Every admission season brings its own rush of forms, phone calls, and a lot of unsolicited advice. Even confident students start second-guessing themselves once people around them begin suggesting what they “should” do. After sitting through dozens of counseling rounds and meeting families year after year, a few mistakes show up so consistently that they’re worth calling out openly.
1. Treating Every Opinion as Reliable Guidance
The moment a student says they’re applying somewhere, half the neighbourhood turns into consultants. Some of this advice is harmless, but a large chunk is based on very old impressions or someone’s cousin’s experience from years back.
Instead of accepting everything as truth, consider it background noise. Take notes if you must, but make your own list of questions and verify directly with the college.
2. Not Visiting the Campus Personally
A lot of students skip the simplest step — actually going and looking at the college with their own eyes. It sounds basic, but most people still depend on glossy brochures, a YouTube video, or whatever someone told them at a coaching centre. The reality inside a campus is always different from the polished version shown online.
When you walk through the corridors yourself, you immediately notice things you won’t spot anywhere else. How crowded the labs get, whether students seem busy or bored, how classes wrap up, and even small things like how approachable the atmosphere feels. These details only show up when you’re physically present.
Spend a little time there. Sit in the common area, watch how the day is running, and talk to a couple of students who aren’t trying to impress anyone. Those casual conversations usually tell you far more than brochures or long counseling calls ever will.
3. Choosing a Course Only Because It Sounds Popular
Trends shift fast. One year everyone runs after a particular program, and the next year it loses its charm. Picking a course only because it is “in demand” often leads to frustration later.
Spend some quiet time understanding what type of work you enjoy. Do you like practical tasks? Do theoretical subjects hold your attention? Are you comfortable with long hours? Your answers guide you far better than any trend chart.
4. Rushing the Decision Out of Peer Pressure
A lot of students panic when they see classmates locking seats early. That kind of pressure often pushes students toward options that have nothing to do with where they actually want to go in the future. You don’t have to join a college just because your friends rushed into one. Take a breath and choose what genuinely fits you.
Compare a few options, check the real academic routine, see how the environment feels, and then commit. A decision made with a clear mind is always stronger than one made just to “finish the process quickly.”
5. Ignoring Differences Between Colleges in the Same City
People often assume that if two colleges are in the same city, the experience will be more or less similar. That’s rarely the case. Teaching styles, student support, exposure, facilities, and overall discipline can vary enormously—even within a few kilometres.
Look at each college independently. Don’t rely on assumptions. Check how interactive the classrooms are, whether the departments are active, how accessible the faculty is, and what students say about daily life there.
