Want a little insight on college life? Here are four perspectives from Class of ‘23 graduates, now a month into a new chapter in their lives. Bridget Cannon, Nick Pickel, Ginger Doran, and Mason Remington were all active members of the Prep community, who learned life lessons here at Prep that they brought with them to their respective colleges. Although they don’t know everything about college yet, because they are new to it all, they are learning as they go.  

Bridget Cannon currently attends Villanova University in Pennsylvania and is majoring in Political Science. Some of her hobbies here at Prep continued over to life at Villanova including being on the club tennis team, outdoors club, and sustainability club. She has had a great time playing club tennis, and has learned a lot about the outdoors, and how to protect it in these clubs. Although hard at times, Cannon says that an academically focused school like Prep was beneficial to preparing her for college. Leaving home, and starting a new chapter, there had obviously been many changes in her life. Since being in college, Cannon said “The best part of college so far has probably been meeting all these new people and being able to take classes dedicated to your major.” 

Nick Pickel is currently at the University of Utah and is majoring in Biology. At Prep, Pickel served 3 years on Associate Student Body, influencing many decisions within the Prep Community. As he settles into life in Utah, Pickel hopes to be involved in some sort of leadership position, but as it is only week 5 of college for him, he is still figuring it out. Moving somewhere completely new and being in a whole new environment by yourself is a big change, but Pickel said, “I was prepared well to live independently thanks to my parents, friends, and Prep, and learned a few hard lessons in my time that taught me about being responsible and accountable for myself.”  

Ginger Doran attends Loyola Chicago University. At Prep, Ginger was very involved in the community, and carried this value over to Loyola, because she loves going to community events. Doran has enjoyed college a lot so far, because it is not as conforming as high school and provides her with the freedom to explore things, she is interested in. As Doran made the transition from high school to college, she reflected a lot on her time in high school, “If I could give any piece of advice to my high school self, I would say participate in as many social events as possible, engage with your peers, and be present in the moment as much as possible. There will always be another assignment, exam, or project but, as you get older, time to try new things, hang out with your friends, or do your favorite activities, get eaten up by responsibilities and obligations.”  

Mason Remington goes to Whitman College in Eastern Washington and plays on the boys’ golf team. Remington has said that Prep prepared him for the workload and full schedule of a college athlete through their enforcing of good study habits as well as advancing his writing skills. He says that one of the most challenging elements of college is the gradual studying and work you have to do to be prepared for a class or exam. “There is a difference in environment at any college versus high school,” Remington said, going on to say how he misses lunches with friends and the welcoming atmosphere that could be felt around Prep.  

Going to college can seem scary and nerve-racking. However, one thing all the freshman agreed upon is that Prep prepared them well for the academic challenges of college and the independence that goes along with it.