Before you start surfing the Internet in search of a college, sit down and decide on your priorities.

College life brings a whole new set of responsibilities. Balancing increased academic workloads, a new social life, a new job, exercise, leisure activities, and religious/spiritual values present students with a great deal of stress and anxiety. In addition, students add new responsibilities for managing life outside the classroom in ways that previously had been handled by their parents. Taking on personal and financial responsibility may be completely new to some. Others may have had experience in these areas, but may be intimidated by the thought of so much responsibility without the parental safety net.