How College ACTually Is: CHS alumni share experiences in seminar
More stories from Scott Bowser
During an ACT seminar held on Thur 1/7, CHS alums often mentioned that college is about how much work one chooses to put into school. Pictured (from left to right): Yunjin Yang, Kyle Wise, David Erfle, and Ryan Doody.
Last Thursday, January 6, CHS welcomed back alumni Madeline Winn, Karina Ciocca, Yujin Yang, Kyle Wise, David Erfle, Ryan Doody and Jacob Milligan to share their experiences as college freshmen.
In an ACT seminar held in the Fowler LGI and organized by teacher and ACT program head Matt Fahnestock, attendees were able “to get a glimpse of what the reality” of college is like, explained Fahnestock.
It was designed to be an informative Q&A session for “the current seniors, or anyone who’s in high school looking forward to the next year or the future,” said Fahnestock.
Those in attendance were given the opportunity to ask questions about assimilating into college life. Ranging from grading to social life, the former CHS students gave out plenty of information.
The graduates also discussed personal stories, the transition from Carlisle, and the differences between multiple types of colleges.
On the subject of making new friends, Syracuse student Doody believes it’s important to “[not] be afraid to invite yourself to things, join a group.”
Additionally, Ciocca, enrolled at Penn State, cites how important it is to “[not] forget about home because shoving it out of your mind is easy, but then you will get really homesick.”
Fahnestock hopes that by being able to “talk about the adjustment from Carlisle to college,” students will continue to be prepared for their future.
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This is Scott Bowser, Periscope's News Section Editor. He's a junior that enjoys Netflix, tennis, and hanging out with friends. #ChipotleisLife
Amina • Jan 15, 2016 at 10:12 pm
I wish I could have attended the seminar because by reiterating what recent alumni have first-handedly experienced to my parents, it would be easier for them to let me go to school further from home. It would have also been interesting if older alumni could have been a part of the seminar so students can get a glimpse of life after college and so that the older alumni could share experiences from their entire post-secondary careers.
Micaela Moffatt • Jan 15, 2016 at 9:37 pm
Like McKenzie said, I would have loved to have known that this seminar was going to take place because I definitely would have attended! I am so excited to go to college, but a little nervous for the transition. I think that giving students a chance to talk with college students about the transition from not only high school to college, but from living with your family to being independent, is definitely helpful!
Amanda Padilla • Jan 15, 2016 at 5:18 pm
I wish it was advertised to the seniors more. Everyone has an idea of what college will be like but not exactly. Who better to learn from than people who just made the transition?
Mary Smith • Jan 15, 2016 at 2:33 pm
I’m glad this seminar happened, and college is a big transition, but I would have loved to see older college students there too. You’re college life changes every year, and different age perspectives would have been more helpful.
McKenzie Mangan • Jan 15, 2016 at 8:49 am
I really wish I had known about this seminar before it happened!! As a senior it would have been extremely beneficial to hear students from last year’s graduating class talk about what they think college is like first hand. I like what the students said about it what you put in. Like Ryan had said about inviting yourself and getting involved is extremely important when starting somewhere new. I wish I could have heard the rest of their advice!
Jasmine Sheaffer • Jan 14, 2016 at 1:34 pm
I agree with Karina’s statement about getting homesick. I’ve made a few good trips by myself this year and got a taste of just how quickly you can get homesick. I am afraid that once in college I’ll get to wrapped up in my work that I’ll forget my roots. However, like Fahnestock said, if you continue to research and look into these things it should make the transition easier.
Jackson Hoch • Jan 12, 2016 at 9:27 am
I think this seminar was a really good idea and I hope it continues in the future. I’m glad to see CHS alumni coming back to visit to guide other students.
Madi Clepper • Jan 12, 2016 at 8:24 am
I think college would be a really great experience but different. it definitely seems like it takes a lot of motivation since you aren’t required to attend and show up to your class. Not only does the learning environment seem different but it’s cool that you can meet hundreds of new people from a wide range of school and backgrounds.