Welcome Back Class of 2024!

Many seniors at Brewster High School have submitted college applications and are nervously awaiting decisions. Where will they be next year? How will they pick a roommate? As a way to combat the anxiety, Robert LoAlbo, a 12th grade English teacher invited 20 of last year’s BHS grads–who attend colleges ranging from University of Alabama and Ohio State to University of Binghamton and University of Florida–to speak to this year’s seniors about their experiences in the first semester freshman year. 

“I specifically invited seniors because their experiences are so fresh,” said LoAlbo, “and if you can believe it, this will be you in a few months.”

The auditorium was filled with English students enrolled in LoAlba and Kimberly Perillo’s Manhattanville English classes. The format of the get together was a Q & A with LoAlbo asking the questions and a microphone being passed amongst the group for the answers. The questions were directed and the answers were honest. 

Here’s a glimpse of what they covered: the biggest changes being away at school, how big classes are compared to high school, do they take attendance, advice on making friends, bad roommates, balancing stress, the workload, fraternities and sororities, safety concerns on campus, how BHS prepared students for college, how AI has played a role in classes, peer pressure, dorm life, the most valuable item you brought to campus, and going random or picking a roommate.

“The first weeks of school were the hardest. Definitely be prepared for the bad days. But know that everyone is going through the same thing and that it will get better,” said Arianna Fisher from University of Alabama.

“I thought I was going to transfer, “ said Katie Tarantino who goes to the University of Pittsburgh, “but after a while I started meeting my people and making friends. Making friends takes time.”

“Independence was the biggest challenge for me, “said Ava Katsetos from University of South Carolina, “doing laundry, keeping myself accountable, going to class, feeding myself, and having the freedom to do whatever I wanted was hard to figure out.”

“Goto campus events! Going to a campus wide volleyball game changed my experience. I made lots of my closest friends at that game,” said Rebekah Kalladeen who attends Alfred University.

The advice on roommates was mixed–go random or not to go random. Most agreed going random was a mistake although some had a good experience with random roommates.

One of the takeaways had come from LoAlbo himself.

“Mr. LoAlbo had told me to leave the door open to my room as a way to make friends,” said Ivelisse Arocho who attends Ohio State, “on the first night I opened the door and immediately a suitemate walked into my room and said what’s up? Because of that we became friends. That was great advice. You have to put yourself out there.”