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Test drive your school
College is going to be scary and very stressful. Since I won’t know anyone at the school, chances are good that I won’t have many friends. But since the work is going to be so hard and time consuming, I’ll have no time for friends or any social life anyway.
These were the kinds of thoughts I had about college before I spent the summer before my senior year in the journalism division of Northwestern University’s National High School Institute. My five weeks in the program changed my views about college life.
For the better.
Participating in a summer program at a university is a great way to test drive the school and college living. Living on campus and attending classes during a summer program is probably the best way to see if a school is right for you.
Summer programs are a great way to meet people with interests similar to yours. I spent the summer with 87 other aspiring journalists. Being in a program with other talented students only pushed me to work harder. I was surprised how much time was left for hanging out. There were usually a few hours between classes to go into town for a cup of coffee or to go shopping. One major thing I learned pretty quickly was how to manage money. I realized right away that I can’t spend money as freely in college as I do when at home.
Dorm living was also better than I expected. There isn’t anything more fun than sitting around the lounge at 3 a.m. playing some corny board game or throwing an impromptu dance party. The best time to create lasting friendships is late at night when everyone’s winding down after a
long day.
My summer at Northwestern taught me more than I ever imagined possible. I learned about journalism, college and myself. I made great friends with the students and my instructors.
I now know that I will survive college and make it in journalism, which I want to pursue more than ever.
I enthusiastically agree that attending a summer program at a college is very beneficial. Even if you decide the specific college isn’t right for you, you’ll still learn more than you ever have before, and the program will look great on your other college applications. Article provided by 
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