Wantagh High School Guidance Department recently invited four of its 2024 graduates to share their experiences and lessons learned during their first semester of college. The highlights of the conversation, led by Frank Muzio, Director of Guidance, shared tips on what to avoid, how to study, roommate selection, and balancing both schoolwork and social activities.

Stephen D’Amato, Penn State University freshman, emphasizes the critical importance of time management in college life. “I can’t stress enough how you need to manage your time,” he says. “Falling behind in studying can create a cycle that’s hard to recover from.” He shares that staying on top of your academic responsibilities is essential.

Michael Michitsch of SUNY Farmingdale points out that self-reliance is a major part of the college experience. Whether commuting to campus or managing your workload, he says, “It’s up to you to take charge of your education.” He also shared that building connections is another key to success. For Michael, having friends both on and off campus has been rewarding. “You have to make the connection with new people which can open doors to study groups, networking opportunities, and friendships.”

Jaclyn Silverman shares that one of the things she enjoys most about attending college at Louisiana State University is the freedom to create her own schedule. While the flexibility is great, she suggests filling downtime with productive activities, like seeking academic help or engaging in fun pastimes at athletic events or hanging out with friends.

Starting college without knowing what to expect was a challenge for Isabelle Witte at James Madison University, but she quickly learned the importance of accountability. “You’re responsible for your learning and how you want it to go,” she says. She encourages students to avoid staying cooped up in their dorm and to study at the library or student union. Not holding herself accountable early on had an impact on her grades, but she learned to turn things around by prioritizing her studies.

Another important topic discussed amongst the panel was the aspect of roommate selection. While some schools allow students to connect on social media to find roommates, others use questionnaires to match students which doesn’t always work out. Stephen’s experience with a roommate taught him to ask tough questions prior to move-in. After dealing with a roommate who played video games until 4 a.m., Stephen decided to move out. “Get to know them in person and see if they have a similar lifestyle to yours,” he advises. Jaclyn’s advice is to keep communication open. “You don’t have to be best friends, but you need to resolve issues effectively.”