Now, I know some of you may be considering skipping college, living your lives on the fly, and I say, DO IT! But read this post, too. Colleges are valuable centers of knowledge. Even if you’re not planning on getting a degree, make use of the huge wealth of knowledge that colleges make a point of collecting. Talk to a professor, the students, the librarians, heck, even check out a book! Colleges always have something for you to learn.
A big part of our challenge was, in fact, exactly that. The college was just a bus ride and a quick walk from Crested Butte, and we spent a good deal of the day talking with the students and sitting in on lectures, such as one remarkable basic psychology course with an engaging professor and colorful (but often purple) powerpoint slides, explaining basic rules of perception. We spent an additional two hours at the library, which I spent most of talking with a librarian. I might say that I’ve discovered more in one place today than ever before.
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Find the information desk or welcome center! They’re more than often happy to give you courses to shadow, information on admissions, maps, and more. The whole point of this is making use of the information around you – you may as well start first thing.
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Talk to people! Even if you take an official tour (we didn’t), find students or professors and ask them about the campus, what they’re learning or teaching, and their experience with the whole thing. If you’re lucky, you’ll find some incredible stories. I found out that you can get a degree in library science and become a professional librarian…
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Check out the posters in the hallways. No one told me before I went that there was information about projects on all the walls, along with all the information for parties and events that people had going on. The walls themselves can be almost as interesting for research topics as the lectures.
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Really, talk to people, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t know what you want to do with your life? Ask a few people! Trying to find meaning in life? Ask a few people! Wondering what the hell is up with a labidiaster annulatus? Ask a few people! Just need to find the bathroom? You know what to do!
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Be brave and make yourself known. Hold out your hand, say your name, and most of the time things take themselves from there. Having connections on campus may help you get involved in the community, or at least learn your way around and find what you’re looking for.