The very first thing you need to think about really carefully is:
Do you REALLY want a tattoo?
The most common reasons for people to get tattooed are:
- You want to show your uniqueness and individuality
- You want to please your partner
- You want to belong to a group that has tattoos
- You want to identify with a subculture which is known for tattoos
The most important thing you should keep in mind is that you will still be tattooed 20 years from now. What if you get your diploma(s) in order to get a job, but no one will hire you because of your tattoo(s)?
Getting a tattoo removed is very expensive!
You could try a temporary tattoo first (like an airbrush-tattoo or even tattooed sleeves) to see if you really would like to have a real one. This way you can check it out without the pain and you can remove it in case you do not like it anymore (in certain occasions).
When you thought about it and you still want a tattoo, you must make sure that you pick the right one. There are a lot of different types to choose from (like tribal, oriental, portrait and much more). My advice would be to take your time to think about this.
I would not tattoo a name on my body (personally), other than my childrens names. Your kids will always be your kids, but with a partner you never know...
Once you have decided which type you want, you have to choose the colours (black/grey or a lot of colours). After you know exactly what you want, you have to choose the body part you want your tattoo on. The best thing to do is to make sure that you can cover the tattoo on some occasions (by your clothes, or even by jewelry).
When you know exactly what you want and where you want it to be on your body, make sure you go to a good tattoo-artist and not someone who does it at home or at parties, make sure the hygiene is good! The best would be choosing an artist who is specialized in the type of tattoo that you want.
Keeping these things in mind, you are most likely not going to be one of the persons who regrets their tattoos...