The new school year's just begun, which means it's just about time to . . . figure out where you want to go next year.

Okay, so maybe it's a bit early to start sending applications in just yet. But you should at least start thinking about your post-secondary plans for next year.

And, to help you make the right post-secondary choice, here are seven simple mistakes to steer clear of when choosing a school.

Family tradition

DO NOT choose a school based solely on the fact that your sibling, parents, and / or grandparents attended classes there.

Now, I know this can be difficult, especially if your parents dressed you in "Random University" pyjamas before you could walk, posted RU pennants up on your wall when you were six, and, more recently, personally handed you a RU application form - complete with a pre-addressed and stamped envelope - to fill out.

But, in the midst of all this family pressure, you need to take a deep breath and ensure your family's traditional alma mater is, indeed, where you see yourself fulfilling your academic goals.

If the school doesn't have the program you want, is too big or too small for your own personal tastes, or simply doesn't seem to 'fit', then it's time to consider breaking with family tradition and doing what's right for you.

The lemming phenomenon

DO NOT attend a school just because your boyfriend / girlfriend / best friend / entire graduating high school class are planning to go there.

Yes, going to a new school where you don't know a single living soul can be incredibly scary. But realizing a few months into your post-secondary education that a school isn't going to be able to prepare you for your chosen career - now that's downright terrifying.

You might also be worried that being the "only one" who went off to a different school will mean you'll lose touch with all your old friends or lose the interest of a long-distance beau.

Frankly, that could happen. But, in today's world of instant messaging and e-mail, staying in touch with the people you love is easier than ever - if you work at it.

Sacrificing your own post-secondary education simply to keep the ol' gang together is just a bad idea. So, don't be a lemming, otherwise you might find yourself following your pals right off an academic cliff.

There's no place like home / Get me as far away as possible

DO NOT let distance be the sole deciding factor in choosing a school.

That means, on the one hand, don't chose a school simply because it will get you as far away from your hometown as possible, and, on the other hand, don't pick the school located near your home just because you're too scared to leave the nest.

There are positives and negatives to both courses of action that need to be considered before choosing either one.

For example, staying near home (or even at home) means you'll be in a familiar environment, close to old friends, and with Mom and Dad just a phone call or short bus ride away. These things can all be both good or bad, depending on your personality.

Meanwhile, going away to school means you'll be forced to be more independent, make new friends, try new things - again, all things that, depending on the kind of person you are, can either result in a great first year or a horrible one.

Keep an open mind, but be sure to do a serious self-assessment before deciding on either route.

Tuition is HOW much?

DO NOT let the cost of tuition determine which schools you apply to.

Money is, of course, a huge consideration when it comes to choosing a school, but don't write off an expensive school just because you don't think you or your family can afford it.

Before making a final decision on a school, be sure to get all the details on student loans, entrance scholarships, bursaries, and other possible monetary sources. You never know - you just might find the money somewhere.

At the same time, don't assume an incredibly expensive school is inherently better than a school with lower tuition rates.

With a little research, you might find out the cheaper school offers a program just as good as - or maybe even better than - the expensive one.

Oooh, look at the pretty statue

DO NOT choose a school based solely on the fact that you saw it in a movie or magazine and thought the campus looked sufficiently academic.

School brochures full of smiling students sitting in front of historic statues only show you the image the school wants to project of itself - not the nuts and bolts of its academic chops.

You need to dig much deeper to ensure a school's exterior beauty is matched by a legitimately academic interior.

You can do this by checking out the reputation of its programs in the work world, researching the qualifications of its professors, or simply talking to students currently attending there.

No one else wants me

DO NOT scrape the bottom of the academic barrel just because you're convinced no other school will accept you.

Even if you didn't earn a perfect GPA in high school, it doesn't mean you don't have a chance at making it into some of Canada's more competitive programs.

If you really have your heart set on attending a certain institution, don't sell yourself short - as long as you meet the basic entrance requirements, you should go for it. Who knows? You might make it in.

That said, don't put all your eggs in one basket. If there's a chance you won't make it into your ideal school, make sure you have a Plan B (or Plan C, D, and E) waiting in the wings.

Everyone says it's . . .

DO NOT choose a school based solely on its 'supposed' reputation.

Here's the thing: a school might have an excellent reputation among its former students and with employers across the country - but you still might hate it there.

It all comes down to personal preference, so do your own research before making a decision. All of the above mistakes can be prevented by simply finding out for yourself what a school has to offer and matching it up to your own post-secondary wish list.

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