Five things to consider when choosing a university far from home
Considering applying to a university far from home? Here are five things to consider before making your final choice.
Today students have the choice to study virtually anywhere in the world. And, as your chosen institution can significantly affect your career in the future, it’s important to ensure you’re making the right decisions before applying.
Choosing a university far from home in particular is just as important as deciding on what degree to take. Studying far from home is already challenging, and ending up with a university that doesn’t suit your needs and passions will only make things harder for you.
Instead of learning or qualifying for an Ohio scholarship, enrolling in the wrong university can only cause stress and even demotivate you to continue pursuing a degree.
Make sure that this doesn’t happen by considering the following five points when choosing a university far from home.
1) Courses
When choosing a university far from home, start by checking what programs they are currently offering. You should only enroll in a university that offers programs that you’re truly interested in.
After all, what’s the point in studying in college if you can’t pursue your preferred degree? How can you survive four years in college if you don’t love your degree? Answering these questions can help you narrow down your options.
So don’t be tempted to apply for a college just because your best friend girlfriend or boyfriend is going there, it’s in a city you always wanted to live in, or is close to family. Instead, ensure that it will actually interest you and give you a qualification that will help you achieve your ambitions and get a job you’ll actually enjoy and be suited to.
Your answers to the following questions can help you choose the right university:
- Does the university provide additional services to help you succeed in college and your future career?
- Is the program you’re eyeing to choose allow you to further your education?
- What are your most and least favorite subjects?
- What does the university require from incoming college students?
2) Location
It’s common for college students to leave home for their education. During this time, you’ll have to practice independence as your parents will no longer live with you.
Depending on your preferences, you might choose to move into another city or even pursue a degree in another country.
If you have the opportunity to study at any university around the globe, take some time to ask yourself the following questions before making a decision:
- Do you want to live in a bigger or smaller area?
- Do you want to start alone in a university or would you prefer starting the school year with a friend?
- Have you considered the rent, transportation, and cost of living of the university you’re planning to move to?
- How often do you plan to visit your family? Is the location accessible to your hometown?
3) Finances
Attending college isn’t cheap. On average, your parents will have to spend around USD$30,500 every school year for your college education.
To ensure that your parents will not incur too much debt because of your college education, always consider the finances when choosing a university far from home.
Aside from the tuition, you should also consider the following when choosing a college:
- Are there any scholarships available?
- Are there available part-time jobs within and around the university?
- Does the university provide access to bursaries or financial aids?
- What else do you have to pay in a school year?
4) Environment
Once the school year starts, you’ll be spending a lot of time at your university. Aside from attending classes, you’ll probably have to join meetings for organizations, meet up with private tutors, and join other extracurricular activities.
For you to accomplish all of these tasks with ease, it’s important to consider the look and feel of the university you’re considering enrolling in.
Universities offer different amenities today. While some offer athletic and recreational facilities to their students, others prioritize providing conducive study areas. It’ll be easy for you to stay in a particular university if it provides you with the amenities you’re looking for.
To help you make the right decision, ask the following questions:
- Are the students in the university happy, enthusiastic, and proud? Do you think you can easily make friends with these students?
- Are you looking for a university that provides a park-like setting or a busy urban environment?
- Do you want a university that offers spaces wherein students are clustered together? Or, do you prefer a university with wide areas for lounging and studying?
- Do you want to study at a small university wherein all of the professors know your name? Or, are you looking forward to attending a bigger university that allows you to choose from a wide array of courses?
5) Accommodation
When choosing a university far from home, it’s important to look beyond just what the university itself offers, and consider where you’re going to live as you’re earning your degree.
The accommodation you’ll choose is important because it can affect your desire and ability to study, as well as mix with students.
It’ll be challenging for you to study if your accommodation is surrounded by too many noisy students. But, on the other hand, you won’t be able to make new friends in college if your accommodation is too far from your university.
There are many types of accommodation available when you choose to attend a university far from home. But for you to pick the best one for your needs, it’s important to consider the following:
- Are you comfortable with the idea of sharing an off-campus apartment with another person? Or, are you expecting to live on your own inside the campus?
- Do you want to live with a roommate?
- How much is your budget for your accommodation?
- How near is the accommodation to pharmacies and grocery stores?
- What kind of services or amenities are you looking for in your accommodation?
- Are cleaning, computer repair, games, and workout rooms essential to you?
Choose your university carefully
With the bewildering number of options available, choosing a university far from home can be challenging.
Because you’re entering a new chapter of your life and the whole idea of college may be alien to you, the chances are that you won’t have any idea how to narrow down for options, let alone scout for choices of possible universities far from home you see yourself attending.
We hope this article is a helpful resource for you to ward off stress when picking the best university far from home.
