such as: What subject fascinates me? What kind of career do I want to pursue? Where do I envision myself working in the future?
Get started by making a list of your needs, wants, and expectations for college. With this list in hand, you’ll be able to assess which colleges are more likely to suit your unique needs and goals.
Research Different Places To Study
Arguably the best course of action when looking for an institution to study is to gather as much information as possible about the colleges and universities that you are interested in. Visit their websites, read articles about them, attend open days and ask students from those universities questions about their experiences.
If there is an institution that catches your eye, make sure that you find out if they’re offering what you need and whether it aligns with your goals and plans for the future. In an age where we have so much information at our fingertips, it is important to use it to our full advantage.
Head to our Where To Study directory to find out more about places you can study further.
Attend Open Days
In order to get a proper feel of a college, it is best to visit the campus in person. If this isn’t possible and you’re looking at institutions a little further from home, you can always access the university's website for a virtual tour or map of the campus.
Seeing the campus in person can give you can idea of what the environment is like, what the students are like and what it may feel like if you were a student there. Attending an open day or viewing the virtual tour will give you valuable information about what the student life is like there.
Check out our Events Calendar to find the latest university and college events, such as Open Days and Career Days.
Evaluate the Cost of Each Institution
Tertiary education is expensive, and there are a lot of external costs to consider besides the annual fees. If you're considering a list of colleges, it's essential to compare the cost in terms of fees, as well as any additional expenses such as textbooks and technology (laptops and data), living expenses and transportation.
Knowing the annual tuition of each institution can help you determine whether it is the right choice for you. Some colleges even offer financial aid, so be sure to research that option if you need to.
While NSFAS does not provide financial aid for students wanting to study at a private institution, Fundi is an option for students wanting to study at private colleges such as Damelin and Boston City Campus. Once you know the baseline cost for each college on your list, you'll have more information make it easier to narrow down your choices.
Consider Other Factors, Like Location and Student Life
Location and student life can often be two important deciding factors when it comes to selecting a college. If you're considering colleges in different cities or provinces, think about how this may impact your experience.
Is the distance from home short enough that you can drive in or find transport every day? Does the college offer resources for students who live off-campus? Understanding the college’s student life, from living options to sports and other activities offered, can also provide essential insights into whether or not a specific college is right for you.
Good luck on your journey!
