Planning on going to college? Choosing a college to go to can be hard. Knowing what you want will make the process of choosing a college much easier.

Choosing a good college is not an easy process but there are many things you can do to make this process much easier. Before making your final decision know what your interested in studying. Knowing what you want to study in college will help you choose a school because you can eliminate schools that don’t offer the classes you want to take. Also research some colleges see what you like and what you don’t like. You will probably find some schools you like. Talking to your counselor can help you get an idea of what colleges cover what you’re looking for.

You might have already chosen a college based on what people have told you, on what your family wants, or just because of the school’s name. Make sure you know what you want and make your interest your number one priority. What really matters is you, since you will be the one attending college. Remember other people might have an input but the last decision is yours.

If you have some colleges you can’t decide between, go to the schools and spend a few hours there just observing what goes on. This could help you make a better decision. The best time to visit a college is to go during spring of your junior year or at the beginning of your senior year. When going to visit a college it would be best to go during normal school session, this will give you an idea of what the school is like.

According to NBC.com over 55% of students that dropped out of college, mostly regret not investigating enough about other colleges out there. Investigating is a big part on choosing the right school. The more you investigate about schools that are out there the more convince you will be on selecting a school. Also a very common mistake that students make when choosing a college, is that they choose a collage just because their friends attends or will attend that school. This could become a mistake because you and your friends might have different goals during college. If you and your friend really want to go to the same school make sure that the school you pick has everything you want and if it doesn’t then you should choose another school even if you won’t be with your friends. Remember to think about yourself first.

If you have a school in mind but worry about being away from your friends and family, remember that every school has different students and that you would be able to make new friends at your new school. Also if your worried about being away from your family don’t worry college is not forever, you’ll be close to your family as soon as your done with an important stage in your life.

Our Link Crew leaders are the ones to step up and help new students feel more comfortable and welcomed to Mountain View. Link Crew leaders are a group of upperclassmen that support incoming freshmen by giving them tours around the school, playing games, and most of all vital information to help them survive the transition. Of course, they also dress their groups in ridiculous outfits to loosen them up. “If we all look goofy together, then there’s no time for embarrassment” says Mike Huff, the advisor of the MVHS Link Crew.

Huff believes that the over 400 new freshmen need mentors and someone to look up to, entering high school. Mckenna Wilcox and Chelsea Wilcox, both seniors this year, agree with Huff and chose to be Link Crew leaders this year.  Both girls believe that a “freshmen only” day is important so the new students can find their way around the school with less crowded halls. Mckenna had her group dress as superheroes while Chelsea’s group was dressed in a Hawiian theme, Both said they had a lot of fun.

All the group leaders played games with their students including name tag and “64 Squares”. They gave the new students advice, gave them tours of the school and their classrooms, told them the rules, and most of all, taught them the fight song.

So, thanks to those upperclassmen who welcomed the new freshmen with Cougar pride!