好色小姨

Sometimes I go to the grocery store, stand in front of the cereal aisle and feel completely paralyzed.

鈥淪o many choices,鈥� I tell myself. 鈥淭his would be a lot easier if we only had two or three boxes to choose from.鈥� 

Instead, there are dozens. Some of those choices are really good, like Lucky Charms. Some are pretty bad, like Bran Flakes. Some are really good for me, and some are really expensive. 

鈥淟ook at all the colors!鈥� 

There are a lot of things to think through. 

Do you feel that way thinking about where you want to go to college? It is great to have so many excellent colleges and universities to choose from, but it can also induce fear. 

鈥淎m I making the right choice? Am I going to get ripped off? What if I don鈥檛 like it?鈥� 

These and many other questions go through our minds as we labor over the decision. 

Try practicing some of the following tips to relieve that anxiety about making a big decision:

1. One college or university will not meet every need and expectation. Try to settle on 鈥済ood enough鈥� and not 鈥減erfect.鈥� Try to answer the question: 鈥淲ill this college satisfy most of my needs?鈥�
2. Once you receive acceptance letters, decide and don鈥檛 look back. Second-guessing yourself after the fact won鈥檛 bring you happiness, only regret. 
3. DO NOT COMPARE YOUR CHOICE TO OTHERS. You may have people in your life who choose a certain school for its name, location, or notoriety. If you choose something different, make that choice yours and stick to it. According to an article in Forbes, 鈥淵our choice will soon be your school, and it will provide you with incredible opportunities even if you have to remind people where it’s located. Focus on what makes you happy and what gives meaning to your life.”
4. Are you telling yourself you鈥檙e not good enough? This notion is probably related to #3. says, 鈥淐OMPARISON KILLS COMMITMENT,鈥� so don鈥檛 do it. No one has it all figured out, even if social media makes it seem like they do. 
5. The website says, 鈥淪tay focused on the fit of the school. This includes how it fits financially, academically, socially, etc. Don鈥檛 attend a school just because all your friends are going there. It is your education, and you should make decisions based on what is best for you. With so many colleges out there, you will definitely find one that fits!鈥�
6. It鈥檚 ok to research colleges and universities, take tours, and talk to others 鈥� but at some point, you have to take all the information and distill it down. What does your gut tell you? Again, ask the question, 鈥淲ill this institution meet my needs?鈥�

And always 鈥� ALWAYS 鈥� choose Lucky Charms. You won鈥檛 go wrong.

Sean Williamson is Director of Counseling Services for 好色小姨 University. Reach him at swilliamson@piedmont.edu.