Don't overwhelm yourself, but try not to procrastinate either. Take the proper time to dip your toe in the pool before you go in. Colleges will practically jump up to give you a tour, because you are potential business. Not to sound cynical or anything, but colleges are a business before anything else.

I didn't visit many colleges before I went, but I did do College Prep, so I took some college level courses for like 2 summers. You see, I had gotten myself into a bind, because of how I was thinking back then. I thought I would apply to about 5 colleges, and which ever one accepted me, boom I'd go there. I didn't count on the chance that I'd be accepted in to all five, so I had to make a decision. xp. So yeah I am an indecisive person. That's why I say look at what you like, and your stability first. I settled on a school that provided me with mass communications, theatre, martial arts, close to home, and was the least expensive at about 18,000 (per year I think). I got to experience all that I wanted to.

Lastly,(If I haven't talked too much already), connect with your school's counselor, and the counselors in the schools to which you wish to apply. Many people like initiative, and the ability to be personable. It'll take you far.

Of course the "realistic" and "practical" outcome of all of this that I have mostly for my family's sake is to be a mortician. Not really related in any way, but it gives me something to base my high school courses along, as well as a beautiful setting for anything in the horror category Also because I seem to get along better with the dead than the living. Heh. :-/

This is a GREAT topic! Thank you!

I was raised, in a way, believing college to be more of just further mandatory schooling than optional education for a career.

I do have a few different cameras I've been looking into trying to get over time, which will undoubtedly end up being digital, despite my love for traditional film, digital is more convenient.

Lately I've just been trying to balance out what I want to do with what is expected of me, not always the easiest thing.

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Cinematography-Fundamentals-Techniques-Workflows/dp/0240817915/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434989590&sr=1-1&keywords=digital+cinematography&pebp=1434989599299&perid=00BJDXQQC5ERPGAR26B2

Not inexpensive but if Keanu and those filmmakers recommend it, it's the one book I'd buy. I haven't gotten it yet, but I plan to buy it.

Doing what's expected of us is always "easier" but doing what your heart calls you to do is, as Mary Oliver says in her beautiful poem "Summer Day" the right thing to do with your "one wild and precious life."

Best of luck to you!