Find The Right College

As Spring begins, many students have already picked their college while others are testing or working. Finding a college program that motivates you to excel is important. College courses are meant to prepare students for full-time work in a chosen field. The classes you take need to add value to your future career. If you don’t know what your career looks like yet, that is a-okay You have the freedom to consider any and all possibilities. The internet is your friend in a college search. Simply searching for colleges in your city is a great first step. If you want to learn something in life, just do it. Many students would be surprised to find out that most professionals welcome the chance to mentor students towards a study field. As Spring approaches, MedQuest College wants to take a look at 5 ways students can find their perfect college.

1. Research College Programs

Once you narrow down a city in which you want to study, start researching the top schools. If you have a field in mind, i.e. Medical Assisting, you would locate and rank all schools with that program. Start with social media. See how schools celebrate their students and staff. This is a good indication of campus-life, which is important for many students. Look at graduation and job placement rates. If scheduling Is important, check to see if night classes are offered. Cost is a huge factor for many students, so be sure to find all tuition information. Some schools offer FAFSA assistance. Dedicated Financial Aid administrators and Financial Aid offices are great resources for new students when looking to cover school expenses.

2. Ask Your Past Teachers for College Advice

The teachers you work with up until the time you enroll in college courses are well-equipped to add perspective to your search. Schedule a brief meeting with a favorite teacher and be honest with them. Sometimes searching for a school can be overwhelming. Social pressures make students feel like they have a limited amount of time to choose. Do not give in to these influences. There is nothing wrong with being thoughtful and taking your time when choosing a college. If you have an idea of what you want to study, but feel like it might not be a good choice, see if your favorite teacher can convince you otherwise. Whatever you do, do not limit yourself. Curiosity is the kindle that ignites a career. Choose thoughtfully.

3. Introduce Yourself To New Teachers

Once you consulted with your trusted past teachers, reach out to the teachers at the schools you have chosen. Write them an introduction and ask what students can prepare for in their classes. Most college programs have department heads who oversee the day-to-day in that particular study area. Candy Owens and Cyndi Brock are the program Directors of the Dental Assisting program at MedQuest College. Reaching out to department heads shows real initiative in college applicants. Either look for e-mail addresses on school websites or simply call the school and ask for it. If you are feeling extra ambitious, stop by the school and see if the person is available to meet. If not, that is still a great opportunity to tour the campus and see what it would be look to study there.

4. Volunteer in Preparation for College

Volunteering is important when considering college because it helps you feel more confident “putting yourself out there”. Social anxiety is real. Feeling empowered to command a conversation in a specific field takes time. Learning to work with others and share ideas through volunteering is a great way to build confidence. It is also a great way to network with other motivated students and career mentors. Volunteering can take many forms and is available in every city. Getting used to going outside of your comfort zone in order to grow personally is vital for success in college. If you are really lucky, you will also grow professionally through your volunteer activities. You may even discover work that you love.

5. Get College Confident

Confidence is something that you create moment-to-moment. It comes and goes, but it is discoverable when you need it most. Developing confidence in yourself and future career should be easy if you took our advice on steps 1-4. Communicating is the key to finding the right college and perfect program. Being honest about fears or goals is a precursor to feeling confident. Confidence is about daring to do something unique and not giving into social pressures to feel a particular way about it. Colleges like applicants with confidence. Showcasing your ability to network and volunteer in an effort to be college-ready is impressive. In life, you write your own stories. Why not start now?

In conclusion, picking a college program is a discovery process. You spend weeks looking at schools to the point where your eyes hurt, but that work leads to good decision-making. Taking the time to uncover your interests and the schools that cater to them will pay off in the long run. There are college programs that fit every personality and schedule. Accelerated classes are available to students interested in maximizing the impact of their education quickly. Degree and diploma programs are available too. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to reach out to those who know you and you abilities for advice. After, that reach out further to people in the field – they want to help. With the assistance of others and a little confidence, students like you can achieve their dream or simply discover it for the first time.