Today, I was thinking back to my choices of colleges, and on the whole, Im happy I went where I went.

In all, I attended six schools, racked up five degrees, and taught at two of them. I went to three public schools and to three private ones.

My priority as an undergraduate was to Get a degree, and enjoy the process, as I told my advisor.

I selected schools, at the B.A and M.A. levels, that had small class sizes, because I wanted an intimate experience, one where I would get to know the people around me and my professors, and they would know me.

I declined opportunities to attend schools with hundreds of fellow students in massive lecture halls, with classes taught mostly by graduate teaching assistants. Though I became a teaching assistant later on, and I think a very good one and a top-rated professor after that, I wanted to study with the men and women that wrote the books; not with their minions.

By electing small class sizes my teachers did get to know me, so well in fact, that Id guest lecture in their classes, and one of them encouraged me to teach, and a career was launched.

Had I selected different schools, I doubt very much that this would have been my path, or that I would have enjoyed myself as much as I did.

Through most of my academic career, I worked full-time while attending school, full-time, so I was very busy. Though this helped to induce some stress at various points, it didnt kill me, and I recommend at least working part-time while going to school.

It helps you to keep your head in the real world, and it gives you chances to apply what youre learning to meaningful situations.

You can get a quality education at a public or private school, at one that costs hundreds or a few thousand dollars per year, or at one that costs about $150,000 or more over the course of four years.

So, money is not the key variable, and it shouldnt be.

I think the ultimate question isnt even Where will I fit in?

Its more like, Where will I be able to grow, to develop my unique abilities and aptitudes?

I couldnt feel I was just a number. I had to stand out, and I did, which has led to an outstanding life.

Set your own priorities, whatever they are, and theyll serve you well!