“Does anyone have any questions?” That is one thing I guarantee you’ll hear, no matter what campus you’re on. Between all the colleges I visited, I must have heard it a hundred times. So did I have any questions? Yes. Did I ask them? No. At least, not at first. When I started visiting schools, I had a list of questions. Literally. I had a notebook with my list in it and brought it with me. However, once I got to the colleges, my questions seemed pointless, nonsensical, and childish. So I remained silent.
Eventually, my mom poked me and whispered, “Don’t you have anything to ask?” I couldn’t lie to her, so I decided to pick one of my least embarrassing questions and ask it. When I did, the person answered with a smile and then moved on. Incredible, right? Yeah, not really.
I started speaking up more and getting the answers I needed in return. Pretty soon I was emailing my admissions counselor, even though I felt like I was driving him crazy. But when I had a problem, it became my first instinct to ask. Asking questions during campus visits can be intimidating. If you’re anything like me, your questions seem like simple, common sense information that you should already know. But ask anyway!
Here are 6 reasons why you should be asking your questions:
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The admissions team, the professors, the financial aid people– they’re all there to help you. Answering questions is the biggest part of their job, and everyone I’ve run into has actually liked doing that for me.
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The more you ask questions, the easier it becomes. Getting that first question out can be hard, but after the second or third time, it’s easier.
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Remember, you’re a high schooler. College is way different, and no one expects you to know everything right off the bat. No one is going to look down on you because of you have questions.
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Asking questions saves time, energy, and stress. If you don’t ask someone, you’ll end up scouring websites for information that may or may not be there. Or you’ll wait until last minute to find out important information.
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You’ll have the right answer. You won’t end up relying on a guess or an opinion; you’ll have the facts.
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It will help you. Sure, a simple thought, but it’s true. When you’re getting ready for college, you’re going to need help. Asking questions is the best way to get the information.
That’s what it all boils down to. You need answers. There are lots of people who have them. Don’t be afraid to ask your questions. Speak up. You’ll be amazed by how much it helps.
Post courtesy of Karley Conklin