Students pose for a silly photo on Western Washington University’s Communications Lawn
On August 11, FuturesNW welcomed high school students to Western Washington University for College Experience Day, an opportunity for students to explore campus, learn about college resources, and get a firsthand look at what life after high school could look like.
The day began with a guided tour of Western’s Recreation Center, where students got to see some of the recreation spaces and facilities available to students. From there, the group headed to Academic West for Financial Aid Jeopardy, led by Dina Murphy. Through the interactive game, students tested their knowledge while learning more about financial aid, college costs, and the resources that can help make higher education more accessible.
After working up an appetite, students enjoyed a Mexican buffet for lunch before continuing their campus experience at Western’s Disability Access Center (DAC). The group began inside the DAC, learning about the support and resources available to students with disabilities. Students also had the option to sign up for Western’s new student application with the DAC.
The afternoon offered an even closer look at what everyday college life can feel like. Students visited the residence halls and then split into two groups to hear directly from current Western students about their academic experiences. One group connected with a student studying biology and learned more about pursuing a STEM field, while the other took a tour of the humanities and education buildings. These conversations gave students the chance to hear about college from someone who is living the experience themselves and to ask questions about academics, campus life, and choosing a field of study.
And while the August heat made for a particularly warm day on campus, students stayed engaged throughout the experience.
College Experience Day was about more than simply touring Western. It gave students an opportunity to see themselves on a college campus, learn about resources they can access as students, and begin thinking about the academic and personal paths they might pursue after high school. For students who may not have had the opportunity to spend much time on a college campus before, the experience helped make college feel more familiar, approachable, and within reach!