Your university is somewhere where you’ll spend three or four years, or potentially even longer if you’re studying part-time, so it’s important to choose the right place for you. Whether you’re in high school and thinking about the next step, or a mature learner going back to study, here’s how you can find the perfect place to study.
Look carefully at the course content
A degree from one university isn’t necessarily going to be the same as a degree from another institute. It’s important to know exactly what you’re going to be learning and whether it’s the right course for you. For example, if you’re looking at nursing courses, you should read up on different universities’ curriculums and compare the amount of real world experience you’ll get, what specialisms are on offer, and what you’ll be learning.
Choose a course that suits your learning style
Not everyone has the same method of learning. Some people prefer to be as hands-on as possible, while others like to learn things in a classroom before trying them out. If you want to be a good student, you need a course that’ll suit your style. Some universities also have certain reputations for their teaching style, from traditional to more modern methods, so find out more about what they expect.
Think about life at the university
Once you’ve narrowed down universities based on courses you like, you should think more about your day-to-day life at the university.
You’ll be spending several years in this place, and it’s difficult to transfer if you don’t like it, so you need to consider:
- Accommodation – if you’re not staying local, where will you live and how much will it cost?
- The social scene – will there be opportunities to meet new people and enjoy your hobbies or interests?
- The location – there’s no use moving somewhere if you hate it! Think about the town or city you’ll be moving to and do some research into what’s local and whether it’s the kind of place you’d like to live.
The cost of your education
Cost is sadly a big factor when choosing a university. You need to think not only about day-to-day costs, but also the overall cost of your education and how you’ll fund it. Getting a student loan can help with some of the costs, as long as you factor in the repayments and think about the long-term financial impact. If you have difficulty making regular payments on your student loan, you can refinance and lower the loan rate. Companies like Purefy let you compare loan rates offered by top lenders, helping you narrow down your search for the best rates and terms. In many cases, getting a degree can help you financially as it can help you get a better paid job, but make sure you know what the impact will be.
Choosing a university is important to your long-term success. A good university that’s the right fit for you is likely to mean you’re more successful, getting better grades and leading to a better career in the future. It’s important not to just look at local universities, but to do some serious research into the teaching methods, costs, and lifestyle, so you can make an informed decision on where you are going to study.
