Now in College, AC Grads Sound More Like Their Parents and Teachers
Posted on January 10th, 2019 by Allendale Columbia SchoolBy John Palomaki
Get to bed earlier.
Don’t wait to the last minute to start your homework.
Get out of your room and make friends.
Do your laundry.
Talk to your teachers.
Manage your time.
Find your passion.
School work comes first.
Surround yourself with good people.
Turn your homework in on time.
Make sure you get enough sleep.
Just do the work.
Think about who you are.
Admonitions from parents or teachers? Not this time. These are some of the many tips Allendale Columbia graduates gave Upper School students based on their college experiences.
On January 8th,16 college students who graduated from AC within the last few years returned to campus for the annual College Life Program. It was a chance to reconnect with each other, say hello to their former teachers, and enjoy one more family-style lunch in the Dining Commons.
Their main reason for returning, though, was to share their insights with current AC students who are about to embark on their own college adventure in a few months as well as those from 9th-11th grades who are preparing for their post-secondary life. Most of the AC graduates arrived fresh from their first semester of higher education, and a few others were nearing the end of their college careers. Their advice, compiled and paraphrased in the following paragraphs, was genuine, encouraging, sometimes raw, and often insightful.
- AC College Advisor Kristin Cocquyt catches up with Jordan Wynn ’18 (NYU) and Brandon Medina ’18 (High Point University) at the College Life Program reception.
- Brandon Medina ’18 (High Point University), with his girlfriend Alex, talk with his former math teacher and now IT Director Rob Doran.
- History teacher Ted Hunt shared smiles with Caroline Mealey ’18 (Providence College).
- Ben Frenett ’16 (RIT), Rotsirohawi Galban ’18 (Harvard College), and Kenny Mogauro ’18 (Nazareth College) meet at this year’s College Life Program.
- Head of School Mick Gee checks in with Ben Frenett ’16 (RIT) and Rotsirohawi Galban ’18 (Harvard College) during their visit.
- Taylor Osborne ’15 talks with Director of Advancement Karen Higman and College Advisor Kristin Cocquyt.
- Head of School Mick Gee asks recent graduates their advice on what to keep, what to change at AC.
- Recent AC graduates met with Head of School Mick Gee at the College Life Program on January 8th, 2019.
- Panelist Ben Frenett ’16 (RIT) introduced himself to AC Upper School students during the College Life Program, with fellow panelists (left to right) Tran Khang ’17 (RIT), Luke Nicosia ’17 (Dickinson College), Caroline Mealey ’18 (Providence College), Jaden Sowell ’18 (Ohio University), and Jordan Wynn ’18 (NYU), with moderator Diane Broberg (Upper School Dean of Students).
- Luke Nicosia ’18 talked about his experiences starting at Dickinson College.
- Trank Khang ’17 (RIT) offered some advice during the College Life panel discussion.
- Jaden Sowell ’18 (Ohio University) offered some tips to AC Upper School students during at the College Life panel discussion..
- AC students in grades 9-12 had an opportunity to ask questions and hear tips about College Life from a panel of recent AC graduates.
- Caroline Mealey ’18 (Providence College) spoke about her experiences in her first semester at college.
- Jordan Wynn ’18 shared a story from her experience as a Dance major at NYU.
- Jaden Sowell ’18 (Ohio University) provided some good laughs with his solid advice at the College Life panel discussion.
- After the panel discussion, all of the recent graduates who returned for the College Life Program spent some time with AC seniors who are about to embark on their post-secondary careers in a discussion emceed by Upper School Dean Diane Broberg . Front, left to right: Denzel Mwanangala ’17 (Keuka College), Indy Maring ’18 (University of Rochester), Tran Khang ’17 (RIT), Luke Nicosia ’17 (Dickinson College), Caroline Mealey ’18 (Providence College), Jaden Sowell ’18 (Ohio University), Ben Frenett ’16 (RIT), Jordan Wynn ’18 (NYU), Brandon Medina ’18 (High Point University) with his girlfriend Alex. Rear, left to right: Taylor Osborne ’15, James Bourtis ’18 (Columbia University), Rotsirohawi Galban ’18 (Harvard College), Tom Yi ’16 (University of Rochester), Alan Johnson ’17 (University of Rochester), and Andrew Drago ’17 (University of Rochester)
They advised on the college application process: Find your passion and show it in your essay. Be open to suggestions from Ms. Cocquyt (Kristin Cocquyt, AC College Advisor); I had a list of 20 colleges, she recommended a 21st, I applied to four including her recommendation, and that’s where I ended up going. Don’t be afraid to explore schools that are a little farther away. Go ahead and apply to some “reach” schools; I was surprised I got in to mine. Visit more schools; you’ll get a better feel and you can see things they don’t necessarily tell you in the materials. Make sure you understand your financial aid package. Email or reach out to professors in the programs you’re interested in to get more information.
Encouraging comments were universal: The academic work is not that hard. You’re smart enough. You’re well-prepared. There’s just more of it. After writing papers for Mr. Hunt, this was easy. Dr. Lawlis taught me everything already.
Some comments, particularly in the session with only current seniors, were a bit raw: Everyone here at AC is nice; there are so many more people at college, and not everyone you meet there is nice. There can be a lot of peer pressure (to drink, etc.); be strong and have good friends around you to stand up to it. Keep an eye on your stuff; laundry gets taken (though often accidentally and returned). It can sometimes feel overwhelming; I’m always surrounded by other people, and I’ve learned that I need time alone, too.
These comments seemed particularly insightful: Sometimes you just have to sit down and ask yourself the question, “who am I?”. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right friends, and they may not be the first people you meet, but you’ll find them. Get involved in clubs and activities; they’re great ways to meet people. There are so many things you can choose to do: you can stay up all night having fun, you can stay up all night studying, there are so many clubs and sports, you might have a job; you really have to manage your time well and remember that school work has to come first. You’ll find your balance.
Wisdom comes from experience, and even though the advice given echoes what today’s high schoolers might hear from parents or teachers, near-peers are often more relatable. That, along with the reassurance that AC students are well-prepared for the challenges of college, are what make AC’s annual College Life Program so meaningful.
A special thank you to our grads that returned to AC for the 2019 College Life Program:
James Bourtis ‘18 (Columbia University)
Andrew Drago ‘17 (University of Rochester)
Ben Frenett ‘16 (RIT)
Rotsirohawi Galban ‘18 (Harvard College)
Alan Johnson ‘18 (University of Buffalo)
Indy Maring ‘18 (University of Rochester)
Caroline Mealey ‘18 (Providence College)
Brandon Medina ‘18 (High Point University)
Kenny Mogauro ‘18 (Nazareth College)
Denzel Mwanangala ‘17 (Keuka College)
Luke Nicosia ‘17 (Dickinson College)
Taylor Osborne ‘15
Jaden Sowell ‘18 (Ohio University)
Khang Tran ‘17 (RIT)
Jordan Wynn ‘18 (New York University)
Tom Yi ‘16 (University of Rochester)
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John PalomakiJohn is a parent of twin boys in Middle School at AC, an active volunteer, and occasional contributor of stories and photos. John spent a stimulating 10 years at Microsoft through the 90s as a systems engineer and managing executive relations programs. Since then, John has worked with non-profit organizations and has held leadership roles in independent schools in New Jersey and Connecticut in development, communications, and technology. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences (Biology) from Colgate University. |
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