A little over a year and a half ago, I was entering my senior of high school, trying to figure out which colleges I would be applying to for my first year of college. Just a few months later, I made my final decision to attend the University of Hawai’i Mānoa. The time leading up to my decision, however, caught me between the pull of where I saw myself thriving for the next four years, and where I was told I should attend by others. In high school, it can seem like the university you receive your education from will greatly impact your future. At least in my experience, school counselors often glossed over (usually exorbitant) prices of many universities and instead focused on one major thing: the prestige that came with a given university name. My dream school, however, didn’t necessarily fit that definition, at least compared to the universities others were nudging me towards. UH Manoa was not a private university, nor did it have a stringent acceptance rate. Despite this, I knew I would receive a great education there, and UH Manoa was where I pictured myself excelling.
Since I was young, I had dreamed of living in Hawaii, and I was determined to get there. When I began to consider attending a university on the islands, I was met with pushback from many people; my parents, relatives, even my high school counselor. Just before my applications were due, I cut down my college “apply for” list from twelve universities nationwide, to just three, because my heart was set on Hawaii. However, I was led to believe I was lowering my potential and risking my future success by choosing UH. I knew UH Manoa was the best fit for me, and that was a major reason I took the leap and committed to Hawaii. It didn’t disappoint: attending UH was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and has led me to meet amazing people, come across opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise, and expand beyond my comfort zone. It also showed me that in the long run, where I attend college won’t matter. Rather, what I made out of my college experience would say the most about me.
When I was a high school junior touring colleges, I often tried to convince myself that I could fit in at that particular university. I imagined myself taking classes, hanging around campus, and meeting friends there. And while these visions did make me like the school, I always felt something missing. Deep down, I knew I was trying a little too hard to fall in love with a particular campus, but it just wasn’t clicking like I thought it should. When I stepped onto Hawaii’s campus, I had a different experience. I really, truly could see myself enjoying my time there. When you choose a college you are excited about, that you can see yourself thriving in, already you may be open to more experiences, feel at home, and perhaps find a flow in your first year more easily. You thrive where you fit.
I’ve also come to realize that college is more than just prestige and GPA. You want to come out of college a well-rounded individual, and you can achieve this at any university you go to. How well you do in classes, the extracurriculars, and clubs you get involved with, and internships and jobs you take along the way say more about you than the college you go to. You essentially get out, what you put in.
For those getting ready to decide where to attend college, I’d recommend looking at the programs your college offers for your respective major. For me, UH Manoa offers an excellent marine biology program that I was interested in. In my case, pursuing a biology degree with a marine bio minor, UH Manoa was probably one of the best schools for my future aspirations. Get to know the programs offered at the schools you’re looking at. Your dream university may just excel more in one area over another.
With commitment day right around the corner, many are deciding where their future will lead them. Your college experience is unique to you, and you have the power to shape how it will go and what you would like to take from your education. In the past year, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: where to live and attend college for the next four years. My takeaway from the process was that, while people will try to tell you what to do in life, or what they think is best for you, only you can know what is best for you. Learn to listen to that inner voice inside, and trust yourself!