Yaad to Abroad: Top Six Tips to Consider Before Settling on the University of your Choice

Deciding on which university you would like to attend, poses the first challenge of the lengthy university application process. Choosing the right university for you may be one of the most arduous processes that you will ever experience, especially as you make this next step in your academic journey. There are several universities to choose from but with so many options it can be daunting to make that ultimate decision. However, there are a few steps or tips that I will be sharing with you on narrowing your options and selecting the best university for you. Whether you are planning to pursue your bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree, each factor is critical to your university search and selection process. Here are my top six tips to consider before settling on the university of your choice:

Tip Number One: Conduct Research Online

This may seem obvious but it is the most fundamental and inarguably the most overwhelming step that you will encounter in your search. More often than not, many individuals become quite inundated, as they are bombarded with a plethora of options throughout the university search process. Without a doubt, conducting extensive research allows you to ‘cast a wide net’ as you peruse and assess the various universities available to you.

Let's dive right in! After you have compiled your long list of ‘potential university contenders’, then it is time to narrow down that list into a suitable shortlist of your top five. Once you have narrowed down your list and you have your top five, do even further research on the university’s website as well as social media pages (i.e. YouTube, Instagram Twitter etc). Guys, this is something I wish I had done when I started thinking about studying abroad. As it related to preparing to study in Canada (selecting a university and choosing courses) the process was quite accelerated and last minute. Hence, I was unable to do extensive research online. Initially, I had begun researching with sufficient time, but it was difficult to completely understand the Canadian university system and I simply did not know where to begin.

Tip Number Two: Pay attention to Location and Accommodation

Location, Location, Location! I cannot stress how crucial this step is in making that final decision on where to study, live and essentially grow for the next three to four years. There are quite a few options to consider in deciding whether to stick close to home or to study in a completely different country. Firstly, think carefully about how comfortable you would be in living away from your home country, family and friends. Guys, keep in mind that you'll be leaving any sense of comfort and familiarity behind, especially if you decide to study in another country. So, you may want to think about whether you are ready to 'fly the nest' for the first time or if having your family and friends in close proximity is vital to your final choice. In many instances, the location of the university is often overlooked; however, it is a key element of the decision making process as it will ultimately influence your overall university experience.

In retrospect, I regret not doing sufficient research on the new space I would be living in and essentially planting roots. Nevertheless, I am currently where I am because it was apart of a greater plan *Alexa play, God's plan*. Not only this, but while reflecting, I can recall my cluelessness and ignorance as I knew hardly anything as it pertained to the geography, climate and culture of Canada. I was not privy to the differing cultures which existed in each Canadian province or territory. I know what you are thinking, and you can say it… yes “I winged it”. Prior to attending St. Thomas University, I thought I was completely prepared for this eye-opening and life-changing experience, but I am going to be totally honest with you; the location threw me for a loop.

Location is integral as it helps you to make a well-informed university decision.

As previously stated, there is a lot to consider as it relates to the location of a university, including small town versus big city, rural versus urban or eastern versus western Canada. I’ll be sharing some real-life experiences that will give you a better understanding of the importance of the location that you select. Currently, I am living and studying in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The province of New Brunswick may be described as having a more rustic and agrestic undertone, which involves small towns as well as a tightly-knit community. After my first year, I realized that I preferred large urban cities and the trappings of the hustle and bustle. Don’t get me wrong, I had grown to appreciate my little town for what it was, with its slow-paced environment and consisting of mostly greenery as well as local shops. That as it may, I have to admit that I am a city girl at heart and that is why I struggled and in some sense still struggle with where I currently live.

Furthermore, as it relates to accommodation, I will be giving you a more detailed account on the pros and cons of living on-campus versus off-campus in an upcoming blog post. But for the meantime, I will speak briefly on this step as it is crucial to your university search. I am almost certain that you’re thinking that it might be intimidating and unsettling to live off- campus and basically be on your own especially after moving to an entirely new country. However, it really was not and is not as bad as you may be thinking. One thing for sure, I enjoyed the increased sense of independence and freedom by having my own space. As you go through your university selection process and consider your living arrangement, it is important to reflect and ask yourself these questions: Do I want to live with a roommate or alone? Do I want to live on-campus or off-campus? Do I want to live with family members? Will I be comfortable where I decide to live?

Tip Number Three: Consider the Cost of Living and Tuition

The cost of living varies from province to province, and it is dependent on the area you choose to study and live in. Broadly, built-up urban areas tend to be more expensive than rural areas. Hence, when conducting your research, it is important to compare costs as it relates to the location as well as the day to day living and travelling expenses within that town or city. It is imperative that you note how much you’ll be required to pay prior to applying to the university, in order to plan and assess whether it is the right university for you based on your current financial situation. For example, a comparison can be drawn between the cost of living on-campus versus off-campus. After my first year, I realized that it was much cheaper for me to live off-campus, as I was able to circumvent paying for an expensive meal plan by budgeting and paying for my own groceries.

Not only this, but another key point is that tuition fees vary from university to university as it is based on the degree you will be pursuing as well as your student status (whether you are an international student or a resident). Moreover, these fees are also influenced by the town, territory or province that you study and live in. Regrettably, when I had applied to St. Thomas University, the scholarship deadline had already passed. Thus, I was unable to apply for major first-year scholarships, though I was fortunate to have received bursaries. However, that merely made a minor dent in the considerable amount I was expected to pay yearly as an international student. Guys, it only covered a small portion of the overall cost because as an international student you essentially pay double the amount that Canadian students pay. Furthermore, without fail, the tuition fee increases each year. With that being said, even if you are not certain about attending a particular university, I encourage you to apply nonetheless for any available scholarships prior to the deadline (you can always decline an offer) in order to avoid the unfortunate experience that I had. Hence, it is worthwhile to compare tuition fees as part of your university selection process.

Tip Number Four: Size of the University

When deciding on the right university for you, it is important to note the size of its enrollment and campus. You may prefer being apart of a large cohort or you may desire to be apart of a small close-knit community setting. There are various advantages and disadvantages of attending a 'big' versus 'small' university. 'Big' universities often provide several opportunities for meeting and socializing with new and diverse individuals.

St. Thomas University (Lower Campus)

Equally important, 'big' universities allow for a wider selection of courses and programs. Conversely, a drawback of attending larger universities may involve individuals feeling 'out of place' or simply lost in the shuffle. On the other hand, 'small' universities allow for a greater sense of belonging, as you are able to interact with majority of the students which may allow for a sense of camaraderie or solidarity. However, there is less variety and diversity in the social aspect of the university experience, as you tend to interact with the same individuals on a regular basis. Without a doubt, I can definitely attest to this. St. Thomas University is known for its slogan "the small university of big opportunities" and this is quite accurate. The small and intimate size of St. Thomas University allows students to move with ease from upper to lower campus and lecture to lecture due to its small size. Hence, students need not walk too far in order to be on time for lectures or tutorials. Not to mention, the class sizes are capped at 60; hence, professors tend to know you personally and by name. I really appreciate this because you are then able to establish a good rapport and professional relationship with lecturers.

Professors tend to be more approachable, as one-on-one conversations contribute to students feeling as though they are more than just a number.

On the other hand, a drawback of being apart of a small university population, is that the persons you will see off-campus at the shopping mall, church, grocery store (I could continue… but I’ll carry on) are the same persons you will see on-campus as well. So, being on a small campus can become monotonous especially when you constantly interact and socialize with the same individuals and repeatedly see the same faces. I appreciate being around a diverse group of persons as well as different personalities and that is something that I missed while at St. Thomas University. Accordingly, if I were to attend a 'big' university, the size of the campus would facilitate the meeting of new people in addition to being apart of different friend groups.

Tip Number Five: Attend University Open Days

University open days are meant for prospective students, as it offers a programme of academic and student life presentations as well as campus tours and department sessions. Students are often encouraged to visit the university prior to enrollment, as it would allow them to speak with current students and faculty in addition to exploring the town or city. To be completely honest with ya'll, I am on the fence as it relates to attending open

days.

Indubitably, if you are currently living in the country where you will be attending university or if you are able to finance a trip to visit, then I would definitely recommend that you make an effort to go. This would allow you to have a better idea of the size, location and proximity of the university to local services. To say nothing of the ability to have a better idea of the room sizes and amenities available in on-campus residences. Additionally, if you decide to live off-campus, you would get the opportunity to go apartment or house hunting. However, if we are being realistic, many individuals are not financially able to attend university open days especially if they reside in another country. There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration such as: obtaining visas, paying flight fees in addition to organizing your accommodation and that’s a lot ya’ll. Hence, it would be quite costly to attend open days in addition to paying for other costs that are already stacked against international students. Nonetheless, if you are able to visit any of your top universities, it is always worthwhile.

Tip Number Six: Courses and Modules Offered

One of the biggest decisions you will have to make during your university selection process, is deciding on which courses or modules you are interested in taking. Picking the right major or courses is important because it essentially determines the course of the next three or four years. Therefore, investigating the course content and individual modules on the university website, would allow you to obtain information on the courses that will be offered and whether they align with your interests and are relevant to your career path. This is really important because initially when I started St. Thomas University, I had applied to do international relations, but I soon came to realize that I was not interested in any of the required courses for that major. I couldn’t imagine myself doing courses that I was not passionate about nor interested in for the next four years.

Ensure that you are content with the courses you choose. I knew if I had pursued that major, getting up each day would be a 'struggle'. So, I opted not to.

For this reason, I decided to choose majors that I would be completely immersed in as well as passionate about. Thus, being aware of the various courses offered by the university allows you to essentially have a back up plan or other options, in the event that you are no longer interested in the course you initially applied for. Additionally, the course structure must be taken into consideration as it is closely related to your style of learning (lectures, tutorials or practical courses). The course structure would allow you to learn a lot about yourself, whereby, if you prefer courses which mainly involve practical assignments then maybe attending a liberal arts university which requires you to sit in long lectures, read quite a few books and write a few papers might not be the best fit for you. Conclusively, choose courses that you take delight in, will challenge you and that you will benefit from. Avoid selecting courses that you think will translate well on paper. Keep in mind, you will be the one studying for the next four years... not anyone else.

One on One AnniciaTalks

What's my advice to those who are currently in the process of choosing the best university for them?

1. The tips previously mentioned are certainly important; however, go beyond the lectures. It is of utmost importance that you assess the services that the university provides and whether it aligns with your needs as a student and your needs as an individual. Often times, persons primarily focus on the courses available as well as the size and cost of universities. However, equally important are services and programmes such as: counselling, clubs and societies, campus events, internship opportunities, availability of on-campus employment in addition to personal and academic development.

2. Keep in mind whether the university you select aligns with your values and morals. You may want to ask yourself these questions: What does the university stand for? What do they promote? Do I feel comfortable being completely open, authentic and essentially myself on campus? You have to keep in mind that you will be at this university for the next couple of years and your comfort and peace of mind plays a major role in your overall health and well-being as a student.

Love & Blessings A.T. Fam