Catching your dreams starts with seizing opportunities; it is important not to let any chance flow past you. One such opportunity is the option of going to college and pursuing secondary education, and it is important for students to make the most of their college experience by selecting the right college for them. College visits are essential tools in helping us to find our dream schools.
As students, we should visit various colleges because the experience will let you know what you want to pursue as an adult. Whether the campus is the one for you depends on the real experience that you get once you see the real buildings, the real students, and the real college life.
If you are thinking about missing a couple days of school to visit your dream college, do not hesitate; simply step out and start your college treasure hunt. It is like digging for pearls; the harder you work, the better results you get.
Visiting colleges will help you understand campuses better as a whole, and lets you understand the direction you want to take after high school. You will find different types of colleges such as urban colleges like Boston University, suburban colleges like Stanford University or small town or rural campuses such as Penn State.
Freshmen should understand the benefits of college visits as well. Wang Xin’17 said, “I love college visits! Just thinking about all the beautiful campuses that is waiting for me makes me smile. I believe that college visits are great because they let you feel the personality of each college and open up a variety of choices for me to take.”
Do not wait any longer. Do some research and start by jotting down some of your favorite colleges now. Sophomore year is a good time to start college visits. It is necessary to start planning for the future, and that is why missing a few days of school to experience campus life will have a huge impact.
Anu Korukonda’16 said that, “I visited Yale University by taking a day off from school, even though I missed some in class assignments, it was totally worth it!” Visiting colleges is once in a lifetime chance; missing a day of school will not do any harm, but missing a chance to visit your dream college can be a lifelong regret.
Of course we cannot forget the juniors and the seniors; college visiting are especially important for them to find the right school after high school.
Alex Smith’15 shares, “Actually seeing the college yourself is the only way to really understand a college and knowing what you want for the future.” Of course, physically going to the colleges is far more realistic than visualizing them. Not only can you walk around the campus and get a feel of being a student, you will be able to absorb the campus’s atmosphere. In fact, what’s better than walking by the shops around campus and treating yourself with some refreshments? Simply sit down at a local shop, sipping a cup of brewed coffee to imagine yourself being a student there. See if you actually enjoy being around at that campus!
Visiting colleges will let you know how diverse a college is, what kind of food it serves for lunch, and how big the dorm space. Not to mention, you will get to know the size of a regular class and the ratio between professors and students. Also, if you happen to walk through the hallway of the university, try reading their bulletin board. Not only can you understand the activities that are available such as clubs, plays, or other student activities to help you understand the college further.
Teachers also encourage students to explore different colleges to learn more about the individual schools. Mrs. John, an English teacher, said, “I definitely believe that students should visit all campuses they are interested in attending, and, if possible, arrange those visits for when there are students on campus. This helps to provide a more accurate picture of the general attitude and demeanor of the campus.”
Next time when your parents ask you to visit colleges, gladly accept their offer, and set a bright base for your future. Do not forget to take some photos to remind you of each college, they will be beneficial when the time come to decide the one college that suits you. Good luck!