Summary
Parents and students will embark on a fun and informative journey across campus with a personalized "passport" in hand. This interactive activity encourages exploration of key locations vital to incoming freshmen, such as the bursar's office, campus bookstore, library, student services, and more. At each designated stop, participants will receive a stamp in their passport while learning about the resources and services offered at that location. This activity is designed to help families familiarize themselves with the campus, build confidence in navigating important areas, and prepare for a successful transition to college life.
Essential Question
What offices, buildings, or locations do new college freshmen need to be able to find to complete the enrollment process?
Learning Goals
Identify and explore key campus locations, such as the bursar’s office, bookstore, library, and student services, to gain a clear understanding of the resources and services available to support students during their college journey.
Build confidence in navigating the campus independently by identifying and locating essential facilities, helping them feel more comfortable and prepared for college life.
Parents and students will deepen their knowledge of the roles and functions of vital campus offices, fostering a sense of readiness and empowerment to handle academic, financial, and personal responsibilities as incoming freshmen.
Snapshot
Engage
Students attend a campus tour to identify academic buildings, residence halls, dining areas, student services, and more.
Explore
Students actively engage in hands-on activities within two programs chosen for their draw of student interest, where students immerse themselves in real-world applications of these fields.
Explain
Students embark on a journey to visit vital areas, such as the bursar’s office, library, student services, campus bookstore, and more, to learn about campus resources that support their college experience.
Extend
Students observe a panel of current college students who will share valuable advice regarding topics related to school, life, utilizing campus resources, and getting involved in extracurricular activities.
Evaluate
Students reflect on their journey by revisiting their 3-2-1 Activity handout from earlier, challenging them to turn their insights into action.
Materials List
Presentation Slides (attached)
3-2-1 Activity (attached; one per student)
Scavenger Hunt Passport (attached; one per student)
Scavenger Hunt QR Codes (attached; one per location)
Stamps
Stamp pads
Campus Map
Rapid Feedback Form (optional; attached; one per student)
Engage
75 Minute(s)
Use slides 2–4 from the attached Presentation Slides to make introductions, set expectations, and review goals.
Move to slide 5 and explain the icebreaker prompt. Move to slide 6 and ask students to access the Mentimeter, either by using the QR Code or by typing in the link on the slide and then the access code. Read aloud the icebreaker questions and ask for responses to be added to the Menti. Facilitate a short conversation regarding responses provided.
Next, explain that students and family members will participate in a guided campus tour led by knowledgeable guides at the college. The tour will highlight essential locations such as academic buildings, residence halls, dining areas, and student services. Participants will learn about the history, traditions, and resources that define the campus community, gaining valuable insights into college life. This activity will be planned by the host college.
After the campus tour, move to slide 7 and explain the 3-2-1 strategy. Provide students and parents the 3-2-1 Activity handout (attached). Ask them to complete the front side of the handout focusing on three things they learned from the campus tour and two questions they have. Explain that they will return to the back of the handout later in the day.
Explore
100 Minute(s)
Students will actively engage in hands-on activities within two programs chosen for their draw of student interest, where students immerse themselves in real-world applications of these fields. They may participate in simulations, experiments, or problem-solving exercises that showcase the skills and concepts integral to these disciplines. Simultaneously, parents will interact with representatives from key campus areas, including financial aid, housing, the library, student services, and admissions. Parents will gain a deeper understanding of the resources and support available to students, empowering them to help guide their child’s college journey. These activities will be planned and presented by the host college staff.
Explain
60 Minute(s)
Move to slide 8 and explain that students will be going on a scavenger hunt to help them become familiar with key campus locations and essential services. Provide students the Scavenger Hunt Passport handout (attached). Explain that students will embark on a journey to visit vital areas, such as the bursar’s office, library, student services, campus bookstore, and more. Explain that at each stop, students will receive a stamp in their passport as proof of their visit, allowing them to track their progress while gaining valuable insights into the campus resources that support their college experience. Encourage students to ask questions to office personnel at each stop when possible and to scan the QR Codes at each location for more information about that location.
Use slides 8–10 to provide information about how to find each location in their passport and directions for the activity. Provide each student a copy of the Campus Map with scavenger hunt locations highlighted.
Extend
30 Minute(s)
Display slide 11 and explain that participants will now hear from the college’s students. This activity will feature a panel of current college students who will share valuable advice with incoming freshmen and their parents. Panelists will discuss topics such as academic strategies, balancing school and life, utilizing campus resources, and getting involved in extracurricular activities, while offering real-world insights to help ease the transition to college. This session aims to prepare students for college life while providing parents with helpful information to support their child's journey. Encourage students and parents to ask the panelists questions. This activity will be planned by the host college.
Evaluate
15 Minute(s)
Display slide 12 and ask students and parents to revisit their 3-2-1 Activity handout from earlier. Ask them to flip the handout over and respond to the final prompt regarding one action they can take now.
Next, display slide 13 and provide students and parents the QR code or link to the Rapid Feedback Form unique to their visit.
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.). 3-2-1. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/117
K20 Center. (n.d.). Mentimeter. Tech Tools. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/tech-tool/645
K20 Center. (n.d.). QR codes. Tech Tools. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/tech-tool/2449