FULLERTON : Pupils Find College Tour Educational

Tim Sherman, 11, never really considered the idea of going to college before Thursday for one simple reason: “I thought it was going to be boring.”

But now, after touring the campus of Cal State Fullerton with his sixth-grade class, Tim is excited about continuing his education after high school.

“I just really love it. I’m going to come back here soon with my parents. I just hope that someday I can come here,” the sixth-grader said.

Tim was among about 75 students from Earl Warren Elementary School in Garden Grove who toured the campus this week. The 2 1/2-hour tour was intended to get children thinking about, and possibly planning for, college long before they might have otherwise considered it, said Lisa Evers, program facilitator for special education at Garden Grove Unified School District.

“We wanted to get them in early. A lot of times when they get to high school or junior high, they already have their minds made up about whether they want to go to college or whether they can go,” Evers said.

During their visit, the youths and about 20 parents walked through the computer building, classrooms, athletic fields and tree-lined courtyards. For the children, highlights of the trip included the recreation rooms, complete with bowling alleys, pool tables and video games.

“In college, you’ll notice that there’s no school bell,” said tour guide Steve Fu, 20, a student at the campus.

“That’s because all the students know when they’re supposed to be at their classes,” Fu said. “No one tells them what to do, and if you miss a class, no one calls you at home.”

The news that going to class is not always required prompted several students to cry out, “No way!” and one girl’s mouth dropped open as she stared in silent disbelief.

During the tour, the pupils were also surprised to learn that college students can determine their own schedules and that they do not all take the same classes. Several six-graders commented that college is not what they expected.

“I thought college was just one building,” said April Van Deldon, 11. “I had no idea it was going to be this big.”

Angelica Almodovar, 12, said she wanted to study ecology at the college someday. “I think the whole school is cool and I want to come here when I grow up,” she said.

She appreciated the tour and said that it made her feel excited about learning and maintaining good grades. She added: “I was planning to go to college already, but I didn’t know it was going to be fun.”