Making the Most of Spring Break: A Guide to Campus Visits for Families

 By: Lee S. Bierer

I know it’s just the beginning of February, but this is a great time for families to huddle together and start planning which colleges they’d like to visit over spring break. I tell families that Spring break is the best time to visit if a school is in session — it’s important to check to see if your high school calendar overlaps with college calendars. Assuming colleges are in session, visiting a humming campus in springtime is a great way for students to determine if they feel a connection to the school. If families have already made other plans for spring break, it’s fine to make the visits over the summer, but oftentimes you’ll see more 10-year-olds in soccer uniforms than college students.

These visits can play a crucial role in the decision-making process, allowing prospective students to get a feel for the campus atmosphere, academic environment, and overall college experience. Let’s explore how families can make the most of their campus visits over spring break.

1. Research and Plan Ahead: Before embarking on your campus visits, conduct thorough research on the universities you plan to explore. Familiarize yourself with the campus layout, academic programs, and any specific departments or facilities you’re interested in. Create an itinerary that includes campus tours, information sessions, and meetings with faculty members or admissions officers.
2. Schedule Official Campus Tours: Many universities offer official campus tours led by knowledgeable guides. Schedule these tours in advance through the university’s admissions office. Official tours provide valuable insights into campus life, facilities, and the overall vibe of the institution.
3. Attend Information Sessions: Most colleges offer information sessions where admissions representatives provide detailed overviews of the institution, including admission requirements, academic programs, and financial aid options. Attending these sessions can answer many of your questions and provide valuable information for decision-making.
4. Explore Campus Facilities: Take the time to explore campus facilities such as libraries, dormitories, classrooms, and recreational areas. Pay attention to the condition and accessibility of these spaces, as they will contribute significantly to your overall college experience.
5. Meet with Faculty Members: If possible, schedule meetings with professors or department heads in your field of interest. This can provide insights into the academic environment, research opportunities, and the faculty-student relationship at the university.
6. Connect with Current Students: Talk to current students to gain firsthand perspectives on campus life. You can often find student ambassadors during tours or through scheduled meet-and-greet events. Ask them about their experiences, favorite aspects of the university, and any advice they may have for incoming students.
7. Explore Surrounding Areas: Consider exploring the surrounding community and city/town. The environment outside the campus also plays a role in your overall college experience. Evaluate factors such as safety, available amenities, and recreational opportunities.
8. Take Notes and Photos: Bring a notebook to jot down your thoughts and observations during each visit. Capture photos of important places and facilities. These notes and images will be valuable when reflecting on your options later.
9. Consider Overnight Stays: Some colleges offer overnight programs where prospective students can stay in dorms and experience campus life firsthand. If available, take advantage of these opportunities to get a more immersive sense of the college environment.
10. Reflect and Debrief: After each campus visit, take some time to reflect as a family. Discuss your impressions, compare notes, and consider the pros and cons of each university. This debriefing process will help you make informed decisions as you move forward in the college selection process.

Spring break campus visits are an exciting and crucial step in the college exploration journey. By planning ahead, scheduling official tours, and engaging with the campus community, families can gather the necessary information to make well-informed decisions. Remember that each university is unique, and finding the right fit involves considering various factors that contribute to a fulfilling college experience.

Alternative Spring Break Options (That Don't Involve the Beach)

Collegiate Parent

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Typical spring break vacations take students to sunny locales like Florida or Las Vegas. While party trips might be fun, they don’t fit everyone’s budget — or personality. Your student doesn't need to follow the crowd to enjoy their time off.  In fact, they can spend their break in several more productive and memorable ways.

Here are some exciting alternative spring break options that don't involve the beach!

1. Consider Spring Break Study and Service Options

Encourage your student to start looking into their school’s spring break study abroad options immediately. Organizations may organize service projects and trips closer to home — maybe right in your town. Volunteer organizations like Habitat for Humanity and United Way coordinate alternative spring break programs as do websites like GoAbroad.com and International Volunteer HQ. (Google “alternative spring break” and you’ll find many more possibilities!)

2. Schedule a Job Shadow

It's awesome to get a breather from their demanding academic routine, but encourage your student to think about spending at least part of their break exploring what they might want to do for a career. They can use some of their time off to shadow someone who works in a profession that intrigues them.

It’s key is to get started as early as possible, since they'll need to research opportunities and interview at different businesses. A job shadow experience can sometimes be arranged less formally if you have a personal acquaintance who might be available to host your student at their office or firm for a few days.

3. Join an Adventure Club

Your kids can look up clubs, groups or activities to join at home or on/near their campus. They might find something like a kayaking group that's taking members on an adventure trip for spring break. Most groups split the total cost between members, so they'll get a discounted price for an adventure. It's an easy way for students to get away for spring break and try something new.

4. Volunteer for a Good Cause

 

Another great way to spend time is to help others who are less fortunate. Your student might be ready to move beyond the food pantries and pet shelters where they’ve volunteered in the past and try something new and more challenging. They could volunteer to help refugees by donating time as a translator or hosting a fundraiser. Help your student figure out which causes they feel strongly about and encourage them to volunteer during spring break. If they connect with a cause on or near campus, they can continue to volunteer throughout the school year, building a deeper relationships with the organization. This is a great idea for a student who’s considering non-profit work after graduation.

5. Visit Historic and Culturally Significant Locations

Does your college student love to step back through time and see artifacts from another era? They could visit historical locations this spring. Many offer inexpensive tours, and destinations like Washington, D.C., let people into museums for free because they receive public funding. While your student’s friends snap pictures on the sand, yours will learn something new about the world.

Your student could pick a theme for this kind of activity, based on a time period (the Civil War, the Jazz Age), or a theme or topic (immigration, modern architecture, food!). Plan day trips or a budget road trip with you or some of their college buddies.

6. Kick Back on a Staycation

Finances are tight for many families during the college years. A spring break vacation isn't always feasible.

Encourage your student to enjoy a staycation instead of taking money from their savings account to go to the beach. Throw a movie night once everyone's back at your house or host a themed dinner party with friends. There are plenty of ways to have fun at home, as long as you get creative and enjoy each other’s company. How about archery dodgeball, or an escape room?

7. Camp Out With Friends

Checking into a hotel isn't the only option for getting out of town. Your student can plan a group trip with their friends and bring everything they'll need to ensure a good time. (The outdoors club or recreation center at their college may have gear they can check out for the week.) Reserved campsites are much cheaper than any hotel, and you can book a spot that features fun activities to fill their week. Your kids and their friends can learn how to fish, go hiking or cook every meal over the campfire. Make sure they take pictures to capture the memories.

If they’re thinking RV, remind them that in many states you need to be 21 to rent one. They should be clear on the rules. Car camping or backpacking may be their best option.

8. Spend Time With Relatives

You don't need to wait until the holidays to visit family members who live out of town. Swing by and pick up your kid from college to visit grandparents, or aunts, uncles and cousins you haven't seen in a while. Make it a road trip and stop in different states along the way. Catching up with loved ones can be the best vacation of all.

Encourage your student to spend their spring break differently.

There’s nothing wrong with sun and sand, but maybe another opportunity is calling to your student this year. Whether they’re making the most of time at home, pursuing an international experience or volunteering time and energy to those in need, a meaningful spring break experience will make much better memories.