On March 19, a group of seniors took a trip to the Merced College Los Banos campus to get a better idea of what college might be like. The trip was mainly for students who are thinking about attending there after high school.
When they arrived, students were able to walk around campus on their own instead of sticking with a group the whole time. They explored the different buildings, walked through hallways, and watched college students going about their day.
While walking around, they also saw places where students hang out and spend time in between classes, like the on campus Starbucks. They also got to check out study spots like the library. This helped give a better idea of what a typical day in college actually looks like.
Later on, there was a presentation where staff and current MC students talked about majors, programs, the enrollment process and the different student resources available. They also went over the costs and fees, which caught a lot of students’ attention.
Nylah Salazar (12) said, “The most interesting thing I learned was the total cost of attending. I didn’t know there were so many little fees.”
After the presentation, students were given lunch, which included tacos, an agua fresca, and ice cream. They also got free merchandise like a shirt, a drawstring bag, and some informational pamphlets.
For some seniors like Salazar (12), visiting the campus in person made everything feel more real and closer than before. Salazar said, “Seeing actual students arriving for lectures and walking through campus showed me exactly what my life is going to look like in a few months.”
The trip for seniors considering Merced College gave them a clearer idea of what to expect. It wasn’t just a field trip, but more like a preview of what’s coming next after high school, helping students feel more prepared and confident about their future.
