It’s Summer! Go on a College Field Trip

If you’re a high school student, you probably have a list of activities to do over the summer: hang out with friends, watch movies, or go to the beach. Here’s another suggestion – go check out a college campus! This can be a lot of fun with no strings attached. Your family and friends will probably be excited for the trip suggestion! Even if the college that may be close to your home is not your #1 choice, walking around the campus can give you a sense of what you are and aren’t looking for in a college.

While checking out a college campus, you can also get a feel for its town or city by scoping out the college’s surrounding areas. Perhaps you like two different colleges, but like the location of one over the other. You may notice you would rather live on campus then off campus or that you like a large city over a small town. 

Even when many middle and high schools are closed over the summer – the college summer semester (though drastically less busy then the fall and spring semesters) is in full swing. Muster the courage and ask students you see walking on the campus what they like and don’t like about their college. Ask them what there is to do in the area. Ask them if they have any advice for prospective freshmen.

You can also call the college and inquire if they have any summer tours going on. If not, ask the college if you’ll be able to check out the library, the dorms (if applicable), and any other amenities for students – like their gym and bookstore.

If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, “window shopping” for your future college is free and fun!

Post by Sarah Powers, Former Instructional Designer at FLVS