For first-timers, going to a university can be overwhelming. It might mean visiting cities for the first time, waking up early to beat traffic, touring new campus environments, asking a million questions, and at the same time, processing the neverending stream of information about the institution.
To make settling down in your school a little less stressful, here are three factors to consider in your search.
1. Location and Distance From Home
Whether it is a university that makes up most of a small town or a large university in an even larger city, choosing your school should go beyond the name or popularity of the campus. Unless you intend on staying on campus, most Nigerian universities have lodges or student forms of accommodation located not too close to the campuses. This is an important factor to consider. The closer your accommodation is to your campus, the less stressful your daily commute to and from school is.
Another point to consider is how far away from the university your home is. While it is occasionally preferred to be away from home, you should factor in transportation costs and accessibility, especially during festive seasons when roads are jam-packed and traveling fees are inflated. Also, if you are not adventurous, staying in a familiar environment might save you the hassle of getting accustomed to new places and experiences.
2. Cost and Fees
In considering a school, there are many expenses aside from the base tuition fee. Miscellaneous fees from the library, internet, course material, and other levies add up to large sums of money. Consider these expenses when making a budget. Remember you will not only be paying for the first year of school, so there is also a lot of recurring expenditure that should be taken into account.
3. Safety
What kinds of safety measures does the university have in place? What is the neighborhood like? Knowing the school’s policies and procedures concerning student safety can be useful in deciding whether or not the school is best for you.
Irrespective of all extracurricular activities, opportunities, and scholarships, the university you end up at should feel homely; a place where you will be able to grow and develop not only academically but in other aspects of life. The right school will also help you realize goals and teach you important lessons that will remain with you for the rest of your life.
