College hunt

Some people try to warn you that first semester senior year would be just as challenging with finding colleges and starting (and finishing) college applications, all while keeping up grades and having a social life.

But no one, and I mean, no one prepared me for second semester senior year. This is the time when I have to make the decision on where I will be spending and living my life for four or more years.

I recently returned from a trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, where I visited two universities that I was accepted to: Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Texas Christian University (TCU).

Usually college visits are the same, tedious days. You start off in an information session, go on a campus tour and end up in the bookstore buying a sweatshirt you can wear to school upon return. But college visits are a bit different when you are an admitted student trying to decide if this is the school for you.

I didn’t just visit the campuses and the bookstore. I spent time in the surrounding cities not only because they have great places to eat and shop — but also because there is so much culture and excitement. And if I am spending the next four years in a new environment, I might as well know what I am getting myself into.