We hear a lot about selecting a college for fit, not for reputation. Understanding how you best learn is an important criterion in finding the college that fits you. Start with past experiences. Consider the classes that intrigued you, and in which you were actively engaged in the learning process. What was the teaching style of your instructor? Was this a lecture class in which you did the reading and then sat back and listened to your teacher? How important to you was the ability to ask questions on the spot, or were you fine waiting until some time after the class was over to have your questions answered? In what ways were you actively engaged in the class? Think about whether you like discussion or seminar-based classes in which you must participate or if you prefer to blend into the crowd and not be called on.
Many of us learn best through first-hand experience. Do you perform better in hands-on classes in which all of your senses are engaged? Tactile learners will find that colleges with frequent lab sections and opportunities for experiential learning fit them better than those institutions that feature mainly large lecture sections.
All colleges today attempt to meet the varied needs of their students. Even very large public institutions provide smaller break-out discussion groups to supplement those large lecture halls. Professors at every college have posted office hours when students may come to discuss issues or concerns. Unfortunately, this still does not provide the same opportunity for learning as does a school with smaller, seminar-style classes. Once you analyze how you learn best, you’ll be able to choose colleges that fit you academically and then you can consider the extra-curricular and social aspects of life on these campuses.
