I Recommend Getting Lost on Your College Visit (Really!)

 

Getting Lost.  Allow the community you’re visiting to spontaneously show the type of community it is.  Walk through the quad, campus center, or any other populated area with a map in one hand and a bewildered look on your face.  How long does it take someone to say, “can I help you?”  When someone does ask, if you respond that you’re visiting and are trying to learn more about the school, do they offer their assistance?  Most students I talk to want to find a campus community that is friendly, happy and prideful.  This exercise will tell you all three.  Obviously, interactions with one person doesn’t represent an entire campus, however, it’s a fun exercise and who knows, you might meet a future classmate. 

 

Family Scavenger Hunt.  Asking random questions of strangers is a tall task even for the biggest extrovert.  However, making something a game or competition can sometimes provide necessary motivation.  Let us not forget that we are visiting a campus we may want to call home that should be a place of comfort.  Giving each family member three things or three different people to meet can help students engage people and learn about a school.  Here’s some fun items: find a business major, ask a student about their favorite campus tradition, find someone from your home state, and inquire about a student’s favorite off-campus eatery.  End the conversation with honesty explaining your reason for asking.  With all the orientation programs, ice breakers, and campus groups doing scavenger hunts on campus this exercise will really not surprise anyone and is an opportunity to fully engage multiple non-scripted community members.  And parents, every scavenger hunt ends with a prize, I think a book store apparel purchase is certainly an appropriate expectation (and perhaps checking out that favorite off-campus student eatery too!).

 

Relaxing in Your Living Room.  Exercise the butt and observe your future home where you will spend the most of your academic time, in the primary building for your major.  No matter what a student’s studying there’s one building they will spend more time in than any other.  This is where they will take most of their classes, meet with friends, and hopefully have after class conversations with professors.  The location should immediately feel cozy so take a seat with a great view and watch and observe.  What are you looking for?  How are people interacting, how are they dressed, are people in groups or by themselves, do people look happy, are adults that might be professors engaging students?  You can also take a quick walk and peek into the rectangular classroom door window to see what classes look like.  Perhaps you may get so comfortable you ask someone a question or two.  There’s even the chance someone might strike up a conversation with you! 

 

Try one of these or the trifecta!  You’ll learn a lot about a school.