So if you were like me on my first few college tours (or all of them for that matter) you might have missed out on asking all of these important questions or imagining a thousand different scenarios other than living with the perfect roommate or the head-turning outfit you were going to wear to your first frat party. Here’s what you missed:
1. Off-campus living
Not everyone lives on campus. Shocker right?! But it sure does feel that way on tours. Looking back at all the colleges I visited, Rollins included, not once did I remember anyone mention all the fun activities off-campus students could participate in. That being said: ASK! ASK! ASK! Many students aren’t aware that living off-campus may be a reality for them until they get their first tuition bill and by then it’s too late. So don’t be afraid to be the odd one out. Find out what clubs, jobs, Greek life, and facilities are available for commuters. Keep your options open.
2. Campus Checklist
So I don’t know about you, but Rollins offered every student a bucket list of things to achieve before leaving. It ranges from discovering the secret underground tunnel between Annie Russel Theatre and Knowles to getting a signature and a hot Krispy-Kreme donut on Fox Day. Needless to say every campus has some sort of outrageous list. And when you get to senior year and you realize that you’ve only done two things on that list, relish in the fact that you’ve earned yourself a tub of Ben and Jerry’s for even completing one. Which brings me to the next point.
3. Eating Around Town
The best thing about going to college is going to a college smack dab in the middle of some of the best eating establishments in the city. While on tour, your guide may enthusiastically tell you about all the delicious food around town and trust me you are going to want to go to all of them and broaden your palate and blah blah blah… chances are you won’t. They don’t tell you that you’re going to be addicted to the first restaurant you see. My guide told us about BurgerFi and I eagerly went and haven’t gone past that part of Park Ave since. Moral of the story: don’t get stuck in the rut. Push yourself to go past that delicious burger joint or sub shop and live a little.
4. Freshman 15
So everyone always mentions the Freshman 15 or as it’s commonly known the Freshman 45 but tours never really goes into the topic.The tour guide probably takes you on this cute trip to the gym after mentioning it briefly, where everyone is in color coordinated outfits and just looks so amazing.
Anyway the Freshman 15 is a real thing and the worst part is the first to trip to the gym. Between you, me and this computer screen, my first trip to the gym after gaining like a zillion pounds from eating Sodexo Gold and Blue plates and Chipotle burritos, I was terrified. I had no idea what to do and two minutes later I left. Pace yourself. The food is not going anywhere. I repeat the food is NOT going anywhere. I promise.
5. The Abundance of Help
Remember that spiel your tour guide gave you in-between bragging about their study abroad trip and showing you the good dorms (not McKean)? You know the one where there is someone ready to lend a helping hand at practically every corner…yeah that doesn’t exist at least not so openly. From experience finding help can be hard especially if you don’t know who to ask or what to ask for. That being said, get to know everyone especially the staff at the Library, Bursar Office, and Student Records, you are going to need them. But don't take it the wrong way, Rollins has plenty of resources, you just have to know where to look.
So I hope you were paying attention this time and if not there is a really awesome scroll bar to your right, feel free to re-read it. Remember enjoy the ride and good luck!
