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Our son is in his Junior year in high school here in North Carolina, and at this point in his school life, we are already talking about him going to college. I have always encouraged him to go to college because I know exactly how important it is and the benefits of higher education. I am so glad that he is planning to go to college and he is already talking about what he would like to attain, take or pursue.

As a parent, I was a little anxious about the whole college scenario because I did see my parents’ hard work to support me and my three siblings to go to college and earn our degrees. The four of us finished a Bachelor’s Degree in our home country, the Philippines, and it would not have been possible without our parents’ support. We didn’t have to work to support our schooling nor borrow money and end up paying off loans after graduating.

But our scenario here in the U.S. is a little different than what I have experienced back home so, here are my tips for getting ready to go to college.

1. Identify Your Goals

Know what courses you want to take and which degree you want to pursue. I truly believe that you should take courses that truly interest you and not just courses that were suggested for you to take. If you love what you do, then the rest will follow.

2. Start Researching Colleges

Check the colleges that offer the degree that you want. Start with the colleges in your area and then continue to look at other colleges. It is always good to know the specifics of each college institution so you’ll have all the details that you need to know.

3. Visit College Campuses

To know the ins and outs of each college campus, it is great to visit the colleges that you are considering so it is easier for you to navigate the campus once you’re already studying there.

Here in Asheville, we have a public university and a community college that we’re going to be visiting soon with our son, namely the University of North Carolina – Asheville and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

4. Plan Your Finances

This is perhaps the hardest part when it comes to planning your college degree or college life. You should know where to get your tuition (may it be from a scholarship, from a grant, from a loan or from your parents’ support). You also should think about your other college expenses (personal stuff, etc.).

The cost that is associated with going to college may be overwhelming and the student debt rate is on the rise, but there are facts and myths surrounding it. Read it all here. But I am so glad to know about the North Carolina constitutional mandate that requires the North Carolina General Assembly to provide all citizens with affordable higher education. Our constitution reads: “The General Assembly shall provide that the benefits of The University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense” Thus, it is of great importance that residents become informed voters and educate themselves on where their representatives stand on education issues before casting their vote.

This is where Higher Ed Works does their thing. Their drive to have the North Carolina higher education systems be well-funded is admirable. It is their goal to have the higher education schools in North Carolina be affordable and accessible so that North Carolinians can get valuable higher education credentials.

Having a degree in higher education gives you more opportunities even in rural counties, thus improving your life. It doesn’t have to be a 4-year degree because there are also opportunities that only require training or certificates from a community college or university. And did you know that the North Carolina higher education systems remain among the best in the nation?

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