Sound Familiar?
You've driven hours to tour a campus. Your student nods along during the info session, snaps a few photos, and collects a folder of brochures. A week later, you ask what they thought, and get a shrug.
"It was nice, I guess."
After visiting three or four schools, they all start to blur together. When it's time to make a decision, your student can't remember which campus had the great dining hall or which one felt like home.
There's a reason for that
Research shows students forget 50-70% of new information within 24 hours. It's called the "forgetting curve." Without a way to capture what they're learning in the moment, all those campus details slip away before they're useful.
The College Visit Journal gives your student a system
Instead of wandering through tours hoping something sticks, your student arrives prepared with questions, takes organized notes on what they're seeing and feeling, and walks away with a clear record they can reference later.
The best part? Taking notes doesn't just help later, but the act of writing things down helps students process and remember information in the moment. It's why guided note-taking beats blank notebooks (or no notes at all).
What's Inside:
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Space for 8 campus visits—with guided prompts for each
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Questions to ask during tours and info sessions
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Sections to capture academics, campus life, housing, dining, and overall impressions
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Academic profile page (handy when meeting with college advisors or admission counselors)
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Reference section with key terms, plus resource websites for financial aid and college prep support
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Writing samples to use when emailing college coaches, professors, and admission counselors
The College Visit Journal: Campus Visits Demystified
Best for:
High school students exploring colleges
Available in:
English and Spanish
Who's It For?
For Parents
You want to support your student's college search without taking over. The journal gives them a tool to own the process while keeping you in the loop.
You'll appreciate:
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A way to have meaningful conversations after each visit
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Organized notes you can reference together when it's decision time
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Built-in resources so you're not Googling "what to ask on a college tour" at midnight
For Students
You're about to make one of the biggest decisions of your life. The journal helps you figure out what actually matters to you and not just what looks good on Instagram.
You'll appreciate:
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Prompts that help you notice things you'd otherwise miss
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A place to capture your gut reactions in the moment
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An easy way to compare schools side by side
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Sample emails so you don't stress about reaching out to colleges
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FAQs
What grade should my student be to use this?
The journal works best for juniors and seniors actively visiting campuses, but motivated sophomores can use it too. If you're starting college visits, you're ready for the journal.
Does it work for virtual tours?
Yes! The prompts and questions work whether you're walking through campus in person or watching a virtual tour from your couch.
What if we're visiting more than 8 schools?
Some families purchase a second journal for extended college search seasons. The journal is designed to capture your top contenders and eight visits is plenty for most students to make a confident decision.
Is this only for students who need extra help?
Not at all. The College Visit Journal is for any student who wants to be organized and intentional about their college search. Students often find it especially useful because they're comparing multiple competitive options.
What's the difference between the regular and transfer edition?
The Transfer Edition is tailored for community college students exploring four-year institutions. It addresses transfer-specific concerns like credit articulation, transfer student services, and finding the right fit for students who've already started their college journey.
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