Graduates from Islip High School recently returned to their alma mater to share their college experiences with this year’s senior and freshmen classes. The College Life and College Prep programs are annual events organized by the school’s guidance department and invite recent graduates back to participate in small-group discussions pertaining to their life after high school, as well as the preparations leading up to high school graduation.

A question-answer session among the students focused on pressing issues facing college freshmen. Topics discussed included if the graduate was attending their first-choice school, what didn’t your college tell you on your campus tour that you wished they did, the variety of clubs and activities available on the campuses, roommate issues, dorm life, time management, and safety on campus.

“It is important that the junior and freshmen hear this information and advice directly from their peers,” stated Marisela Garmendia, Director of School Counseling. “They often believe them much easier than they believe most adults.”
The panelists included graduates from the Class of 2008: Margaret Cassin (Bucknell University), Allison Coelho (UMASS Amherst), Nicholas Cooley (Seton Hall University), Mariakristina Eccleston (St. Joseph’s University), Amy Gordon (York College), Kaitlyn Griffin (Fashion Institute of Technology), Emily Kuhn (Indiana University), Caitlin Lauer (Millersville University), Katelyn Masone (Stevens Institute of Technology), Brittany Nicholich (University of Delaware), and Matt Rogers (New York University).