Observe and Listen: Before or after your tour, take opportunities to observe genuine student interactions and overhear candid conversations while grabbing a bite at the cafeteria or walking around campus. Do students seem engaged with each other? What issues ignite their passions during discussions? Capture quotes and scenes reflecting authentic student experiences using discreet notes or photos to reference later.

Get Candid Anecdotes: As you walk around campus, talk to a few current students. Ask them about their favorite campus traditions, clubs, and events. Find out if performances or art exhibitions are prevalent and well-attended. Do ongoing rallies or protests indicate social or political activism thrives among the student body? What about Greek life or athletics? Does school spirit feel vibrant or lacking? Candid anecdotes reveal what the college values cultivating among students.

Walk and Read: Wandering through the student center and popular hangout venues provides clues into campus vibes. Are spaces designed for collaboration and community or isolated study? Which flyers, posters, and announcements dominate bulletin boards? Such environmental factors mirror whether the campus leans academically rigorous, socially stimulating, or somewhere in between. While guidebooks spotlight statistics and rankings, reading between the lines to gauge campus culture ultimately determines whether a college feels like an authentic home rather than just an impressive collection of buildings and resources. 

Reflect: After your visit, such as over a meal, help your teen reflect. Some questions to ask: What stood out to you on the tours? Could you see yourself living and learning there for 4 years? How did it feel walking around campus and sitting in on a class? Did you connect with any current students? Did you speak with any professors? What extracurricular groups or activities caught your interest? Could you find your people and passions there? Was it an energizing or draining campus vibe? How did it compare to other colleges you've visited? Take time to relive aspects of each campus tour. Pinpoint places your teen vibed with or felt out of place. Keep track of your notes or record your conversation, such as in a notes app on your phone that you can share with your student.