People severely underestimate the workload of a grade 12 student. Spending most of your day in a routine classroom while juggling marks and after-school activities can be overwhelming.

Not to mention, high school seniors probably have to make the biggest decisions of their life; figuring out what to do after graduation.

It’s a stressful time. It can also be tempting to leave your decision to the last minute.

I remember thinking that maybe in the spur of the moment I’ll have some clarity and choose what I really want to do.

Truth is, spur-of-the-moment situations are for things like trying that adventurous Thai dish, or booking a flight to Cuba for the summer.

Your future should not be a quick decision. Let me tell you why:

1. It’s an endless possibility

There are so many programs and so many options out there. Make sure you’re prepared by doing the research because there’s nothing worse than finding a program that you really want to do in a different university afterwards.

Find something that makes the university unique. I was drawn to Ontario Tech University because of its smaller class sizes (oh, the stories I heard from my friends who sat on the steps of their lecture hall because of large class sizes), the fact that it is a relatively new campus and because the university was commutable for me. Check out other reasons for my final decision in my "Reasons Why I Chose Ontario Tech" blog post. 

This is probably not new to many students but the Ontario Universities Info (OUInfo) is a great way to start your search. But, you should be sure to really look into the program and not just graze the top. Try looking for career options with that degree and see if there are any jobs that interest you.

2. You need to give yourself time to think

Making big decisions takes time. And what you were thinking one week will probably change the next week. Give yourself time to think about all the options that you have. 

Filter out your top choices before your senior year to make it easier for yourself when you start applying to universities.

3. There is more to a university than their programs

There are many factors to take in, such as clubs and activities, off-campus housing, commuting, co-op, scholarships, etc. Make a pros and cons list to help you decide.

University is about learning and experiencing as well. Don't know where to start? Check out six things to research about potential universities. 

Hopefully that encourages some of you to start researching. Even if you're a post-grad student thinking about graduate school, start your research ASAP!  

Want to know more about undergraduate programs offered at Ontario Tech?