The senior year of high school is always stressful and nerve-wracking for students. Not only with graduating, but also preparing both mentally and academically for college. Junior year is when you start thinking about what colleges you want to attend, but the summer before and the year of graduation are when things start to pick up. Filling out applications, applying to colleges, working on scholarships, and much more.

Graduating high school is a big moment in one’s life, but attending and eventually graduating college is even bigger. College is important if you want to go after your dreams, whether those dreams be becoming a doctor or surgeon, a writer or journalist, a teacher, or even a hairdresser, you have to go to college and get a degree to become those people. 

Samantha Gott, in the graduating class of 2022, is hoping to major in Psychology at the College of Charleston. “I want to do 4 years of Psychology, and then after that, a few more years in child or school counseling. And maybe a few more years after that, but for now, that’s what I want to do”. Gott was sure about what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go that the College of Charleston was the only college she applied to in July, and she already got accepted. “That’s where I want to go. Charleston was set in stone for me. I didn’t want to apply anywhere else”. 

Most teenagers tend to stress about college during their senior year, which is understandable. A combination of nerves, excitement, anticipation can be very overwhelming and stress-inducing. The thought of possibly leaving home, family, friends. When asked about whether Gott was excited or nervous about college, she responded “I’m excited to leave and move to a new environment. Meet different people and see different places. I wasn’t really nervous when applying to Charleston, but it is weird because I’m going to be leaving Allen, which is where I’ve lived for my entire life”.

Choosing a college to attend for the next 4+ years of one’s life is a big decision. Many students have trouble deciding on a college that best suits their interests and skills, and many go into college without even knowing what they want to do or what they want to major in. 

Researching potential colleges and contacting college advisors is a big help in deciding where to go, especially if you’re struggling.

So if you need help, or if you just want to visit and float around, come and attend College Night hosted at Allen High School on Tuesday, September 14, from 6:30-8:30 pm. You can visit several booths and talk to representatives from each college. All high school students are welcome and encouraged to attend.