cap&gown

2017

Advice To Seniors

College freshmen
share their best tips
for a successful
transition.

JARED KATZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

M

any teenagers count down to
their senior year of high school.
With prom and graduation, it
is a fun time. Come fall, the class of 2021
will be headed off to their freshman year
of college.
Many students can feel apprehensive
about this change. They have to learn
independence very quickly. Some will be
moving to a college nearby; some to col-
leges in a different state. The JN touched
base with five “experts” who just finished
their freshmen year about how to handle
the transition from high school to
college.

JORDAN WOHL, DANVERS
HIGH SCHOOL, DANVERS, MA.,
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-
DEARBORN

Major: Political science
“It is OK to send your child to
Dearborn! ”
1. College freshmen should never
be discouraged by a bad exam
score or a bad day in college.
2. The key to being successful as
a college student and as a mature
adult is turning mistakes into
learning experiences and opportu-

nities to improve.
3. The Jewish impact is very important; get involved and
meet people with similar beliefs and experiences.
4. I’ve impacted the Jewish community at UM-Dearborn
by being involved, being a successful student and attending
many Hillel events.
5. I want to show other parents that sending their Jewish
child to Dearborn can be a positive experience, and I want
them to feel comfortable that their kids can have the same
successful experiences.

JACOB KORNBLUM, FARBER
HEBREW DAY SCHOOL,
BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY

Major: Business administration
“I recommend getting involved at
your school’s Hillel.”
1. I recommend taking less than
the maximum allowed credits; it can
be a struggle to adjust to college life.
2. Use your residential advisers as
a resource; they are usually among
the first friends you meet.
3. With roommates, set boundar-
ies, such as when you like to go to
sleep and how much privacy you require; think of it as a mutual
relationship where you must compromise sometimes.
4. I recommend checking out all the dining halls at your col-
lege or university because there are a lot more options than just
the dorm you live in.
5. I recommend studying with someone who is studious
because it helps you stay motivated.
6. Hillel at Binghamton ran an interfaith Shabbat dinner
for Muslims and Jews. It also hosts an annual trip to a local
mosque for Muslim and Jewish students. We really have more
in common with Muslims than we know and, thankfully, the
Jews and Muslims here at Binghamton have a good relation-
ship. I recommend getting involved at your school’s Hillel.

continued on page 110

108

May 25 • 2017

jn