Starting to think about your University future is not an easy task. The fear of not making the right decision or not having the right tools to know where to start can paralyze you, delaying your choice process. The intention of this blog is to give you 5 student-to-student tips, based on our experiences, to take the plunge and enter the process of choosing Universities.

  1. Start thinking at the beginning of high school 

It’s never too early to start thinking about what Universities you want to attend. Begin researching Universities and their programs as early as possible, preferably half-way through 10th grade or at the beginning of 11th grade, so that you have plenty of time to make informed decisions. Of course, your preferences and academic possibilities will change, but it will give you more time to focus your efforts and do deeper self-reflection exercises.

  1. Start doing some deep self-reflection

Take the time to consider what you want out of a University experience. What kind of environment do you thrive in? Do you prefer big or small Universities? Do you prefer a campus with many or few students? Do you like spaces with a lot of international students? What kind of values ​​do you want your educational institution to have? What are your academic interests and career goals? As you notice, you have to narrow down your reflections to the university topic, in order to differentiate them from day-to-day reflections. Knowing yourself can help you narrow down your choices and find Universities that are a good fit for you. 

  1. Start doing University research!

The first step is always the hardest, so just do it! Don’t forget to consider multiple factors. When researching Universities, consider a variety of factors beyond just academics. Think about the location, campus culture, extracurricular activities, and the overall student experience. You can ask people you know who have studied there or consult internet sources such as blogs, youtube videos, etc. This can help you find a University that meets your needs in all aspects of your life.

  1. Look for advice to overcome hardships

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your school counselor or college advisors for guidance and support throughout the process. They can help you guide your efforts, organize your ideas, and provide valuable insights and advice to help you make informed decisions. Don’t just seek help from college counselors. Also lean on the perspectives of your family and friends, the more perspectives, the better your decisions will be. 

  1. Explore options beyond your comfort zone 

Finally, keep an open mind and be willing to explore different options. Don’t limit yourself to just a few Universities, as there may be other options that are a better fit for you. Many times we limit ourselves to a few options that we had idealized, however, there is a universe of possibilities that can pleasantly surprise you. You’re young with endless possibilities for your future, take advantage of it and strive for the opportunities that can stretch you the most!

At Reach Best we encourage students to start thinking about their colleges in 10th and 11th grade. We offer you a series of tools that can help you in your process. By using artificial intelligence, our app can provide personalized recommendations for students to build their list of Universities. We also make a wealth of reliable, centralized information available to students so they don’t have to waste time surfing inefficiently on the internet.