By Caleb Kritchevsky, Staff Writer
With all of the confusion about college near the end of many high school seniors’ careers, some students may not know where to turn for help.
Should you ask your guidance counselors? Your parents? Your friends? Well yes, all of those are great choices, but there are around 130 qualified people right here at Reynolds that can help with any questions you might have. Every teacher and administrator at RJR has gone to college, and they are willing to help with college questions.
“Make sure you’re doing your research,” said Assistant Principal David Small, a graduate of Appalachian State University.
After all, knowing a lot about where you’re planning to attend college is probably the most important thing in order to ensure a successful and satisfying college career.
“Some people may need to mature before going to college; maybe community college is the right choice instead,” Small mentioned.
This is also a very good option this day and age. Two years of community college followed by two years away at college may actually be a smart choice for a lot of students who want to save money or perhaps also work while attending classes.
“The most expensive university may not always be the best option,” said Latin teacher Gregory Beam, a Duke University graduate.
“If I were choosing colleges right now, I wouldn’t be able to afford Duke because of the tuition and student loans,” Beam added with a sigh.
Student loans are a huge concern for many people, and should also be taken into consideration when choosing a school. According to information from government data and the financial aid experts at Edvisors, the college class of 2014 graduated with an average student loan debt of $33,000.
“Student loans after college can limit your career choices,” Beam said.
But seniors deciding on colleges may not be looking that far ahead into the future, so let’s look into some more timely stuff.
Choosing a college does not just have to be about money and academics; it should also be about the relationships you can build with your peers and the mark that university can leave on the rest of your life.
A lot of people say not to choose a college just because your friends are going there, but you can’t completely leave out the social aspect of college. That should be as much of a factor in deciding as anything else.
“There are no right or wrong choices when deciding for college,” Wake Forest University graduate and civics teacher Cris Wiley said. “The most reputable school may not always be the best fit; go where you think you will fit in and grow as a person.”
SENIORS: Whether you are deciding on a college, the military, the work force or remain undecided, your counselors must know your plans! Fill out senior information cards in your English class at Reynolds or in Student Services starting May 1. Deadline for information cards is Tuesday, May 12, but don’t delay! (Pine Whispers will use data reported to Student Services for its annual college/military map in the May 19 Senior Edition of the newspaper.)