As tours are in session and will be kicking into full gear soon, it is important to have an open mind and prior information and tips. One of the most important parts of a college search is the tour that one goes on to experience the campus. Tours can make or break someone's opinion on a certain school. It can sometimes be intimidating and stressful trying to find your perfect "home," but everything falls into place.
1. Go on an actual tour.
When I first visited Fairfield, I simply walked around with my family. I didn't have the opportunity to go inside buildings and see what was really at Fairfield. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to later go on an actual tour and I really got to see what the school had to offer.
2. Go into different tours with an open mind.
One may think that they like a big school compared to a small school, but once the tour is over, it can totally switch. Don't allow prior opinions get in the way. I remember before touring Fairfield, I thought that I wanted to go to a huge football school. Afterward, my mind completely changed and I was set on FU (we only have around 6,000 students and we do not have a football team at all).
3. Hope that the weather is nice.
A rainy day can totally mess up the entire experience and mood of the tour. No college student enjoys a day walking from class-to-class getting soaked, so hope Mother Nature is on your side for your scheduled tour day.
4. Visit the campus bookstore.
Buy any type of apparel or souvenir to remember your tour. The bookstore shows how school spirited the school is and I know for me, it made me super excited to attend the school.
5. Go on a bunch of tours.
It is important to see what all different schools offer. See big, medium and small schools. See warm weather and cold weather schools. I toured over 15 schools and at that point, I knew that Fairfield was my top choice because I would compare all my other tours to Fairfield.
6. Talk to someone from your intended major.
It's important to find someone that studies your interests. Talk about the requirements, the professors, the work load and anything else that you can think of. Ask whether your major is competitive and how many people are enrolled in the same study.
7. Bring a pen and paper, but don't go on your phone.
It's important to jot down notes and things that catch your eye. Also, stay off your phone. Tours don't last that long, so make sure that you are paying close attention to what's going on. You can always add a Snapchat to your Snap Story and take photos once the tour is over.
