Alumni Days: CBI Tradition Bridges Knowledge Between Generations

Image above: Alumni returned to the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology to share advice with students about the transition from high school to college.

Whether they graduated from high school just last year or nearly a decade ago, hundreds of alumni returned to their high school alma maters to share college advice for Alumni Days. An annual tradition coordinated by the Directors of College Counseling (DCCs) at each of our CollegeBound Initiative (CBI) partner schools, Alumni Days invite alumni back during fall and winter breaks to connect with current students and answer their questions about college life.

Alumni and college counselor are seated on stage, with a filled auditorium of seated students — *Alumni Day at Juan Morel Campos School of the Arts included a session in Spanish for students who are English Language Learners*

Each school has its own distinctive college-going culture on full display, from school wide assemblies joining alumni panels in the auditorium, to small group discussions and conversation circles in individual classrooms. High school students asked about a range of experiences and concerns, from effective study tips and fun activities outside of class to navigating all-gender restrooms and dorm life. “How do you deal with homesickness?” and “How much does your family have to pay for college each year?” were a few of the questions that came up at each school.

College Advice from Recent Alumni

With a high level of freedom to set one’s own schedule and choose classes and professors, alumni from both traditional and community colleges named time management and communication as key aspects of successful transitions to college. Many also encouraged students to work closely with their DCCs to apply for financial aid and scholarships to make these experiences possible.

Alumni, teacher, and students are seated around a square table, with a screen behind them with title "Bronx Envision Academy Alumni Panel" — *Bronx Envision Academy alumni discuss the ups and downs of dorm life and commuting*

Look up your professors’ personal websites and watch their YouTube videos to get a sense of their teaching style.
Bronx Envision Academy alumnus attending Bard College

Alumni panel is seated on left by windows, with four long tables of students seated to the right — *The Heritage School’s DCC, Monica Duque on far left, guided panel discussions*

Three alumni sit in front of classroom, some wear college sweatshirts and one wears a hijab. — *TYWLS Brooklyn alumni visited different classrooms to meet the students*

I had to learn quickly how much time I need to study for final exams, and ask my supervisor to decrease my shifts for certain weeks of that month.
East-West School of International Studies alumna attending CUNY City Tech, on balancing a part-time job with college coursework

Ten alumni at front of classroom speak with group of seated students — *Over 40 alumni returned to East-West School of International Studies*

Alumni and high school teacher have lunch together in the library — *Alumni at East Side High School reconnect with former teachers*

We want to extend our gratitude to Student Leadership Network’s DCCs for coordinating the events, to the alumni who came back to share their time, and to the high school administrators and educators who partner with us to enhance the college-going culture for current and future generations. Thank you!

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