Overview
Confusing, Yet Fun
Choosing how to spend your life after high school has become a more complex, yet more interesting and diverse undertaking than ever before. Another way of putting it is, deciding on your future can be confusing, yet fun. Because, now more than ever... There are more career choices open to you. There is more money available to help you pay for college. There are more programs to help you get academically prepared for the challenges of college. There is more information available on college and careers, and there are more people around to help you make those all important decisions.
With all of this opportunity on your side, how could you go wrong? Well my friend, by not planning early enough. Planning for college helps you get prepared academically, financially and socially for college life. Planning for college makes you think about what you want out of life and how to get there. Planning for college takes most of the guesswork out of your future. Surprises are fine if they come wrapped in party paper with a card. Not so much if it means waking up one day and not having the career you wanted.
Why College?
On average you will earn 20 to 40 percent more money over your lifetime than people who do not attend college. A college degree provides entry into relatively high-status and high-paying technical, managerial and professional jobs. College graduates are more likely to be continuously employed.
According to a report published by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., compared with high school graduates, college graduates are more likely to have meaningful, interesting work and the freedom to make decisions; tend to be more satisfied with their careers; rate themselves as happier and more satisfied with life; and are more likely to attain leadership positions in their community and workplace.
The Right College For You
You should consider factors such as goals, values, learning styles, interests and relationships when deciding on a college. Here are some questions to ask yourself...
Why am I going to college?
What program of study do I want to pursue?
Do I want to go to a large or small institution?
Do I prefer the city or the country?
Am I willing to move far away from home if I need to?
Do I want my religion to influence my choice?
Would I rather attend lectures in big classes or have small group discussions?
What do I do in my spare time?
Who are my role models?
Do I want to work closely with faculty in research or other projects?
The answers to these questions will provide you with insight that should help you pick the college best suited for you.
Find Out More
The Student Center has lots of great information on Oklahoma colleges and universities, degree programs, the Online College of Oklahoma, college costs, financial aid, transfer students, adult students, career services and online resources. The Student Center can be accessed by clicking the menu in the upper left corner of this page.
Think You're Too Young? Think Again
If you are a fifth-seventh grader you still want
to start planning early for college. As a matter of fact, we experts here
at this Web site, recommend you start planning for college as early as the
fifth grade. Click on the menu in the upper left corner of this page to learn
more.