How to Make the Most of a Campus Visit

By the time many of you read this, you may have already committed to Carleton. In that case: congratulations! If not, then I’m a bit surprised why you’re still reading this, but I welcome you all the same.

Even if you’re certain you’re a Carl, now’s the time to (re)visit campus to orient yourself. After all, it’s your home for the next four years—and you’ll want to hit the ground running as a certified Northfield, Minnesota expert™.

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of tips, tricks, and things to do when visiting Carleton this spring.

Take a stroll down Division Street

I’m sure you’ve seen it before. In the Carleton brochures, on the website, in advertising materials: Division Street. It’s the classic, cute, college-town main road with restaurants and shops lining the sidewalk. On a warm, sunny spring day, a trip to Division Street has the remarkable ability to make you feel about 25% more relaxed than before. Maybe it’s just because of the general prettiness of the town—but I choose to believe it’s the result of black magic. 

Some of my favorite spots are Desi Diner, Vintage Etc., Indoor Fins Aquatic Pets, and Little Joy Coffee.

Drop in on interesting classes

If you have the option to attend a class or two, definitely take advantage of the opportunity. It’ll help you decide which courses you might be interested in registering for in the fall, and generally give you a sense of what you might be looking for in a classroom environment. Maybe you think you’ll like small, discussion-based classes. Or maybe you’ll prefer large labs where you can conduct research on enzymes with a partner. Why not attend a couple of sessions to find out for sure!

Eat out at the dining halls

A perfect way to get to know some of your future classmates is by showing up to lunch and striking up a convo! As I’m sure you already know (because you obviously read all of my posts religiously!), there is a correct answer as to which dining hall to choose, and it’s Burton. But any one will do. I’ve met some of my closest friends by just asking if they wanted to grab some food some time, and it’s also a good way to familiarize yourself with the space and figure out which routes to the dining hall are most efficient (so you can be ahead of the lunch craze when classes get out!)

Catch a movie at the Weitz Center

If you’re visiting on a Friday or Saturday, going to a screening at the on campus movie theatre—the Weitz Cinema—is a must-try activity. Throughout the term, the Weitz plays popular new releases (as well as some classics!) at 7 and 10 in the evening. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a stressful week, or to relax after a long day of walking around Northfield and taking in the sights. Cars was playing last week—so you know I attended that one.

Rock climb in the bouldering cave

Maybe I’m biased, but I think the perfect way to get a vibe of the campus community is to drop in on the bouldering cave in the Rec. Students at Carleton are big into outdoor, rugged activities—you’ll get to meet a bunch of really cool people (maybe you’ll see me there!) who can show you the ropes, and you might even enjoy it so much that you’ll join the team! It’s the perfect opportunity to try out a new sport without commitment.

Feel free to take any of these tips to heart! 

(As long as you compensate me monetarily).

Inigo (he/him/his) is trying very hard to turn interests in subjects like film, english, and psychology into a manageable course load. Originally from Somerville, Massachusetts, he can often be found running in the Cowling Arboretum (and getting passed by everyone on the cross country team) or rock climbing at the bouldering cave in the evening. He loves Carleton’s walkability: it didn’t even matter that he forgot to bring his bike to campus. He considers bad horror movies to be the ultimate form of entertainment.