College Decision Day falls on May 1 this year, marking a major milestone for many high school seniors as they face one of the biggest decisions of their lives: where to spend the next four years. It’s an exciting moment, but one that can also feel overwhelming.
To better understand what really matters once students arrive on campus, I spoke with Ani Roberts, a sophomore on the University of Southern Maine women’s soccer team, who went through the college decision process more recently.
Keep reading for her perspective on what ended up making the biggest difference in her experience, and what turned out to matter less than she expected.
Q:
What made you choose USM in the first place?
A:
I chose USM because of its business program, the women’s soccer team, and the location.
I knew for most of high school that I wanted to study business — I was intrigued by how businesses worked and operated, and liked the idea of owning a business one day. I also love that having a degree or in-depth knowledge about business is crucial to the workforce, and USM’s business program is one of the best.
Soccer was also a top priority. I knew from a young age that I wanted to play in college. At the time, USM’s team had won two LEC conference titles. I wanted to be challenged, and be at a college where I could always improve. When I came for my official visit, I immediately fell in love with the team and knew I would fit in.
When it comes to location, I knew I wanted to be on the East Coast. USM was a “far away, but close enough” feel for me. It’s about two hours from my hometown. I also wanted the city, and although I am living in Gorham, I still go into Portland almost every day. I absolutely love being near Portland — and an easy train ride from Boston. The two campuses can be challenging with classes, soccer schedules, and time, but it’s kind of the best of both worlds.
Q:
What’s something you worried about before committing that ended up not being a big deal?
A:
Deciding on my major was something I stressed about. I’ve actually stuck with the same one so far, but I’ve started to realize how flexible things really are here. You can explore different subjects, and even if you graduate with a business degree, you’re not locked into one career path. There’s no single ‘right’ choice — it’s about the path you create for yourself.
Q:
What’s something you didn’t think about enough before committing?
A:
My social life outside of the soccer team. At the time, it felt like being part of a team would automatically cover everything socially, and in some ways it does: there are built-in friendships, structure, and a strong sense of community. However, I didn’t realize how limiting that can feel if most of my interactions were within the same group of people every day.
While I love my teammates, I’ve expanded my social circle through peers in my classes, clubs, on-campus jobs, and activities. Having these other social connections helped me feel more connected to the overall campus. It can be challenging to make that extra effort to reach out and find friends, but I’m always so glad I do it every year. My schedule revolves heavily around soccer — and taking extra steps to meet new people wasn’t something I anticipated beforehand.
Q:
What advice would you give to high school seniors deciding on college right now?
Think about all aspects of college, but don’t feel like your decision has to be permanent. You can always change your path or start fresh.
A:
Think about more than just the academic stuff — the social side, the campus, what your day-to-day is actually going to look like. But don’t put so much pressure on the decision itself. You can change your major, adjust your plans, figure things out as you go. It’s not as permanent as it feels right now.
Q:
Has your perspective on USM changed since you got there?
A:
Yes — in both positive and negative ways.
There have been more opportunities than I expected at USM. My perspective has really shifted from thinking soccer would be my only focus to finding ways to balance soccer with everything else. I’ve worked as a Residential Assistant (RA), which not only provides financial benefits, but also introduces me to a lot of new peers. I’ve been able to network and connect with people through soccer, clubs, campus events, and activities. The opportunities are endless, but do require time and effort.
As I mentioned earlier, building a social life can be challenging, which is something I didn’t fully consider before committing. You really make your own college experience — it isn’t always handed to you. However, once you have a social circle, finding fun activities and creating an enjoyable college experience becomes much easier.
What stood out most to me from this conversation — as someone who’s about to graduate — is how much flexibility exists in college and how little of this decision is truly permanent. Ani’s experience is a reminder that some of the day-to-day realities, like building a social life, can matter just as much as academics or athletics.
If you’re making a decision about college right now, it’s worth thinking beyond programs and rankings. Consider where you’ll feel comfortable, how you’ll build community, and what kind of environment will help you grow — not just academically, but also personally.
