College Open House: How to Make the Most of Your Day

Choosing the right college is one of the most significant decisions a student and their family can make. Open houses, like Southern Showcase at Florida Southern College, are designed to help you see beyond the brochures and websites and truly picture yourself on campus.

Here's what you can expect, plus tips for making the most of your day:

Experience the Campus Atmosphere

From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the energy of campus life. At Southern Showcase, you’ll walk the paths students take every day, explore classrooms and labs, and see why our distinctive lakeside campus is consistently ranked among the most beautiful in the country.

Tip: Notice how the campus feels. Do you see yourself studying under the palm trees, meeting friends by the lake, or attending a performance in one of the arts spaces?

Connect with Professors and Students

Meeting faculty and current students helps you get a sense of the relationships that define the Florida Southern experience. With our 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, personalized attention is the norm. Professors know students by name, and classmates become friends and collaborators.

Tip: Ask students and professors about their favorite FSC traditions or classes. Their stories will help you imagine your own.

Learn About Academic Programs

Whether you’re certain of your path or still exploring, open houses give you access to program overviews, labs, and faculty advisors. Showcase sessions are designed for all types of students—from those  who want rigorous academics to those who want to sample different majors before deciding.

Tip: Make a list of your academic interests ahead of time so you can prioritize sessions.

Discover Real-World Opportunities

At FSC, every student is guaranteed hands-on experiences—whether internships, study abroad, research, or clinicals. Open house sessions will highlight how these opportunities connect to your career goals.

Tip: Ask about student internships, study abroad trips, and where students in your field of interest go.

Explore Student Life

From athletics to service clubs to performances, college is about more than classes. At Showcase, you’ll experience the energy of FSC’s vibrant campus life and discover the traditions and opportunities that will help you build lasting connections.

Tip: Attend a student panel or take a student-led tour—this is where you’ll get the most authentic answers.

Why It Matters

An open house is your opportunity to determine if the college is the right fit for you. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of whether the school’s academics, community, and opportunities align with your goals. Families who attend Showcase often tell us it was the moment the decision "clicked."