This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Recent Weston High School Graduates: It's All Working Out (VIDEO)

Returning students tell parents, faculty high points, challenges of freshman year.

In many ways, being a freshman in college is the same as it ever was: savoring new independence, learning time management skills, and, of course, meeting new people. Among key differences in the college process today as compared to previous generations’ is the time and stress involved in choosing the right college.

To which new freshmen from Weston High School say: Don’t worry so much. It will all work out.

That message and others were imparted by a panel of 2011 WHS graduates who spoke to a group of students and parents at the school yesterday about their experiences as freshmen in their first semester.

Find out what's happening in Westonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The annual “Return of the Graduates” event is organized to “help allay parents’ fears and give kids an idea of what to expect,” said Alice Benson, chair of the PTO at WHS.

The panelists—Taylor Reeves, Louisiana State University; Nicky Packs, Tufts University; Dale Ziobro, Denison University; Eric Doyle, Northeastern University; Meghan Harwood, Colby College; Kerry Ecker, Wake Forest University; and Kristi Wagner, Yale University—represented a wide range of institutions, disciplines, and experiences. Some students, like Ziobro, have in their largest college classes 25-30 students, while others, like Reeves, have hundreds.

Find out what's happening in Westonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The students discussed the different challenges they’ve faced, with most in agreement that time management took a few months to adjust to.

“Everything is planned for you in high school,” said Packs, adding that a lack of extracurriculars during his first semester actually made it harder for him to manage his time. “In college it’s really up to you to look for things to do outside of your classes, and that can be hard sometimes.”

In terms of advice about which school to choose, panelists’ recommendations ranged from telling students to think outside the box, to advising them to rub elbows with prospective schools’ students.

“Go for the people,” said Packs. “They’re what make up the school.”

Ecker agreed, adding that on visits to prospective schools, “Go to the cafeteria and sit with a couple of kids. That will give you a more unfiltered, unadulterated view.”

But the overarching message the panelists imparted to both the parents and students in the audience was to try to relax during the college selection process they’ll be undertaking through this year.

“Looking back on it, we all stressed way too much” during the selection process, said Packs.

 “I was one of the people who had my heart set on a school I didn’t get into (before realizing) I’ll be so much happier at (Colby),” said Harwood, adding that not getting into her original school of choice was “very far from the end of the world. I couldn’t be happier now. It will all work out.”

Download the movie

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?