Tahsen Hossain - Assignment 7 - I don't know what I'm doing and I hope my college is okay with that.

     "What am I doing?" is a reoccurring phrase inside my head. When it comes to colleges and my future the answer is usually "I don't know". As I have already said in my previous post, I'm rather overwhelmed by the sheer breadth of information to consume and options at my disposal. And while I've always tried my best to follow my interests, I've never been able to identify what I really enjoy and so my interests are constantly shifting.

    At this rate, I will likely be heading into college still undecided in that regard. To quote one of my favourite artists, Hozier, "there is no plan, there is no hand on the reins." And so, what I've begun to pay attention to about colleges, aside from tuitions, dorm quality, and class sizes, are their potential for highly formative experiences. Opportunities that allow students to study abroad perhaps, to intern or partner with businesses, programs to promote community involvement, and clubs that are engaging and ambitious. I want to have the opportunity to explore my interests, to see what I like and dislike in an academic setting so that maybe I build something off of that knowledge.

     Additionally, I have also looked for colleges that are leading the country's research and development. I want to be a part of that research and maybe try to make some difference in it if I'm so lucky to be afforded the opportunity.

      These are why I have tended to gravitate toward universities like the Univerity of Georgia and John Hopkins University which both have a multitude of formative opportunities at the students' disposal, nationally renowned research teams, and close ties to their surrounding communities. Additionally, they require you to declare a major by the end of the sophomore year which is more time than many other colleges.