Ah, college visits. I remember my mom being much more eager than me to see what all a campus had to offer her impressionable teenager. I felt a little embarrassed by her eagerness. In our high school angsty years, many of us struggle to anticipate all the pivotal moments that will take place for us in college. But often, our parents remember or have enough life experience to know how much finding the right college climate matters. Trust the hindsight, college years are decisive for our life’s journey.

Be eager on your college visits. Don’t be too cool to ask questions lingering in your mind. In fact, make a list of them before you go, and also ask the ones prompted by what you see during your visit. But as you plan your visit, do your best to accomplish these 5 things.

1. Attend a Social Gathering

A bonfire in the fall. An outdoor concert in the spring. An intramural flag football game. Every school hosts a variety of events throughout the year to bring students together to build communal camaraderie. When visiting a school, there will likely be an event like this to give you an idea of the school's social atmosphere. Don't skip this for the 'things that matter.' This matters. College is much more than an academic endeavor. You will meet lifelong friends in college, people who will support you through challenging moments and transitions. You want to feel welcomed and able to find venues to connect with people in meaningful ways.

2. Explore the Major you Intend to Pursue

You may need to be in touch beforehand, but take the time to schedule an opportunity to attend a class in the major you are interested in. Sitting in one class won't give you a comprehensive overview of the major. But you will get an idea of how students engage in the classroom, the ratio of students to teachers, how professors challenge students, and the like.

Furthermore, if possible, meet with an advisor or professor in this particular major. A one-on-one conversation like this is invaluable for understanding a study program, assuming you are prepared with questions of interest to you. Program and course descriptions are helpful, but engaging with those involved is much more telling of the program's quality.

3. Visit Student Housing

For many of us, moving out of our familiar childhood home is the most unsettling part of starting college. But a warm, hospitable student living environment can do much to help us quickly overcome this more difficult transition. Students attending a student visitation at the Institute for G.O.D. will have the opportunity to stay the weekend in student housing and observe students' routines in a home environment.

Make observations during this time. Are students connecting with one another in student housing? What role do RAs play in upholding healthy standards within the housing environment? If you get a chance, spend some time with the R.A. and ask questions about the role that housing plays in the overall student experience.

4. Meet the President

While this may not be possible in larger university settings, the opportunity to meet with the school president will give you a better picture of the ethos behind the school's mission. The president is responsible for keeping the mission and vision of the institution intact. Meet with them and observe their enthusiasm to support the college on the right track, and hear in their own words what drives them to be in the position they are.

Gregg Garner, the founder and President of the Institute for G.O.D., prioritizes meeting all the students who attend student preview weekend. Prospective students will learn of Gregg's heart behind the inception of the Institute, its various programs, and the quality of graduates it produces on the other side of a rigorous educational experience.

5. Do a Formal Tour

Don't skip a formal campus tour, assuming you can explore it all for yourself. Schools have dedicated much time and effort into designing tours that will give you a full picture of the student experience. Of course, some things will be of more interest to you than others, but you never know down the line how a piece of knowledge gained on the tour might prove helpful. Frankly, it's just a more efficient opportunity to receive the necessary information and anecdotal stories about campus life.