Amanda Says: On Going to College for the First Time (because I'm just so excited!)

So in exactly one month from tomorrow (August 22nd) I move to Potsdam, NY to attend SUNY Potsdam as a freshman. I've already declared a communication major, and plan on minoring in journalism. I had orientation a few weeks ago, and my excitement levels are through the roof.

I've already made some great friends, and have even met my roommate already. Over the past few months I've discovered how much fun online shopping for dorm supplies!

Originally, I didn't know how I felt about Potsdam. Last fall I was heart set on SUNY Oswego. But I did a lot of research, and started to really like this school. In January, my dad and I drove 5 hours to visit campus. It was negative 5 and cloudy, but I fell in love entirely with Potsdam. I didn't even need to visit any other school, and I deposited on that day.

If I could give advice to anybody who's looking at colleges, or just starting the process, I'd say that you need to go with your gut feeling. Don't judge a college by it's website, or by the representative visiting your school. It's like falling in love with a person: when you meet "the one", you'll know. And that feeling is one of the most important factors in deciding on a college. For me, an art driven campus was perfect, and the location was far enough away to still be close to home. So give that school on your back burner a chance, because you'll never know if it's right until you give it the time.