This is a guest post by Dr. Sunil Kumar who is an educational analyst. He writes blogs and articles for students in many of the leading magazines. 

1. Which course ! 
Choosing the right course from the wide range of options you have is a very challenging part of starting your college life.  Choosing the course should be done by yourself even though the healthy suggestions can be taken into consideration. There are a thousand courses around you. Assess your passion, interests as well as the scope for job opportunities while you choose what to study.  If you love to write or speak, a media oriented course would be apt to you. If you have a creative mind a fashion designing or an architectural course might suit your taste. Similarly depending upon your interests and talents there are various  courses awaiting you. Being grown up in an Indian society you would be pushed into becoming an engineer or a doctor. But don't let the society decide your future. It is you who have to work in the particular field for a lifetime, and that is never easy without a passion.

2. Why that course! 
Once you decide a course, scribble down your reasons for choosing that particular course. And review your reasons. If you find your reasons strong enough, it is time to start searching for that course.

3. Where to study! 
Choosing the right place and the college is the next important leap in your life. Once you choose your preferred course, search for the colleges that offer the course you have chosen. With the internet, everything is at your fingertips. Search and search. And then make a list of the best options based on your geographical preference, reputation of the college, quality of the course and the personal preferences you are keen upon. If you love staying at your hometown, never force yourself to a distant place for the mere sake of the course. Similarly keep hold of your personal preferences.

4. Visit before you join! 
Make sure you visit the particular college before you join. Only after seeing and understanding the overall atmosphere, decide. Because it is going to be your place for the next couple of years. Never feel that you made a mistake.

5. Remember to celebrate your college life! 
Most of the time people forget to celebrate and make memories out of your college time. Don't get washed away by the tide. Have fun and do study well.

Wish you a successful college life ahead ;)