How to find the best Toronto college for you

Life consists of a series of challenges and lessons which help us evolve and grow. Enrolling into a college is also one such journey. And if you’ve set your eyes on the prize which is a Toronto college, you are already on the right path. However, now comes the hard part – realizing that idea, which implies thinking long and hard and choosing one out of the many colleges which Queen City has to offer.
Now, we’ve already gotten familiar with the diversity and potential which Toronto offers, but that is only the beginning in this case. The next important step involves finding yourself in such a large pond of people and this it where caution is advised. After all, your education will decide the course your life will take from this point on. So why not hear us out and perhaps give us the chance to help you make the best choice possible.

Tips on finding your ideal college in Toronto

Take careful considerations and choose the directions of your studies

Most of us constantly find ourselves lost when it comes to our futures. Sure, we know what kind of life we want to have, but we don’t really have a clue how to get there. So one of the obstacles to overcome on that journey would be deciding on what you would like to do. And this is especially important when facing the decision about which college to enroll in. Selecting a major not only lifts a burden from you chest, but it also helps narrow down the choice of universities.
Colleges are like sport teams – they have their strengths and weaknesses. Some focus their curriculum on advanced science while others on literature. Some might offer a plethora of artistic subjects while having a slim offer in regards to IT and engineering. And this is why it’s important for you to look deep inside yourself and find a general area of study if not a major.

Consider the toll to pay and plan out your finances based on that

Considering that attending a college is no cheap commodity, you need to plan out your education, especially when it comes to budget. No matter if you’ve decided on a private or state university, the financial burden remains the same (unless you’re royalty). And the following steps need to be considered to get you through:

• Working part-time. Unfortunately, this is sometimes the only choice for some in search of higher education. However, consider this character-building experience and you’ll be more than fine. Also, you never know the contacts you’ll acquire while working.
• Getting a student loan. In cases where you want to focus on your studies as much as possible and have no time for a job, getting a loan is a popular option. This is something most students tend to opt for. It’ll be easy enough to pay back the money once you graduate and establish yourself.
• Asking family for help. All parents want to see their children grow and be successful, and they will do whatever it takes to make that happen. However, some families might not have the budget for such an endeavor.
• Earning a scholarship. There are always passes reserved for those most earning, those who work hard and are rightfully awarded in return.

Research the colleges offered and what you need to do to enroll

The province of Ontario has 24 publicly funded colleges, known as Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAATs). Even though the entrance exams differ from college to college, applying for each only requires that you have a high-school diploma.

Here are some examples of colleges based in Toronto:
Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology
George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology
Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Seneca College
Now, these are just the top colleges based in Toronto – there are of course a whole lot more within 50 miles of Toronto, and you can find out all about them, as well as what you need in order to apply for each right here.

Once your choice has been made, you need to consider what comes next

Life is not always going to hand you everything on a silver plate. You need to be aware that you will have to fight for what you want and believe in. It’s one of the fundamental pillars of maturing and becoming a fully-functional member of society. Now, you might think that since you’re just enrolling in college, you might have some ways to go. Well, you do, but if you ask us, it’s never too early to start. So here are some key tasks to consider taking care of before all else:

• Securing accommodation and planning out the move. Given that you are a student and that the move is most likely temporary, you will most likely not have that much stuff to transport. But you still need to consider choosing between a dorm room or an apartment. And you also need to plan out the actual moving process, be it with the help of family or a professional mover.
• Getting familiar with your new surroundings. It might be a good idea to move in a week early, just to get a feel for the city. It’ll give you a chance to get acquainted with the public transport, make some new friends and settle in.
• Budget-management. It will be helpful to practice handling your finances early on. Since you are a student, you won’t have that much money to handle, so it’ll be like a beginner level. As you develop and find a job, your budget will develop as well, and handling it will be much easier.