This spring break, while most people were posting beach sunsets and boat days, I was posting college campuses. Below, I will break down everything I learned in ten days, from ten college tours.
The first thing to expect is that everything will feel exciting … at first. The first campus will seem perfect. The second one, too. By the third, you will start noticing patterns. By the fifth, you will realize every school describes itself as having “rigorous academics,” a “close-knit community” and “endless opportunities.” At some point, you will wonder if colleges are all using the same group chat to plan their tours.
You will also start to realize that what matters most to you may change. You might go in focused on a school’s rankings or reputation, but end up focusing more on things like campus energy, how approachable students seem or whether you can realistically see yourself living there for four years. It is less about finding the “best” school and more about finding the one that does not feel like a “major” mistake.
Another thing to expect is exhaustion. Touring sounds easy until you are walking miles across campus, sitting through countless information sessions and trying to stay focused while hearing the same phrases over and over again. In the end, you are not just evaluating colleges; they are testing your endurance. And then there is the blur. This is real. Campuses, dorms, dining halls … they start to blend in your brain like one giant academic smoothie. You will think you remember which school had the amazing library or the weirdly confusing layout … until you realize you have completely mixed them up.
You should also expect moments that surprise you. A school you were not excited about might end up feeling right. A “dream school” might not click at all. That is normal. Vibes matter more than brochures, and sometimes your gut has stronger opinions than any ranking list.
If you are going into this process, here are some DOs and DO NOTs to keep you sane:
DO:
- Keep a journal. Even quick notes help. Otherwise, every campus will blur together and leave you thinking, “Wait … which school had the good vibes and which one had the scary dining hall?” Keep in mind, you will need to answer the “Why” for each school when applying, and this will help.
- Focus on how each place feels, not just how it looks. You can not major in vibes, but they matter.
- Talk to current students; they will give you the most accurate perspective.
- Stay open-minded. Your opinions will change, and that is kind of the point. Reflect on each college and how it compares to those before it.
DO NOT:
- Schedule multiple tours in one day. The second school you tour is automatically at a disadvantage. You are tired, distracted and still thinking about the first campus. It is basically an unfair academic comparison.
- Expect to find “the one” immediately. This is not a rom-com. You do not need love at first “tour.”
- Get too caught up in prestige. A big name does not guarantee a good experience.
- Ignore your gut. If something feels off, do not try to talk your way out of it; trust that instinct.
You are not just looking at campuses; you are imagining your future over and over again in different places. That is a big deal. It is okay if you do not have everything figured out by the end. Remember, you are just trying to figure out where you want to apply.
