Ten Boothbay Region High School alumni returned for another panel on college life and learning Jan. 9. College Access Coordinator Hannah Johnson and Guidance Counselor Janet Sprague introduced the panel to an auditorium full of sophomores, juniors and seniors.

With three exceptions, the alumni were all from the class of 2018:

Emily Amaral, University of Maine Orono, bachelor's degree in kineseology with a concentration in exercise science and a minor in pre-med; Kyle Ames, University of Maine Orono, master's degree in business; Jacob Bishopp, Class of 2017, University of Maine Farmington, bachelor's degree in geology; Cameron Crocker, University of New England, bachelor's degree in physical therapy; Tyler Field, Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, bachelor's degree in animation; Nick Labonte, Class of 2017, Washington County Community College, residential and commercial electricity; Kayla Lewis, Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts, bachelor's degree in animal science with a minor in animal behavior; Draco Peaslee, Class of 2017, University of Maine Farmington, bachelor's degree in psychology; JoAnna Shaw, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York, bachelor's degree in geology and biology; and Lillian Sherburne, Simmons University in Boston, bachelor's degree in political science and master's degree in public policy.

The visitors engaged in a long session of question-and-answer. BRHS students gleaned much useful information, advice and wisdom. Labonte, who now works for a local electrician, said his one-year certificate program at WCCC was worth the time and that loans should be nothing to stop a vocational or technical interest. The community college experience differs significantly from the traditional college experience because classes are usually much smaller and far more diverse in age and background, said Labonte. In his case, a class of 15 students had people in their 20s and 30s and one man in his 40s.

Field said since his freshman year in high school, Mount Ida College was his dream school, but what began as an awesome experience – finding out he was accepted, making his deposit and sorting out his scholarships and financial aid – took a turn for the surreal.

“So, I was accepted, I had my deposit down and they decided to go bankrupt on me.”

In fact, Field was so college ready for Mount Ida, all he was waiting for was move-in day.

“I found out on Facebook,” said Field adding that at no point were any students or faculty given notice as the college announced its closure over social media in mid-May 2018. “They gave us the option of going to UMass (Amherst) and it was chaos. I decided not to go that route because I wanted something that would benefit me.”

Field said Lesley University ended up providing a better opportunity than he could have hoped for.

Sherburne also had her sights set on a different school, but was not accepted. However, with the advanced program she found at Simmons University, she will be able to graduate with her master's in Public Policy in four years.

“Thanks to my dad, we did some digging and found a school that offered me a better opportunity that I wouldn't have found if I had gone to my dream school … The world will not stop spinning if you don't get into your top school. You're going to be fine.”

Shaw, who plays field hockey for Hobart and William Smith, said she was only homesick for a day after her parents left her in upstate New York. Being far away from home had its benefits because she was not spending her weeks planning trips home on the weekend like so many first year students do studying close to home. She also said she is completely comfortable coming home only three times a year.

“Once my parents left and I was really all alone, I stopped overthinking it and I was perfectly fine,” Shaw said.

Bishopp, now a sophomore at UMF, said being a “mega-nerd” Geology major was not as marginalizing as most would think. He found the Geology Club shortly after meeting several classmates with the same interests. Through the club, he and his peers have been to quarries and popular geological sites all over Maine.

“I'm going to Ireland in May (with the club), so join clubs when you get a chance.”

Peaslee, also a sophomore at UMF, agreed that clubs can be an important part of the college experience. During his first year he traveled to England with the rugby club, and now he is in an acapella group.

“… Once you get to college and get settled in, just put yourself out there because you'll meet people you'd never expect to and opportunities come that you would never dream of,” Peaslee said.

Crocker, who plays football at UNE, said balancing work and sports is not a problem since away games, which often bring his team out of state, still ensure eight hours of study hall every day which is overseen by coaches.

“We can't miss any classes or else we get punished or have to run,” said Crocker. “They're really good about making us do it, so it was easy.”

Asked to consider the “if you could talk to your past self” scenario, the consensus was to pay more attention in high school and not hold oneself to unreasonable expectations. Lewis, who cheers for Wheaton College, said she would have paid attention to the sciences because excelling in required courses in college has been difficult for her.

“I didn't think I was going to pass and that's something you really, really need to pay attention to … Ask a lot of questions.'”

Amaral said she would suggest taking advantage of workshops, tutoring, help from teaching assistants and all the opportunities college provides because, after all, “you’re paying good money for it.”

“It's okay to not know what you want to do when you go to college,” Amaral added. “You have so many areas you can explore and you can go into something that you didn't even think you would be interested in.”

This article has been updated from its original posting.