Tasting the Campus Air

I always feel like my high school is my second home. I'm there five out of seven days a week, nine months of the year. Although sometimes I really don't want to be there, it is where I put my focus, where I see my friends (or as I call them, my second family...), where I laugh and where I cry. It is home. Now think of high school and amplify that by 100. Not only is it all of the things that I previously mentioned, but the majority of underclassmen and some upperclassmen live on campus. It actually is, really, home.

Most colleges have super snazzy websites where you can read all about academics, look at campus-life pictures, and contact information to answer any questions you may have. While this is a fantastic resource, visiting and touring colleges is a must-do. I would never be able to attend a school that I have never visited. Pictures just don't do justice to the place you will be living for the next four years. From personal experience, visiting a campus can make or break your decision. SO DO IT!!!

Christopher Newport University

I have to thank my beautiful friend Rachel (again!) for suggesting that we tour this school together. She was researching schools before I had ever even thought about college. I'm a kid at heart, leaving home is going to be difficult and I just hadn't gotten that far. But Rachel looked up medium to small sized schools and found Christopher Newport University. I was excited to tour it, so I looked it up online, and I was impressed. It looked nice, got great reviews and the people who attend love it. But I didn't expect to fall in love with it as much as I did. And believe me, this school is beautiful.

We don't have many pictures of the college, but believe me, it is stunning. This first picture is of me and my family in front of the clock tower, which my mom insisted on taking a picture in front of, because she has some strange affinity for clock towers... just kidding, I understand, they are beautiful!

This picture is of Rachel's family and I lounging in the lounge area. I don't remember what it is really called, but it is probably the coolest part of campus. They do karaoke here. Just, too cool.

    

Christopher Newport University is my top school choice, and I am so excited to apply and (hopefully!) attend. I wish I had more campus pictures to show you, but it was cold and we gravitated toward the indoors. Look up pictures, it is beautiful and it ultimately felt like home.

University of Mary Washington

This school is very close to where I currently live, so ever since I was a kid we have been walking around this campus, and I feel very close to it. It is beautiful and I know a lot of people who are currently enrolled, and I have heard amazing things. The academics are great and they get really involved in the community. That being said, it is almost too close to home, and I really want the experience of going away, as sad and scary as it will be.

In this picture, my mom and I toured once again with Rachel and her mom. It has become a tradition.

This is one of my favorite pictures out of all of our college visits, because of the background behind my mom and I. Beautiful.

Longwood University

This one was interesting. A really good school, but it wasn't for me. I am sure I would have a great time, and Farmville is such a cute town with an awesome Macado's right by campus. Seriously, if you have never been to a Macado's, you really are missing out. It's an amazing sandwich shop. Trust me. Anyways, this school just didn't speak to me like Christopher Newport did, which as you can guess, has been my comparison school during this journey. Longwood is a very good school though, and again, you never know until you check it out! The lesson here is that there are going to be school that you just cannot see yourself attending, and that is a good thing. Ruling out what you do not like about a school can be very eye-opening in the college-searching experience.

This is my beautiful friend Rachel and I showing some teeth by the Longwood University sign. It was a good day! 

And here we are rubbing "Joaney the Stoney's" hands for good luck. Fun little Longwood tradition.

George Mason University

Finally, I found a school that I liked enough to compete with Christopher Newport! And the funny thing is, they are so different from each other, you would think they were from different planets! The technology at George Mason is so incredible, the academics are insanely advanced, and the campus is very "cool" looking. There are buildings at this school that blow your mind architecturally. This school made its way to the second spot on my list very quickly, and I can tell that if I end up here, I would feel very comfortable and be happy.

Rachel, her mom and I waiting for the tour!

Rachel and I standing next to the man himself, George Mason!

I did recently revisit George Mason and solidified Christopher Newport as my favorite. It is still a wonderful school, but I felt that my feelings on it changed slightly, though I am still completely excited to apply!

Overall, visiting schools gives you a much more sure or unsure feeling. My advice to anyone who is searching for a school that is perfect for them is to visit. The only thing that it will do is give you a true feeling of the campus.

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading! 

xoxo Jordan