I am currently a post-secondary student, and can hopefully shed some light for those up and comers contemplating a post-secondary institution. I went to Uvic for my first year (living on res) then transferred to UBC after as I wasn’t overly happy at Uvic. The way I see it, choosing a school is hard to do because you’re not just choosing a school – you’re choosing a location, a city, and an environment. On top of that, they say it is the people that make the place, and you have to consider the type of personalities attracted to post-secondary institutions, and as well, whether you want to go to a school where you have other friends attending, or, if you want to be a lone wolf out to explore on his own. One must also balance societal expectations with personal expectations with parental wishes. Parental advice is key (and usually comes with much needed financing) but unless you, the student, is happy – others’ joy is irrelevant. So consider all the variables, but in the end, make a decision based largely on your reasoning – and remember nothing is set in stone, if you are unhappy in your school, you can always transfer.