Graduates Offer Advice, Support
By Kate Joiner
Sandia Prep Times Staff Writer
Several recent graduates returned to Prep in January to give seniors some sound advice, explaining their eye-opening experiences as college freshmen and offering tips on life after high school.
“I did not really know what to expect when I went to college, “said Larissa Lozano, a freshman at Trinity College in San Antonio, Tex. “It is different than here, but I have really enjoyed it so far.”
Lozano was among about 20 graduates who gathered in the Commons on Jan. 7 to discuss their college lives with current seniors over a lunch of green chili stew and enchiladas. The event was intended to guide seniors in their school choice while giving them a taste of what to expect.
“Overall, I think the event went well,” said Dave Schindel, college counselor and economics teacher. “Alumni sat at the front of the Commons and shared their stories of roommates, homework and the college atmosphere. It was well attended and everyone was willing to share their stories.”
While many students leave the state for college, many also choose to go to UNM or another school in New Mexico.
“Even though I stayed in Albuquerque, college is still totally different than my life in high school. My schedule is completely different,” said Maddie Barker, a freshman at UNM.
Former Prep students who left for college expressed a longing for New Mexico.
“I did not realize that I would miss New Mexico so much,” said Julie Calderera, who attends Columbia University in New York City. “I went a long ways and I have really noticed that I miss the sky. New Mexico is so much more open than the city.”
One of the questions asked during the question and answer session was whether or not Prep adequately prepared students for college. The answers from the alumni were mixed. Some feel Prep did an excellent job preparing them and they breezed through their first semester, while others think that Prep did not prepare them to meet the standards set by some schools.
“I felt very prepared for school,” said Kevin Wade, who attends Texas Tech University. “The first semester has been mostly review for me. Prep really prepared me well.”
Mr. Schindel also believes students leave for college academically ready for the new expectations put on them.
“I feel that the students were prepared,” he said. “I felt they were especially well prepared in writing and the sciences.”
But some freshman did not agree.
“I have never worked so hard in my life,” said Leah Rosenburg, a student at Barnard College. “Midterms hit me hard, and I don’t think I was ready for that situation. I’m not sure I ever could have been prepared.”
Although college students expressed their anxieties over academics, a recent college graduate had a different take.
Sandia Prep Times Staff Writer
Several recent graduates returned to Prep in January to give seniors some sound advice, explaining their eye-opening experiences as college freshmen and offering tips on life after high school.
“I did not really know what to expect when I went to college, “said Larissa Lozano, a freshman at Trinity College in San Antonio, Tex. “It is different than here, but I have really enjoyed it so far.”
Lozano was among about 20 graduates who gathered in the Commons on Jan. 7 to discuss their college lives with current seniors over a lunch of green chili stew and enchiladas. The event was intended to guide seniors in their school choice while giving them a taste of what to expect.
“Overall, I think the event went well,” said Dave Schindel, college counselor and economics teacher. “Alumni sat at the front of the Commons and shared their stories of roommates, homework and the college atmosphere. It was well attended and everyone was willing to share their stories.”
While many students leave the state for college, many also choose to go to UNM or another school in New Mexico.
“Even though I stayed in Albuquerque, college is still totally different than my life in high school. My schedule is completely different,” said Maddie Barker, a freshman at UNM.
Former Prep students who left for college expressed a longing for New Mexico.
“I did not realize that I would miss New Mexico so much,” said Julie Calderera, who attends Columbia University in New York City. “I went a long ways and I have really noticed that I miss the sky. New Mexico is so much more open than the city.”
One of the questions asked during the question and answer session was whether or not Prep adequately prepared students for college. The answers from the alumni were mixed. Some feel Prep did an excellent job preparing them and they breezed through their first semester, while others think that Prep did not prepare them to meet the standards set by some schools.
“I felt very prepared for school,” said Kevin Wade, who attends Texas Tech University. “The first semester has been mostly review for me. Prep really prepared me well.”
Mr. Schindel also believes students leave for college academically ready for the new expectations put on them.
“I feel that the students were prepared,” he said. “I felt they were especially well prepared in writing and the sciences.”
But some freshman did not agree.
“I have never worked so hard in my life,” said Leah Rosenburg, a student at Barnard College. “Midterms hit me hard, and I don’t think I was ready for that situation. I’m not sure I ever could have been prepared.”
Although college students expressed their anxieties over academics, a recent college graduate had a different take.
