A shift from school to college is a big thing for a student, which comes with a lot of thinking. As choosing the right university is the most important decision for your future, you must consider some fundamental points before finalizing it. To make things easier, I have discussed 5 things to keep in mind before choosing a university in this article.
Once, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Benjamin Disraeli, said, and I quote, “A University should be a place of light, of liberty and of learning.”
And I feel there can be no statement truer than this because university life is all about this. You invest the most valuable years of life in a university intending to learn, enjoy the freedom to experiment and develop your personality.
Choosing the right university is one of the most imperative decisions of your life. As selecting the right university can define your future. However, this selection process brings on a lot of stress and excitement. A lot of thinking needs to be done when it comes to finding out the right university. And along with academics, there are many things one should consider while selecting a university.
So, to make things a little easy for you, here are some points that I feel you should definitely put more priority on while researching for universities.
- College Credentials
- Academics
- Extracurricular Activities
- Campus Life
- Academic Support
So, let’s begin.
College Credentials
The credibility of the university you have studied from extremely matters when interviewing for a job or considering different universities for further studies. So while researching the universities; you are interested in to make sure to check that they are accredited. It means that the university’s curriculum is reviewed by an officially licensed organization and has met the necessary educational standards.
Apart from this, also check if the university is accredited with a NAAC A+ certificate or not. It is a certificate granted to the universities that assure qualitative education. You can also see if the university has won any awards like best college for engineering, MBA etc. It adds to the credibility of the university.
Academics
The most important thing to consider in the university you wish to go to is that it offers the course you are willing to pursue. The university should also give related subjects to the program chosen as it helps increase students learning. You should see the standards of faculties at the university. Universities with PhD faculties from recognized universities like IITs, VIT, NIT etc., must be preferred.
Read about the course curriculum in detail, and see if the education provided through a hands-on learning approach and students have the opportunity to learn through internships, which help enhance their practical exposure.
Extracurricular Activities
In addition to academics, there is a lot more to learn from a university. So without fail, enroll in a university that has lots of extracurricular activities. There should be different activities at the university, and they must match your interests. Because when you are involved in likeable extra activities, then you are a lot happier. And they play a significant role in developing your personality.
So, firstly opt for a university with a lot of extracurricular activities. Secondly, see if those activities match up with your interests. For example, if you are a fitness enthusiast and there is no fitness club at the university, then that is going to be a loss of experience for you.
Campus Life
The university’s environment links to the performance of the students. As the university you settle with will be a second home for you for the next 3–4 years, make sure the campus life there is a lot likeable. So, to check on it, visit the campus and explore everything. In case you are not from the city, then see what hostel facilities the university provides.
On your visit to the campus, look at how is the infrastructure of the university. It will be good if the university is greener, as it ensures a healthy environment and brings in a lot of peace. Go to the canteen and try out the food there — because food is quintessential. Also, visit the library, the university must-have excellent library facilities. And for science aspirants, make sure you to see if the lab and computer facilities are advanced or not.
Academic Support
Other than education, you should also see if the university provides support services also. University should help you with good placements, learning and development centers etc. The learning center must help students develop soft skills and prepare them for group discussions and interviews.
And these were the things that I think are the most important when you are planning to choose a college. You should keep in mind that the meaning of the right university differs from person to person. So, you have to find the one that is the best fit for your needs.
Let me know in comments your views on this article.
Happy Learning!
