This post is a little different from my usual employment law updates. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about college—not from a legal or employer perspective, but as a parent. My son is at the stage where he’s weighing his college options, and it’s sparked a lot of reflection. Writing this helped me organize the advice for him, and I thought it might be useful to share for any other students or families navigating the decision of where to go to school and what to potentially study.

Here are five things I wish someone had told me when I was 17 or 18, trying to make one of the biggest decisions of my life with very little real-world experience.

1. College Is Still Worth It—But Be Smart About Debt

College is an investment in yourself—your skills, your confidence, your network, and your future opportunities. But debt is real. And while student loans can be considered “good debt” because they support long-term earning power, too much of it can limit your flexibility.

When you’re young, your greatest asset is your ability to take risks—interning at a startup, launching your own venture, moving to a new city. Heavy student debt can close those doors. Borrow what you need, but always ask yourself: Will this debt give me more options, or take them away?

2. Go to School Where You Want to Work and Live

One of the most underrated strategies in choosing a college is geography. If there’s a city, region, or industry hub you want to end up in—go to school there. From day one, you’ll start building a network of professors, classmates, and internship connections that will serve you long after graduation.

Your college years are more than just classes—they’re the start of your professional foundation. Being physically close to where you want to be post-college gives you a huge advantage.

3. Follow Your Gut—There’s No Perfect Formula

Rankings and brochures can only tell you so much. Choosing a college is deeply personal, and at some point, you’ll have to go with your instincts. If a school “feels right,” that matters. You’re choosing a place to live, grow, and stretch yourself—not just collect credits.

And don’t stress too much about making the “perfect” choice. You can transfer. You can change majors. The most important part is to choose intentionally and be prepared to put in the work wherever you go.

4. You Create the Experience—Not the School

Your attitude, drive, and curiosity matter far more than any school’s reputation. If you want your college to be a party school, you’ll find parties. If you want to make it a launching pad for a great career, you can do that too—at any school.

Seek out the best professors. Take on challenges. Ask hard questions. Pursue the internships, projects, and relationships that will make you stand out. You have more control than you think.

5. Learn How You Work—This Is the Time

College isn’t just about academics. It’s your first opportunity to really understand how you operate. When do you do your best thinking? How do you handle stress, deadlines, distractions? What motivates you when no one’s watching?

These are the skills and insights that will carry into every job, every challenge, and every opportunity. College is where you begin to figure out how to lead yourself.

Final Thought

The choice to go to college—or where to go—isn’t final. It’s just the start. Stay flexible. Be intentional. And remember: you are making a major decision in your life, but one that you can adjust if it is not working out as you expected.