DON'T follow your friends to school. Unless you are exactly alike, you will have different interests and goals in life. Do your own research and choose your own school.
DON'T follow your boyfriend/girlfriend to a school. Following your (present) significant other school is a bad idea for the same reason that following your friends to school is. If it's meant to be - your relationship will survive the distance for a year.
DON'T go to a school just because your parents went there. If it does not have the program that you want, your parents' Alma Matter does not matter.
DON'T go to the school down the road (unless they have the program you want). It becomes convenient because you know the neighborhood - but unless it has your desired program - it's like fitting a square peg in a round hole.
DON'T let anyone discourage you. Don't let anyone tell you that you are not smart enough to get into a desired school or program. Apply. The worst that can happen is that you don't get in and then you can apply to a different program or fix what the problem is and reapply.
DON'T watch a movie or TV show and decide that that is what you want to do. You have to consider your own interests and do your own real life research - the real life profession may not be as glamorous as Hollywood makes it.
DON'T be afraid to go out of the city you live in, the province you're in or even your country. Expand your horizons - going to school abroad is a wonderful way to see the world. Also, if you want to become a marine biologist - you might consider studying someplace besides Saskatchewan.
DON'T be afraid to ask for more information. Visit the profiles of the schools you are interested in on SchoolFinder.com. If you can't find what you are looking for, contact them and ask them to send you information or ask them specific questions.
In the end there is you and your HOMEWORK.
There are many other don'ts and lots of dos, but in the end choosing a school comes down to one thing - homework. Do the research, ask questions, consider your options, and choose.
