Is it strange that I started planning for college in the eighth grade? Maybe, but strange doesn't always mean bad. Because I started my college search so early, I had plenty of time to figure out exactly what I wanted in a school. I used to think I wanted to go somewhere big and prestigious and far away from here. My ideas about college have changed a lot since then.

There are so many factors to consider when choosing a college, and because everyone has individual interests and values, the process is anything but simple. The best place to start is online. There are free college match services online, where students can answer questions about what they want in a school and, based on their answers, receive a list of their top college matches. The College Board website, collegeboard.org, has a good one.

Some things to consider include housing, extracurricular activities and cost — just to name a few. Some colleges require freshmen to live on campus. Others have on-campus radio stations and some do not. Features like these can be deal-breakers, so it's important to do plenty of research.

For some, cost is a deal-breaker — but it doesn't always have to be. There are millions of dollars available to students in the form of grants and scholarships. Go out there and get them!

Money is no reason for someone not to apply to the college of their dreams — finding that perfect school should be the hardest part, not paying for it. Collegeprowler.com is another great resource for teens, especially as they begin to narrow down their college lists. Collegeprowler provides reviews by students on a range of topics including Greek life, safety and academics.

Choosing a college is a huge decision. It requires a lot of thought and research and Googling of every little thing. Choosing a college is almost as stressful as the application process itself, but that "I'm going to college!" feeling after everything is settled is 100 percent worth it.

Tori Velarde is a senior at Santa Fe High School. You can reach her at tori@velardenm.com.