What to Look for on a College Tour

One of the great advantages of the digital age is that you can conduct research without ever leaving your home. During your college search, you can find colleges that match your interests and career goals, and their websites will provide you with valuable information that will weigh into your decision. Some websites even offer virtual tours, where you almost feel like you’re on campus. But you’re not! Virtual tours don’t let you feel the breeze on your face, the warm sunlight, or the smiling faces of students on campus. You can’t see how students interact or the activities they participate in. You can’t immerse yourself in the surrounding community through a computer screen. But you can do that through a college tour.

Benefit of the College Tour

College tours give you a glimpse as to what your life might be like as a student on campus. They help you narrow down your list of choices so you can find the school that’s right for you. As you visit each school, look for an environment that will support your academic goals as well as your morals and values. Be sure to schedule a guided tour rather than taking the campus in on your own. A guide can help you navigate the unfamiliar territory, get the most out of the experience, and accurately answer questions that might pop in your head as you stroll the campus.

Pick the Right Time for Your College Visit

Don’t schedule a tour during the summer or winter break because there won’t be as many students on campus. You want to see what the school is like when classes are fully in session. You’ll also want to avoid times of extra heavy traffic such as Homecoming or Senior weeks. The goal of a tour is to get a realistic idea of what a typical day might be like. When it’s too busy or too quiet, you’re getting a skewed view.

Visit a Class on Your College Tour

Ask your tour guide if you can sit in on a class, preferably one in your intended major. This will give you a good idea of what you can expect out of college classes and how they are taught. If you are undecided on a major, the experience could give you some ideas or help you decide. Take a look around the classroom and see if it’s a fit for you. Are the facilities modern or updated? Are the classes too large or too small? If you can’t get into an actual class period, at least get into the classrooms and lecture halls. You’ll spend a lot of time in the classroom, so this will be an important stop on your tour.

Spend Time in the Library

You’ll also spend time in the library, so take a walk through the building to see what resources it offers. Does it have study rooms and computer labs? Does it offer a variety of reference materials? Are they updated often? What hours does it keep during finals and mid-term exams? Talk with a librarian to make sure you’ll have the necessary tools available to you when you need to study. 

Check Out Campus Activities

One of the best parts of student life are all of the extracurricular activities. Ask your tour guide about the student organizations, sports, and clubs. Does it have student athletics? Does it offer guest speaker lectures, plays, and concerts? Are there club sports, as well as divisional? Tour the facilities that are relevant to the activities you’ll want to participate in. For example, if you want to play a particular sport, be sure to check out the field, court, rink, or pitch. Attend a practice. If you are into the performing arts, check out the theater or recital hall.

Attend Chapel

While you work toward your academic goals, you don’t want to neglect your spiritual needs. The chapel will be a place where you can reset and recharge as you face the ups and downs of the college experience. Ask your tour guide if you can walk through the chapel and maybe even attend a service. Find out if attendance is mandatory, and what types of services are offered. If you want to participate in faith-based extracurriculars, see if the school offers Bible study groups, community service projects, or mission trips.

Talk with Students on Your College Tour

As you walk through the campus, take the opportunity to stop and talk with several students. Find out what the experience is really like from the perspective of people who know. A great place to meet with students is in the cafeteria. You can get a taste of the food, while watching and meeting students who can give you advice. Ask them what their majors are and what they like most about the college. You can also ask about what they don’t like or what they would change to get a realistic picture. Ask about activities, professors, the surrounding community, and anything else you want to know about. Their advice will be valuable as you make your decision.

College tours are informative experiences that show you what college life is all about. At Limestone University, we offer a rich campus experience as well as majors in Business, Liberal Arts, Sciences, Education, and the Health Professions. Come visit our beautiful and historical campus in the heart of South Carolina.