Christine Kerkman, senior, spends yet another night tossing and turning in bed. She cannot sleep because the stress of choosing a college is getting the best of her. There are many options to choose from and she is unsure whether or not she wants to continue her soccer career at the collegiate level.

For Kerkman, she made her decision just last month to play soccer at Lawrence University.“I based it off of my family, and I also looked at all the majors that Lawrence offered. I like the fact that it’s somewhat close, only 90 minutes away,” Kerkman said.

In comparison to Kerkman, Cole Simpson, senior, also decided to stay in Wisconsin and will be attending the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this fall. “The location actually was probably the biggest factor,” Simpson, said. Simpson’s process was a little different than most. “For me it was really easy because the first college I looked at I knew would be a perfect fit for me, so it really took me no time,” Simpson said.

The college search process can be easy or difficult depending upon what a student is looking for in a specific college. “I think the most important thing is to find the best fit for the students themselves and not for their best friends,” Mrs. Jill McElroy, guidance counselor, said. “I think one of the most important steps in the college process is attending the junior conference with your counselor, that is good to answer any questions you may have about the process.”

“It’s not an easy process because it requires looking, searching and discussing with your families, but the most important thing is to figure out what’s best for you to strive,” Mrs. McElroy, said. The process is different for everyone because everyone has their own interests in mind and what one person is looking for in a college may be different than the next person.

The college process can be stressful, like Kerkman’s experience, or it could be really quick and easy, like it was for Simpson. However the process goes for you, “It’s not something you should dread. If you end up choosing the wrong place, you can always change it,” Mrs. McElroy said. After all, choosing a college is the first step in choosing your future.