It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing color, the weather is getting colder, and people are preparing for the imminent barrage of the flu and frostbite brought on by Winter. High school seniors, though, are preparing to make one of the most important decisions they will ever have to make in their lives. Deciding where one will go to college and spend the next four years of their lives is an intricate process which should not be taken lightly.
In order for students to be fully informed in order to choose the right school for themselves, much research needs to be done including online research, talking to counselors, and going on college tours. This research allows the student to delve into not only the academics of the school but also the campus, social life, etc. Sometimes it is unclear on why some students choose the school they do, but the theory of preference can be used to help fill in this gap in knowledge.
When making any decision there are many necessities that need to be met from basic necessities like food and water to more abstract necessities like status and being-needed. I will use my experience of picking the school I was going to attend to show how I was able to check if a school met all the necessities of the theory of preference.
Back in the school year of 2013-2014, I started the application research process of finding the college for me. I knew all the schools I was looking provided the basic necessities like water, food, and shelter, but it was the social and informational/environmental necessities that I had to research into.
The information I received regarding the social and informational/environmental aspects of each school I applied to came from conversations with current students, conversations with college counselors, and tours I took of the campuses. I had to know if I was needed at this school and if my role as a student was going to be valued by the institution and student body. I had to, also, look at the campus and make sure I was comfortable with my surroundings to see if there were no unpleasant surprises and that I was somewhat able to predict what was going to come next.
Looking back on my campus tours, I have realized that my approach when determining if I was comfortable on the campus followed the informational self-interest necessities and two of the three preference theories presented in class, the habitat selection theory and the environmental preference model. I wasn’t just looking for a place that I felt comfortable at. I was looking for a place with a variety of scenery that allowed me to explore and gave the opportunity of a multitude of incoming information, but, at the same time, allowed for easy navigation through the different environments. Lastly, I needed a campus with environments that would allow for mental restoration. I knew college was going to be very hectic with school work, exams, and the social life, so I knew the campus I was going to spend the next four years of my life needed a place where I could walk around and just observe or meditate.
The school that gave me the full package was The University of Michigan. Michigan made me feel needed and that my role as a student was going to be truly valued, but it, also, gave me the multitude of environments that have been easily navigable, connected, have allowed for continuous exploration, and has given me the environments necessary for cognitive restoration. Michigan has given me the environment to succeed, and has made me feel needed. I could not be happier with my choice to attend The University of Michigan.
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