I have been giving tours of the UNL campus for three years now. I have loved walking around campus and telling people from all over the country about UNL, but the time has come to move away from this job as I start student teaching this next semester. And truthfully I haven't loved every tour. As I take on my last 2-3 weeks of tours, I'd like to let it all out. This is the tell-all from a tour guide.
1. Yes, I always walk backwards. If you know me, you might be wondering how many times I've fallen doing this, but my first confession? I have never fallen walking backwards. The one and only time I have fallen on a tour was when I was walking forward up some stairs. Also, people tend to give a wide berth to people walking backwards around campus.
2. Stop asking me about the parties on campus. While movies and television make it sound like that is what college is all about, it isn't. Sure, you can go to parties as much as you want. College allows freedom. But that's not what I'm hired to talk about. And the parents that tell their stories don't help at all.
3. It's hard for me not to laugh when kids that tell me exactly what they are going to be doing in 10 years. Please don't hold on too tight or you might miss opportunities. Explore. Try new things.
4. Sometimes I feel more like a struggling comedian than a tour guide. Smile people! I am trying very hard to reach out to you and if I don't get any response, I don't know how to help you in your decision. I remember I used to be super embarrassed about how much my dad talked on tours, but now I love parents like that that help me to understand what the student likes to do or wants to know.
5. For those of you who are current students, yelling out of your windows as you drive by does not help me at all. I thank you for your efforts, but it just sounds obnoxious.
6. I hate suite style freshmen dorms. I'm sorry. I know they are really nice and big and less people per bathroom, but I can't tell you how many times tour groups have asked me, "Does anyone live here?" Truthfully, I'm not really sure.
7. You shouldn't judge any place by what it looks like in February. Seriously. I hate giving tours on 5 degree days when everything is dead and students look miserable. It's not the campus, it's the weather.
8. If you are making a decision where to go, go with your gut. I think UNL is awesome. I really do. I have tons of great things to tell you about it (and I will if you get me started) but it's not for everyone and I understand that. Don't decide based on statistics and percentages. Or because it's "different" or far away. Go because it feels right. Go because it feels like home.
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