One of the best ways to decide if a college is the right one for a student is to participate in a prospective weekend. High school or transfer students visit a college or university for a few days and stay with a host. They may attend classes on a Friday and experience campus life over the weekend. This is a helpful way for prospectives to learn more about the lay of the land, programs, extracurricular activities and the general feel of campus lifestyle. This is often one of the deciding factors on which school to attend, aside from gaining acceptance and being able to pay for college tuition.

Classes

Attending classes with a host student is an adventure for the high school student. For students who have narrowed down a major, universities often try to pair visitors with hosts of the same major. Those with aspirations for scholarships find this especially helpful. Attending classes in a preferred major give the prospective a feel for class size, college-style learning and a taste of knowledge.

Study

Depending on the time of year, day of week and type of host, there may or may not be study time included on the visit. When hosts have different plans from their guests, it is customary for roommates or friends to spend time with the prospective student to allow study time for those who need it. College students may take their guests to the library, computer lab or study groups to help introduce them to different alternatives and learning environments.

Food

Eating in the dining hall is a new experience for many high school students. Unlike a regular cafeteria, the food is mostly edible, with a wide variety of choices. Some larger universities offer restaurant choices on campus, an unusual and unexpected option for many prospectives. Those interested in playing for sports teams or competing for athletic scholarships may take special interest in what's on the training table.

Campus

The size, layout and location of the campus plays a large role in the student's college life. The larger the university, the larger the campus. Discovering where classes are held, sports are played, meals are eaten and studying takes place can help the prospective decide whether this is a place they want to spend the next four years. Some schools have minimal on-campus housing, which is often reserved for out-of-state students, college athletes and those on academic scholarships. All other students, whether undergraduate or graduate, need to find off-campus housing. While many schools once required freshmen to live in campus dormitories, these rules have been relaxed in many universities where enrollment is increasing but space is not. During prospective weekend, it may be helpful for visitors to stop by the commuter housing office to learn more about possible living arrangements and roommate pairing assistance programs.