September 1, 2021

College is such a vital stage in a child’s life. It may bring a lot of tears to parents, but for the child, this is a big moment. Where they choose to spend their college career is such a nerve racking decision that could have such a huge impact on their futures. 

Jumping blindly into college may be the option some students choose. They will forgo the college tours, and that is totally fine. Others, though, may choose to pursue the latter route to try and get a better feel of finding the school that is best for them. The only problem is where to start and what to expect. These things may seem daunting and confusing, but with a little help, students can properly navigate through the confusion and discover their home for the next few semesters.

Put together a list of schools that the child would be interested in. It is best to organize them in terms of initial interest level as well as take into account distance from home, noting any that happen to be out of state. Those tours would be a bit harder to organize. 

There are also several different types of tours depending on the circumstances. There are organized group tours, quick sessions, overnight stays, and you could even just go on your own informal visit of campus. No matter the case, one should expect an information session and a campus tour. The information session typically occurs before the campus tour and involves an admissions representative presenting general information to students about the college and answering any questions that they may have. Following that, there will be a campus tour which is usually led by a current student. They will take potential students around campus showing them the main parts of it while answering any questions that may arise.

It is important to remember that one is never alone in this process. Every college should have an admissions office. They are there to help plan visits and answer any questions that may arise no matter how small. To get the best out of a college tour, one must be sure to never be afraid to ask questions. That will help figure out exactly what the university provides in terms of tours. 

For those out-of-state colleges, one could find out information about potentially staying in a dorm overnight to truly get immersed in the college experience. For those concerned about finances, they could potentially meet a financial aid advisor who can help answer any questions. For those interested in potential clubs or sports, they could potentially even be able to sit through a club meeting or a sports practice session. The list goes on and on, so do not hesitate to ask questions. There will most likely be current students walking around; they will be more than happy to answer any questions you have as well. 

Once there, remember to enjoy the moment. Encourage your student-to-be to explore campus and truly think about whether or not he can walk through this same campus years from now and still be in awe over the fact that he is a student there.