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Use Spring Break Time to Tour College Campuses
Spring break for Brevard Public Schools is just around the corner. This week is traditionally used to take a break from the routines of the school year and give students and teachers a break from the rigors of the classroom. Many families choose to vacation in exotic locations, visit families, or catch up on much needed sleep or family time. Older students and those in college (especially those in colder climates) often ock
to Florida’s beaches to compete in sporting events, soak up sunshine, and enjoy freedom from daily constraints.
Another popular activity is for young high school students
(and sometimes older middle school students) to visit college campuses around the country (and sometimes the world.) Careful planning can lead to crossing several schools o the “must visit” list in just one week. College is a mystery to many students that a visit to campus can unlock. “Campus visits are not just a good idea—they are essential to a successful college search. They allow you to shake hands with professors, taste the dining hall food, hear what current students have to say, and get an overall feel for the campus environment—to experience the life of the college or university for yourself,” according to Florida Institute of Technology’s marketing department.
Did you know that because it snows so much in Cambridge,
MA that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has underground tunnels connecting its buildings so students don’t have to go outside as much? The University of Virginia has housing that dates back to the time of the Founding Fathers and it’s still in use. Florida Tech often o ers a tuition discount to students who visit campus. The University of Alabama o ers tours of its state-of-the art research laboratories to students interested in the medical eld. Embry Riddle University has
an amazing nancial aid counselor on its sta who will guide applicants towards scholarship opportunities. Eastern Florida State College has a practically brand new public service academy on its Melbourne campus. While all of this is good
information, the ancillary activities of spending time together on this search are memorable as well.
Navigating around a city you’ve never visited, nding new places to eat, and trying activities that your teen hasn’t tried before are all teachable moments. Seeing one’s child engage with a college music professor for example, can be eye opening. “The professor at The University of Tennessee asked my son to sing an audition on the spur of the moment with no preparation, and he did it. The teacher then told my son, ‘I’d
be proud to have you in my studio. Let’s get you to sit in on a master class while you’re here,’” said one proud parent of a high school junior.
With a little pre-planning and initiative, Kelsey Blair, a 2014 graduate of Melbourne High, was able to schedule meetings with department chairs, admissions counselors, and even the college president. She was so impressed after her campus visit, she made her nal decision to attend the
university. In fact, she commented to her parents as they were departing, “I never knew I could miss a place so much where I’ve never even lived yet.” Blair is currently completing her junior year studying elementary education.
After many campus visits, the dormitories, eating halls, and libraries may become a blur. Keeping careful notes and focusing on gut reactions and emotions during the visit
are important tips. Be sure to ll out all the paperwork the admissions o ces provide as many schools send fabulous “thanks for visiting” packets after you arrive back home. High Point University in North Carolina sends personalized collateral material and spirit wear. You don’t want to miss any of the goodies.
Whatever you choose to do with your week o from school, be sure to savor the break and come back to BPS ready to learn and enjoy the second semester.
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Volume V, Issue 5