With seniors completing their final days in high school and juniors beginning to research life after graduation, Liberty North has began hosting an influx of college tours. UMC, or University of Central Missouri, is quite a popular choice among universities in the state. The school offers a variety of undergraduate majors and minors, opportunities for studying abroad and hands on learning to enhance your experience.

   Planning for the next step in life is nerve-wracking and quite often do high school students feel the burden of that pressure. While there are some who know exactly what direction to travel in, there are many who are still searching for the right one, in terms of academic endeavours.

   “Before the visitation, I hadn’t really ever looked at or had any driving force to go to UCM. Some people I knew were going however, and so I thought I would give it a try. I don’t really know where I want to go at this moment in time, so I am still very open to looking around and figuring out where the right fit is for me.” Junior Selma Khalil said when asked about seeking out UCM as a potential pick.

   The atmosphere of a school is possibly one of the most important components. When seeking out a college to continue their educational studies, for many students, the environment may be a factor in whether or not that university becomes the school that they settle down into.

   “The atmosphere was really nice. Everyone there seemed like they wanted to help you and it was nice seeing students who liked the school and administrators who were passionate about it, too.” Khalil said.

   UCM states on their website that they have a commitment to continuous learning to allow students to find their own purpose. With engaged learning being one of their main focuses, UCM does everything in its power to capitalize student involvement.

   “The most exciting part was probably the panel of the students because it allowed us to ask them whatever we wanted to and could get the students’ perspective on things first hand.” Khalil said when reflecting on the most exciting part of the college tour.