May 1st can be a tough day for seniors as they must commit to a college; a decision that can shape the course of at least the next four years of their lives. When it comes to picking a college there are many different aspects to consider, and the relative importance of each factor can vary from person to person, however, in the end each senior must pick the path that will help them the most.
Seniors in Emerson High School have committed to a wide variety of colleges both in Texas and out of state. With little time left before graduation, they are about to enter a new stage of their lives as they pursue an education that will allow them to achieve the career of their dreams.
“Business is always something that I’ve been passionate about,” senior Maya Richa said. “Since I was a little girl, I have always just loved anything business, whether that was selling a product, entrepreneurship or just really getting to talk to people in one on one interaction.”
After weeks thinking and praying, Richa made the decision to commit to Dallas Baptist University for a major in Business Management and Marketing. She also seeks to continue her passion for choir and instruments by being involved in DBU’s musical program.
“I had to look at it from all aspects, from lifestyle, to the opportunities [it] can give me and financially speaking, and it really checked the box for me in all of those categories,” Richa said. “I’m just really excited to see what the school has to offer and what kind of goals I can set for myself.”
Senior Erum Ahmed has also recently committed to a college. She will be attending the University of Texas at Dallas in the fall for a major in Healthcare Studies.
“What made me decide on medicine … was taking the CNA course, going to hospitals, having these hospital rotations, seeing patients and everything,” Ahmed said. “I realized that I really like the career, and I would like to eventually, in the future, become a physician.”
Following her graduation from UTD, Ahmed strives to attend medical school in order to study for the career she is passionate about. With this in mind, Ahmed made her decision to attend UTD as a college where she can get a great education, have fun and save for years of future schooling.
“I’m saving up on financial means because medical school is going to be really expensive, so I decided to go to an undergrad that doesn’t really cost a lot,” Ahmed said.
Joyce Wang, another senior who is about to graduate, will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to major in Advertising. UT is a very familiar setting for her since her sister attended the same school, and her major is something that she deeply cares about.
“I’ve done yearbook class for three years of my high school career, so that definitely played a big part because I do a lot of design in there,” Wang said. “I think being able to spread a message and communicate is probably one of the most important things we need in this world.”
Some big factors in her decision to commit to UT besides her familiarity with the campus were the pricing, the city, and the distance from home. She looks forward to beginning this new piece of her life, but each senior must also come to terms with the things that they will be leaving behind.
“I’m going to miss my house, my family and being in such close proximity [to my family,” Richa said. “My family is very family oriented, so that’s probably going to be the hardest goodbye.”
Despite this, there are many things to look forward to in college. As the seniors prepare for graduation it begins to feel as if high school passed by so quickly, and the next chapter of their lives has already arrived.
“Lessons will be learned and time flies, so take every moment and live it,” Richa said.
