What can I do to get a more behind-the-scenes look at colleges or universities?
I often hear from students and parents that they don’t feel like they’re getting an accurate reading on a college or university when they go on guided tours. If you’re feeling like this, it’s for good reason. I get it. Taking a college tour with a guide who has a rehearsed script can feel fake. And certainly taking a virtual tour on the school’s website can limit you to seeing only the picture-perfect presentation of life on campus. That’s great if you take the virtual tour, but a school’s website can feel like a bit of a travel brochure.
Let’s dig deeper, why don’t we? Have you ever used hashtags on Instagram or TikTok to research a school? This can be quite insightful. Get ready, though, because some of this content can be rather unfiltered (understatement!). Parties? Events? Protests? Sororities? Classroom activities? Dorms? Dining hall food? Campus security? Friend groups? Clubs? Athletics teams? Study abroad adventures? Student-led organizations? On-campus employment opportunities? Interviews with professors and staff? Fun off-campus extracurricular activities? Local hangouts? It’s all there. It turns out, students, staff, and alumni love posting about their experiences. Sure, seeing a school through someone else’s lens might be limiting, but think of it as a colorful documentary. You can interpret what you see however you want.
Want to explore even further? Feel like you have to see it to feel it? I understand completely. Maybe you might want to take an actual trip to the campus during a school week to see everyone in action! Where do you go? Try making a list of the places around campus where you would see yourself spending time. Then go see those places on your own, no tour required. However, some places might have limited access, like labs or dining halls, for example. You might not be able to see everything, but surely enough to get a behind-the-scenes vibe! Some of these places might include:
The Student Union (This is where they have stores, restaurants, businesses, coffee shops, lounge areas, study nooks, and even banking and travel resources.)
The library (Do they have comfy spots to post up and study for hours at a time? What are the hours of the library? Do they have research assistance available? Private presentation rooms to book for group projects and meetings?)
Labs and technological resources (What kinds of labs do they have that are special to the campus? Do they have an observatory? Telescopes? A planetarium? Computer labs? Supercomputers? Language and audio labs? Recording studios?)
Restaurants and dining halls (Are there lots of restaurants and to-go food around the campus? What does the food actually look like? Do they have vegetarian or vegan options? Are the dining halls inviting? How late are the restaurants and dining halls open?)
Places of worship (Are there any on campus? Do you have a preference for a certain faith? If they’re not on campus, how close are they?)
Athletic facilities (Is there easy access to athletic facilities? What are the hours of operation?)
Sororities and fraternities (Are they on campus? If they’re not on campus, where are they? What are their residential facilities like?)
Parking garages (Where are they? How much do they cost? Are they well lit at night? Does it even make sense to have a car on campus?)
Alternative places to study (Are there places to study other than the library? Are these places indoors or outdoors? Are they well-lit at night? Are they well-equipped with comfy furniture and plenty of outlets for your devices?)
Performing arts facilities (Do they have a theater? Playhouse? Auditorium? Stage? Music venue? Amphitheater?)
College is about a whole lot more than just your classes and curriculum. It’s the tiny details that make up your college experience. Figure out what’s important for you and go check it out! Feel free to reach out to me if you would like me to help you design and plan your own college adventures!
Just fill out the Contact Form at the link below, and we’ll set up a meeting.
https://www.holisticacademicdevelopment.com/contact
Phone: Carolyn @ +1 (760) 704-9226
Email: Carolyn@holisticacademicdevelopment.com
