Common Myths
A few widespread beliefs about universities and studying, and why they don't hold up.
Myth: The facts are already set - there is one objectively "best" university or major, and it's the same answer for everyone.
Fact: What counts as "best" is not a fixed, universal fact. It depends on your goals, learning style, budget, and the kind of environment you thrive in. Two students can look at the exact same university and have completely different experiences - one might flourish there, the other might struggle. There is no single right answer, only what's right for you.
Myth: A university's ranking tells you how good the university is, and whether you'll be happy there.
Fact: Rankings mostly measure things like research output, funding, and reputation among academics, not teaching quality, day-to-day student life, or how well a place fits your personality. A highly ranked university can be a poor personal fit and even provide you with a poor teaching and and overall negative experience, while a lower-ranked one can be exactly where a student thrives. Of course, this does not mean that highly ranked universities are not good choices, but rankings are just one aspect within your decision making process.
Myth: It doesn't matter which country you study in. If you study a particular major, for example law, it's the same at almost every university in that country.
Fact: Curricula, teaching styles, class sizes, career opportunities, and even how hands-on or theoretical a subject is taught can vary enormously between countries, and even between universities in the same country, and even when the major has the same name on paper.
Myth: Choosing a major, in another words a course of study, is not a big deal. I'll just study what my friends are studying, because I'm already used to that environment.
Fact: Your major shapes years of your studies and can influence your career for a long time. Feeling comfortable around a certain group of friends is not the same as being a good fit for a field of study. Those are two separate decisions things, and it's worth thinking about them separately. Moreover most people make long lasting friednships in university, so you will have the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends even if you choose a different major or university than your friends.
Myth: You need to get into a famous, top-ranked university to be successful.
Fact: Success depends far more on how a student uses their opportunities, their initiative, and how well their environment fits them than on a university's name recognition. Plenty of accomplished people did not attend the most famous institutions, and plenty of students at famous institutions never make the most of what's on offer. That being said, a university's reputation can open doors and provide networking opportunities, but it is not the sole determinant of success.
Myth: If I pick the "wrong" major or university now, my future is basically decided and I can't change course later.
Fact: Changing majors, transferring, or adding further studies later on is more common than one might think and often part of a normal academic journey. Good guidance early on is about making an informed decision and avoiding unnecessary detours, and not locking yourself into one irreversible choice. Moreover, staying in a major or university that is not a good fit can lead to wasted time, money, and energy, so it's worth investing in making a well-informed choice from the start.