St Margaret’s Grads Return With Advice For College-Bound Seniors

WATERBURY — At a time when most high school seniors are racing to beat deadlines for college applications, a group of 2004 St Margaret’s-McTernan graduates recently returned via a special student assembly to give advice on the college transition to this year’s seniors.

Students on the panel included Julian Rosenberg, Johns Hopkins University; Catherine Blume, Loyola University New Orleans; Eric Ciaramella, Yale University; Tai Spargo, American University; Travis Woodside, College of William and Mary; Ryan Cole, American University; Mary Eschuk, New York University; Michael Cavallo, Teikyo Post University; Jason Luria, Wingate University; Joseph Panza, University of Rochester; Robert Patenge, Carnegie Mellon University; and Erica Pilicy, Loyola College.

The panel covered issues including time management, meeting friends, living with roommates, choosing courses, campus security, and having fun.

Mary said it was difficult to get homework done in New York City. “I have to study in my room, but I go out a lot and it’s difficult to concentrate.”

Tai added that DC offered more opportunities than Waterbury. “A group of about 20 of us go out every weekend to Georgetown, movies, restaurants, and clubs. We take the Metro everywhere.”

Balancing sleep and study schedules seemed to be another important concern for these students away from home for the first time.

“I only get about five hours of sleep per night,” Julian said. “The level of work is demanding.”

Robert said he could not believe the amount of work he had. “I’m not as shocked as kids from public school, but when I’m not sleeping, eating, or in class, I’m working — or playing ultimate Frisbee.” His sport requires two hours a day of practice, plus conditioning, and weekends away from campus.

Erica said she signed herself into sport study hall to add the extra structure and study time to her day.  Most students felt they were well prepared for the academic life at college, although living on their own, and getting along with roommates, has required some adjustments.

Eric, now happily ensconced at Yale, warned younger students that they will live with people with different habits. “I would never throw pizza on the floor, but they do. Our common room is repulsive.”

Other students told funny stories about getting along with difficult roommates — one of the toughest transitions for some college freshmen.

Their parting words of advice for seniors about to make the leap to college:

“Applications can be tedious, but you have a chance to sum yourself up, express yourself, then, if you’re smart enough, you’ll just get in,” Julian said.

“You’ll know when you see the right school,” Mary added, “and you’ll know when you’re at the wrong school.”

“If you don’t get in your first choice school, don’t be bitter,” Eric added. “Embrace the school you go to. Don’t sit in your room when you could be out meeting people.”

Tina Segalla-Grant, director of college counseling at St Margaret’s-McTernan School, coordinates the “Return to Campus” event each year to give upperclassmen a chance to really explore their options at this critical juncture in the decisionmaking process.