It’s no surprise that your last few years of high school are stressful. These are the years that colleges look at, after all, and teachers are sure that everyone remembers it. But beyond figuring out what you need to do for colleges, it’s also the time to figure out what colleges can do for you (JFK anyone?). Garfield alum Rebecca Varon is now a student at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, where she gives tours to prospective students. And for all those who never know what to ask as they’re shuffled around the campus, listening awkwardly as their parents ask about the “social scene,” here are a few ideas, from her to you.

What if you get a really bad number in the housing lottery? Not to sound superficial or anything, but I don’t really want to spend my college years living in a closet. Asking this question will not only tell you more about living on campus, but, according to Varon, also “whether a lot of students feel like they can slip through the cracks without having much recourse.”

How much do students take advantage of _______? Who cares if a college has a whole dining hall devoted to exotic cuisines of the lower South Pacific if nobody eats there? One, it means the foods probably not that good or two, that it’s hard to use for some reason. This question can be asked about anything: books in the library, features of an athletic center, food in the dining halls.

What happens if you decide to do something academically life-changing? This isn’t quite as drastic as it sounds; it’s actually more along the lines of changing a major. Although it sounds boring, it is important to know the rigidity of the school’s administration, as well as the quality and helpfulness of advising programs.

What do you do on a typical weekend? This is where you get to hear about all the ca-razy frat parties (or lack there-of) that go on each weekend. As Varon says, “Even if your tour guide gives you an answer made up of a collection of things they think will sound fun, there’s some truth in that, too — what’s thought of as ‘fun’ on this campus?”

What kind of access do students have to funding? Another seemingly boring one, but think about it: a college might talk and talk about all study abroad programs and internships, but these things cost money. You’ll want to know if your financial aid will carry over while you study in Spain for a semester or if you’ll have to pay rather than be paid for an internship you do.

BONUS: What’s something interesting about this school’s a cappella scene? Yeah it’s dorky to us now, but singing is seemingly cool at many schools. And all these schools at which singing is cool have a fun fact about the scene. For instance, Haverford has the most a cappella per capita.

DON’T ASK: What’s your least favorite thing about the school? Remember, the guides are there representing their college and some are even getting paid for it. Even if someone does ask it, the answer in front of so many people will almost certainly be at least a little dishonest. Try saving this one for after the tour or for another student you meet on campus.