Before you do anything, though, consider starting some kind of “heading to college” journal. Your journal can be digital or written. Either way, use it to jot down important thoughts, brainstorm possible schools, and weigh majors. Having all your thoughts, feelings, and observations in a centralized location makes it easier to pick a college later. Plus, you won’t forget anything important.

In your journal, set aside pages devoted primarily to your college search. Include questions you want to ask during your visit or an interview with a college representative. Be sure your questions aren’t things you can find out online about the institution. For instance, asking about tuition rates wastes time. Most schools publish their tuition. Instead, ask about the school’s scholarships—including those you can apply for or could receive after becoming a student.

Feeling a little calmer now that you have a basic game plan? You’ll feel even better when you apply the following strategies to your actual visits.

1. Cluster campus searches by geography.

Let’s say your research has drawn your attention to several out-of-state colleges in one region of the country, like the southwest or northeast. Rather than visiting one per month, why not try to tackle them during one big trip? This allows you to maximize your time and spend less money on travel costs. A piece from The New York Times encourages creative ways to save like piggybacking a college visit with a parent’s business trip.

If you can’t figure out a way to cluster your campus trips, you may want to consider remote visits, especially for your second-tier choices. Many campuses offer remote tours to interested applicants. Taking advantage of virtual college events can be valuable even though you won’t get the full experience.

2. Consider how your values align with the campus.

College isn’t just about academics and degrees. It’s about feeling at home in your surroundings. The last thing you want is to pick an institution where you can’t be yourself and live life based on your values. Consequently, write down what matters most to you as far as your environment is concerned. Use what you’ve written to figure out if a campus matches your needs.

Not sure how to get started? High Point University’s tour checklist recommends developing a set of core values and virtues that represent the tenets of your lifestyle, then looking for visual cues or signs of those values and virtues on each campus. As the North Carolina-based university’s admissions counselors explain, your future alma mater should be a place where you can celebrate and further develop what is important to you. One way to determine if a school will reinforce your beliefs is to look at the calendar of events, as well as college clubs and activities. You can tell a lot about a campus by seeing which organizations thrive there.

3. Resist giving into “sticker shock” paralysis.

Colleges and university tuitions have gone sky-high in recent decades, outpacing inflation roughly twofold. Nevertheless, the price you see isn’t likely to be the price that you actually pay. Many institutions offer sizable academic and athletic scholarships, grant money, and other financial aid. You can’t be sure how much you’ll get until your acceptance, but you might end up being able to afford a school you thought was a long shot.

You should still set a budget for your college education, of course. Not only should you include any college fund money you or your family has set aside but also the highest loan debt amount you want to take on. Just remind yourself that you may be able to negotiate a better deal, particularly if you excel at a sport or are doing well in high school. Don’t be surprised if admissions and financial aid counselors are on hand during your college visit to provide one-on-one advice. Definitely take them up on their offer to clarify how tuition works at their school.

4. Go on your own tour.

It goes without saying that you should take advantage of any tours while you’re at a college campus. You can also make up your own tour when the day is done. Feel free to roam all around the campus, no matter how big or small it may be. Take pictures of buildings, signs, and objects that catch your eye along the way.

In addition to familiarizing yourself with the school grounds, check out nearby neighborhoods, communities, or cities. It’s unlikely that you’ll remain on campus or secluded in a dorm room for four years without venturing out. So get to know the whole picture of where you’ll be living, right down to the closest grocery store or coffee shop hangouts.

5. Be on the lookout for signs of a safe campus.

All campuses want to keep their crime rates to a minimum. Some do a better job than others. When you’re exploring, take note of any safety protocols in place. These could include escort services after dark, monitoring cameras, a bevy of overhead lights, and easy access to security staff.

What if you end up taking a virtual tour instead of a physical one? Include some questions about the college’s safety measures. That way, you and your family will be assured that the universities on your list are putting safety first.

6. Follow the college on social media.

You’re done with all your college visits. Your job isn’t over yet, though. Even if you’ve decided which ones deserve an application, keep tabs on them by following their social media accounts. Every school has at least one major social media account and many have different ones for departments, clubs, and sports teams.

Why bother to spend weeks or months on the college’s social site? You’ll learn tons based on what’s posted, not to mention student, professor, and parent comments. To get an even broader idea of the school, subscribe to newsletter, email, and informational mailing lists.

Whether you expect to visit one college or one dozen campuses, you’ll make the most of every moment by planning. Then, you’ll just have to submit your applications and wait for those results.