<p>You always get some kids in college who admit that they chose the wrong school. It could have been their dream school or top choice, but then they end up regretting that they chose it. Obviously you'd have to experience the school to know for sure, but high school students can't always do that. How do you know when it's the university and not you? How can a high school senior choose better?</p>
<p>Visiting a school is probably THE best way to tell if youll like it, especially if you visit when class is in session. You’ll know its a match for you when you walk away saying to yourself “wow this is a place i’d want to spend 4 years of my life at”. Besides visiting you should do lots of research too. Word of mouth, websites like this, the colleges websites, etc. Know what kind of classes youre required to take at a school, what the student body is like, whats popular on campus, etc. </p>
<p>Unfortunately its impossible for everyone to attend a college they like. Some don’t get into that fit school, some cant afford it, and some just like you said, choose wrong. </p>
<p>What helped me though was visiting for sure. When I went to visit Penn State as a junior I knew right away that was the place for me before I even left.</p>
<p>I agree - visit and sit in and see what it is like. That said, keep in mind, that ultimately you determine a lot about whether or not you will like your school. Get involved, get excited about it and no matter where you are, you will be happier.</p>
<p>Before visiting, read. After you’ve read and made decisions, go visit and confirm or infirm these impressions. 
Read the descriptions in the Fiske Guide, The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges, the Insider’s Guide to the Colleges. KNow yourself - are you rather quirky, nerdy, sporty, a mix of it all? Would you like to wear a tie and a button down shirt to go to school or would you rather wear shorts and flip flops? Is attending a big football or basketball game essential to you or does tailgating make no sense to you? Are intramurals and club sports a bigger consideration than spectator sports? Do you love the idea of defending a cause with a protest or has the thought never crossed your mind? Is your faith a central part of your identity? Do you want to study abroad?
What’s your idea of a fun weekend, party/puke/sleep/tailgate/watch game/party/wake up somewhere/go to brunch/catch up on hw, or go to cafe/go to restaurant/go to movies/go to club/sleep/go to brunch/go to library/play frisbee/party a while/play xbox/sleep/meet friends at diner/group work?</p>
<p>Figuring things about yourself will help you find the right schools - there are many of them, by the way, there’s no such thing as “a dream school”, there are lots of good fit, it just takes a little work to find them :)</p>