Rachel Silver

        Visiting a college for the first time can be a memorable thing, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. These are some of the things that you need to know to get the most out of your college tour.

        Extracurriculars are still available in college, and you have even more options. So don’t worry, you don’t just have to leave your favorite activities behind. College is also a great opportunity to try new things: theater, book club, mathletes, and anything and everything else that you haven’t had the chance to try so far. Most colleges also have their own individual groups and activities that are only for that college, so make sure you ask!

        If you play sports now but want to focus on your studies without the weight of a college varsity sport on your shoulders, try intramural sports. Intramurals are typically laid back and mostly just for fun and friendly competition. Depending on your college, there may be more opportunities for sports in intramurals, like volleyball for boys and flag football for girls.

        “Scholarships” is a stressful word to graduating seniors and upcoming juniors, as they cringe at all the paperwork and applications, but money plays a very large role in your college education. When you go on a college tour, be sure to ask about the scholarships that they offer, how much they’re worth, and the requirements. This is good to know sooner rather than later.

        Another thing that could help you pay your way through college is a job. Make sure that you ask about work opportunities on and off campus.
        Where you live and who you live with can sometimes be a stressful choice to make, especially if you don’t know anyone who will be going to your school. In college, there are all sorts of different choices in this department, though not all are available to freshmen. Some schools have dorms, apartments, sororities, and fraternities. Most schools leave the roommate situation up to you, specifically if that college is in a larger city.

        A college tour is a perfect opportunity to ask about some things that you should bring along with you to college. It’s good to know ahead of time and they might even let you tour a dorm to get ideas and see the living situations for yourself. Some colleges offer different living styles and dorms may be gender-specific or co-ed.

        Deciding your major is a huge part of choosing your college. Make sure you ask about specific programs. Grad programs are another good thing to ask about if you plan to further your education past a four year degree. If you don’t know your major, ask about some of your options. If your guide is a student, ask what they like and dislike about their major and the campus in general.

    Make sure you look into the various opportunities that schools offer. If you want to visit and study in other countries, ask about their study abroad program. If you are interested in archaeology, even if it’s not a major, some schools sponsor trips outside of campus to go on digs. You can also go on religious or medical-based mission trips, depending on what your school offers. All of these things look great on applications and resumes.

    Besides academic opportunities, ask about what the town or city is like that the school is in, this is good to know if you’re not from the area.

        So keep these things in mind next time you check out a college and it will make the tour go much smoother!