- Back to school already? Wow, summer sure went fast…
The transition from high school to college is generally one of the biggest life shifts you’ll experience. You’ll suddenly be thrust into the adult world in a much larger capacity than before. This naturally comes with a lot of anxiety during the years leading up to it about finding the perfect school. As a result, college visits can be overwhelming — but they don’t have to be if you go in prepared.
1. Schedule an Official Visit
Some people will go to the campus without a plan or scheduled visit to see it on a normal day. But official, registered visits still showcase campus and are actually far more informative. Plus, they are structured to keep the day exciting. They usually begin with an information session before you explore. They provide a specific time slot and, once it passes, you can review what you experienced at your leisure.
An official campus tour will also likely take you to places you wouldn’t otherwise have access to as an outsider. It can be fun seeing less public spaces, and it gives you a peek at their amenities firsthand. You can also meet important people you’ll need to know, like the financial aid office workers, registrar, and career services.
2. Plan Your Trip Out in Advance
A trip to visit colleges often takes you to new cities, states, or even countries. Taking in all of the school information is already a hefty task and navigating the area will only be harder. That’s why it’s important to plan your trip in advance to familiarize yourself with your itinerary and the area.
This is especially helpful on trips when you’re stopping to see multiple colleges because it makes the travel simpler. You’re already learning so much about these schools, so don’t overwhelm yourself by getting lost. It’s great to explore the benefits of the location of the college. See the vibes of the local hangout, but don’t get overwhelmed. Do your research to choose particular spots to stop, whether that’s the local park, bowling alley, or some restaurants.
3. Take Notes During the Information Session
Almost every college visit will include an information session before the campus tour. This is the time when you want to really zone in on taking notes and jotting down the details. You’ll be sitting still for the duration and can listen at the same time as opposed to an active tour. It may be easier now to ask questions so when you leave, you’ll know more about your particular interests.
This can also keep you more engaged on the tour, so you can listen to the guide and take pictures. Rather than being distracted with a burning question, or interrupting the tour for others, you can refer back to your notes. If the information session is scheduled for after the tour, then you can still relax until then.
4. Relax and Enjoy the Tour
Seeing a campus for the first time feels similar to entering an amusement park, and you can feel the anticipation. Let that positivity wash over you and allow yourself to get excited and enjoy the experience. Try not to focus on too many distractions. The more immersed you are in the campus experience, the easier it will be to feel if it clicks.
This means listening to and engaging with not only the guide but also other prospective students in the same boat. Who knows — you may even make a friend or two long before move-in day! Remember when looking for the right college for you, it should be one that feels right.
5. Grab a Map
Nothing will aid your tour immersion and help you situate yourself like the bird’s-eye view provided by a campus map. The combination of the types of information you’ll receive — auditory and visual — is far more grounding than just one. The map itself may also act as a brochure and provide several details you otherwise would need to write down.
It may make not only your tour simpler but also, eventually, your first few weeks. Being familiar with the names of buildings on campus can save you valuable time navigating to your classes. As a bonus, a campus map makes a nice memento from your trip, regardless of whether you end up attending. If the trip involves multiple schools, then you can collect them all to look back on them together to compare.
6. Ask Questions
As previously mentioned, your tour guide is there to show you around the campus both inside and out. They are meant to provide answers to any questions you may have at any time. Most of the time they’re current students themselves, which means they can give you a more day-to-day perspective. Any small detail you miss during any presentations, like where the bathrooms are or what late-night food is available, they’re perfect to ask.
Don’t be afraid to ask about their lives as well, like the classes they take or where they hang out. This information will be very useful for your freshman year, should you choose to enroll. Being familiar with what the average day looks like for students will help you know what to expect.
This new chapter in life can be scary, but as you continue to prepare, it’s really not so bad. Once you get used to this information and the lifestyle, you’ll fit right in. Just know it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, and take care of yourself to avoid being too stressed about the situation. Ultimately you’ll have an exciting time, and college visits are a great catalyst to push through the rest of high school.
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