From the Editor — April 2015

Oh, the end of the spring semester is nearing. Statistically, this is when about 1,500 students are going to graduate from ICC, and many of those students and others have transferring on their minds. While most students who attend ICC do not necessarily continue on to a university, those who do (myself included) have to decide where to transfer.

I have spent many, many months thinking about where I am going to continue my education after ICC. When I first enrolled at ICC, I had a list of favorites and least favorites. In two years, that list has almost reversed itself. As my graduation draws near, I am still not 100 percent certain on my destination, but I have found that one old piece of advice has proven true: before you commit yourself to years of study at an institution, you best spend some time there and feel it out in person.

I recently visited a college with my family after becoming interested in its U.S. News & World Report ranking. I was just about to put this college at the top of my list, but that changed when I visited. I walked around the campus and explored every area and building that I could. I kept looking for the reason for its acclaim, but all I found was a lack of inspiration.

Now I am not going to name the college because a lot of people do like it, and you may, too, but it wasn’t for me. This is the case with many things in life; whether it’s universities or careers or music or food, we don’t often know what we like until we find it.

Whether or not you are transferring and whether or not you are graduating, remember that statistics and popular opinion don’t determine what is right for you. Don’t settle for something because worldly indications say it “must be right.” When it comes to deciding on your coursework, career and future, explore your options thoroughly and make decisions based not on outside data but on what you decide for yourself.