Terrifying as it may be, it is time to sew our heads on straight and figure out what in the world we’re doing with our futures. One step in the right direction is to walk on over to that college or university you’ve been eyeing for awhile now. In my first visit, I had no idea what I was getting into. Here’s to making sure you’re a little bit more clued in than I was. These tips will help you to make the most of your college visit wherever it may take you.

1. Have an idea of what you’re getting into. Visit the school’s website beforehand and be aware of what the college has to offer. You don’t want to waste your time visiting a college you have no interest in attending at the get-go.
2. Be sure to go on a visit at the right time. Always try to make an effort to go when the semester is in full swing. You’ll get a sense of what it would be like to go there－the atmosphere in its entirety. I would definitely consider the weather as well. Seniors: the best time to visit is now! If you haven’t booked a visit yet, I propose you do so. The fall is the best season to visit before applications need to be sent in. Juniors: I know that it’s scary to even begin to think about your future plans, but I suggest that you start. The best time to visit is fall (for the well-prepared junior) or early spring. Try not to put it off!
3. Bring a pen and a package of sticky notes. Writing down any specific thing that you liked or did not like about the college or university will help you when you come to make your decision in the end. Write down any question that pops into your head, take note of important information and dates, and any other fun fact that might sway your decision from one school versus the next.
4. Ask all of your questions. Don’t be afraid to ask any question you may have because 1) it is their job to help you understand everything their college or university has to offer and 2) this visit is about your future and the more you know about what it entails the better.
5. Visit the campus living facilities. In the circumstance that you should end up attending this college, you should be aware of the kind of facility you would be living in whether it be a residence hall or an apartment complex. Many schools require that incoming freshman live in the dormitories on campus so I highly recommend looking into one.
6. Talk to a student. Typically your tour guide is a college student so they will be at your disposal to answer any questions about their particular school. Hopefully you are lucky enough to talk to a student in the field of study you would want to go into.
7. If an opportunity to talk to someone in your field of interest arises, then take advantage of it. This way you can get a sense of what your studies will entail at that specific school and what kind of options you will have in your chosen degree.
8. If you’re interested in playing a sport in college, I recommend you contact the coach for that sport to see if they are available to meet with you on your visit. They’ll be able to give you important dates and maybe even guide you on the track to make the team. You’ll be able to establish a relationship with them from the beginning. It shows that you’re proactive if you show interest early on and that may help in the end game when coaches make their cuts.
9. Visit the town in which the college is located. After all, this may be the place you call home for the next few years. You’ll get a feel for whether or not you like the setting. If you didn’t enjoy a college in a big city maybe try a more suburban school and vise versa.
10. If you have the chance to stay overnight on campus with a student, take advantage of the opportunity. It will literally put you into the shoes of a college student giving you every possibility to soak it all in.

  Now that you have all this knowledge of how to go about your college visits, take it and put it to good use. Where is your future taking you?