Deadlines are piling up, students are drowning in applications, and you haven’t scheduled a single college tour. Some seniors are fully committed to schools, and some haven’t even started applying yet. No matter where you are in the college process, there are a lot of feelings, both positive and negative, that may arise. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, which most students are, you’re in luck! Miss Reagan Woitowitz is this year’s EHHS college advisor, and she is here to help you. Miss Reagan majored in Human Rights and Sociology with a minor in Spanish at UCONN. She says that the college process is usually both stressful and exciting. “It can be overwhelming when you’re doing your CommonApp application and the questions are never-ending, but once you finally submit your application, it can be exciting!” She informed us on what she has helped students with so far this year. “At the beginning of the year, students came to be about creating their Common App account, writing their essays, and brainstorming about what colleges they were interested in. Now, this time of year I’m usually helping with the FSA ID’s, FAFSA, and financial aid.” Not only can she help with the college process, but she can also assist those looking to “explore military programs, and build resumes.” Miss Reagan is located in guidance and is there to help you prepare for life after high school. Schedule an appointment with her using the QR code found outside of the guidance office!
Miss Kayla Torpey, school psychologist, provides counseling services and helps evaluate and support students. She graduated from the University of New Haven with a major in criminal justice with a concentration in forensic psychology. She then went to Southern Connecticut State University for her master’s in School Psychology. She says the transition from high school to college can be challenging for some students “because of the newfound freedom students are faced with and also a decrease in support. They have to learn to advocate and seek out the help more on their own all while learning a new environment, meeting new people, and adjusting to living away from home if they room at school.” Her advice? Start preparing now! It gets easier when you learn to advocate for your needs and break out of your shell while in high school. Use the resources we have such as our college transition coordinator Ms. Reagan who is located in Guidance. Also, go on tours, talk to your friends who are at colleges around the state and country, and take advantage of every opportunity to see what college life will be like.”
We hung posters around the school so students could freely write their feelings about college. Shayla Batson, Danny Palma, and McKenna Doebrick have sent their applications and are waiting for decisions. Isabella Katynski is waiting to hear back from her early decision application as well. Some students say they’re stressed, while others say they’re not attending. One student even said, “Scared, but I know it will end well,” which is the perfect mindset to go into this new era of life with.
