Sydney Jones currently attends University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She, for one, has undoubtedly been feeling the pressures of college life.

“It’s your responsibility to get all your homework done on time, bring a scantron to your exams, and manage your social life on the side. Be careful not to get too caught up in the social life at college! My first semester GPA is definite proof that college is not all fun and games,” said soon-to-be sophomore Jones.

Though she’s moved on to bigger and better things at UNC, Jones does not plan on forgetting her roots at Wakefield High School.

“My fondest memory of Wakefield is probably when we won the $100,000 for Celebrate My Drive. I heard Dr. Wells on the intercom pleading for people to vote so often it haunts me in college. All of the hard work and voting paid off in the end, and I honestly can not believe we actually won the money! This memory makes me proud to be a Wacko forever and always,” said Jones.

 

Jessie Christopher currently attends Ball State University. Something she wishes she had known going into college was to just breathe.

“Going into a new place where you don’t know anyone, especially if you go out of state, is terrifying. It is silly, but it truly works,” said Christopher.

“Everyone is just as scared and nervous as you, and you just have to breathe and jump in!”

After experiencing her first year of college, Christopher says the biggest difference from high school to college was the level of new responsibility.

“You have to step up in a whole new way and take control of your life and education,” Christopher said.

“You have to have the discipline to sit down and do your work, go to class, and make sure your laundry is done. ‘Adulting’ is hard.”

 

Isiah Lott has just completed his first year of college at Wake Tech Community College. 

“I’d advise everyone to have as much fun before college as you can, because college swallows all of your money.” He also adds, “Never procrastinate on projects. Ever.”

Lott’s favorite memory of being a Wolverine is the “sense of family.”

“The feeling of belonging somewhere and feeling welcome.”

 

Graham McAlexander goes to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is loving his newfound freedom associated with college life.

“The biggest difference [between high school and college] is the fact that you can literally do whatever you want whenever you want. This is a great freedom but can lead to a lot of slacking off. Make sure you do your work, get good sleep, eat well, and then your free time will be even sweeter. Independence is awesome and if you’re responsible with it then you’ll have a great time in college,” said rising sophomore McAlexander.

To make the transition from high school to college easier, he suggests to pick a few organizations to partake in, a good study spot, making a few new friends, and most importantly now overwhelming yourself.

While college dominates his life now, McAlexander will never forget some of his fondest memories created here at Wakefield.

“My favorite memory of Wakefield was beating Wake Forest at home during my sophomore year. We won a very close game and stormed the field. I loved Wakefield’s athletics and that school spirit only gets stronger when you go to college. Protect the W and Go Heels!” said McAlexander.

 

Kristen Okoro attends Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Okoro provides insight to what she wishes she had known as she entered her freshman year.

“I wish I would have known how much college was going to test my limits: academically and socially. It is the first time in your life you are truly free, and you have to make your own decisions and these decisions are extremely significant for your future. Your GPA is no longer just a measure of who gets to give that speech at graduation; it determines whether or not you’ll get that internship, whether or not you’ll keep your financial aid; or whether or not that graduate school you may want to go to after you graduate will accept you.”

On advice she would give to this year’s seniors as they enter college, Okoro said:

“Get to know your professors, learn how to cite (many college students are ignorant on when to cite, what to cite, and how to cite), have fun; regardless of what I said about your GPA it is also important to develop valuable human relationships, people on which you can depend.” 

“You will need those people (especially if you go to a university 5 hours away like I decided to do) because college will try you mentally and physically and if you do not have that support system, sometimes it can break you.”