As we approach the end of this school year, the class of 2024 approaches their final weeks of high school. Though this year might have felt long to many people, for the seniors, it’s only felt like minutes. Just a few years ago, they were freshmen new to high school and years away from thinking about college. Now, they’re adults ready to make their mark on the world. Before they embark on a new journey in life, many of the seniors were kind enough to share their advice for younger students at CCD. From advice on everything from social situations, to extracurriculars, to college applications, continue reading to see what these young adults have learned throughout their high school career.
Andrew Zimmerman was the first to share with me his advice for incoming freshmen. He said, “Don’t be afraid to talk to people outside of your friend group, or even outside of your grade level. If I had only talked to people in my grade, I would not have made as many connections or friendships.” He then went on to let me know how this piece of advice is important even beyond high school. “High school is really your first immersion into life with many different ages. Although it can be hard at first, being able to connect with people outside of your comfort zone is not only important to having a good high school experience, but it is central to life in college and beyond that.” He ends by directly advising underclassmen to immerse themselves in many different friend groups, as it can expand your horizons and make high school more enjoyable.
Similarly, Megan Zimmerman shared another way that underclassmen can get out of their comfort zone and meet new people. “I wish I had gotten involved in school activities and clubs earlier,” she said. “Being part of a club or group for a long time creates strong bonds and connections with the faculty and the students that are also a part of that group. Being a part of something you are passionate about and seeing your growth through high school is very
rewarding and it can allow you to learn more about yourself. Plus, it looks good on your college applications to be a part of clubs at school.” She told me that she has enjoyed being involved in clubs, although she wished that she got involved earlier. “I wish I went out of my comfort zone and tried out a new club earlier in high school. To the younger grades: Get involved, even if it’s something you’re scared to do!”
When I asked Davis Campbell what he wish he knew as an eight grader, he had some practical and helpful answers. “I’d for sure wish I knew that not all teachers accept late work,” he said. “That would’ve saved some assignments.” He went on to say, “another thing I wish I knew was to go to more sporting events. Most seasons are done before you know it, so get to as many games as you can.” It’s valuable tips and tricks like these that make the seniors good resources for younger students to go to when they have questions or need advice.
For many underclassmen, college applications seem like one of the biggest worries in high school. From what looks good on it, to how much work it is, to how stressful they really are, there are many things to wonder about. I spoke to senior Will Schiff to get his view of them, having gone through the application process himself. “When it comes to college applications, they seem a little scary, but they really aren’t too bad,” he said. “It’s 3-4 essays due across a few months, no different than some English classes. There are also some simple forms to fill out. If you’re going to submit a portfolio somewhere, work with Mrs. Lichty-Smith, Ms. Brand, and Mrs. Verticchio. They were incredibly helpful in putting mine together to show my evolution as an artist. Overall, don’t be scared of applications. It’s easier than you might expect.” Feel free to reach out to Will with any questions you may have about the application process, especially regarding art portfolios.
Shay Kinebrew let me know of some advice about academics that she wished she had received when she was an underclassman at CCD. “I wish I knew all the courses I was able to
take ahead of time, so that I could plan out what I wanted to do for the next four years. Also, if you realize that a class you are taking is not for you, it is okay to change classes. It’s good to acknowledge what you can and cannot handle so that you are not too overwhelmed. These are the years when you should be having fun with your friends as well.” She also shared with me her favorite part about Country Day. “My favorite thing about Country Day is that there are lots of options for sports, clubs, programs, and classes. If there is a club or organization that we do not have, you have the opportunity to discuss with the faculty and try to make it happen.” She said that she wished she knew to better appreciate the resources that CCD provides.
On a similar note, Elizabeth Zimmerman told me that she suggests people use the resource of CCD’s amazing teachers as much as possible. “Some advice I would give to younger students is to talk to your teachers as much as possible. They are all there from anything like helping you with homework, to life advice, or just a friendly chat. They all want their students to succeed and will make personal connections with you to help you thrive.” She told me that “the best part about going to a small school like CCD is that the teachers know you super well, so it makes you feel comfortable and known. This makes classes, homework, and school so much easier and more fun.” Elizabeth ends by telling me that she advises younger students to enjoy every moment they get with their teachers. “They truly make this school such a great place!”
I asked Alex Riemann about his favorite parts of CCD, and he told me he had a hard time putting everything into just a few points, though he was gracious enough to do so for the point of this article. The first thing Alex mentioned was a point similar to Elizabeth’s. “Some of my favorite things about Country Day are the teachers. Anyone that has had the privilege of having a class with Mr. Black, for example, knows that he’s much more than a teacher. These people go far beyond just getting you through course material. They can make you fall in love with a subject, see the big picture of things, and truly understand what they’re teaching you and why it
matters. Beyond that, they can be really cool and interesting people to know personally. Enjoy your time with your teachers.” Secondly, Alex mentioned that Cookie Wednesday is another one of his favorite parts of CCD. “It’s delicious. Never take it for granted. EVER!” Lastly, he shared his appreciation for the diverse student body. “Country Day might be a small school with a small class size located right in the middle of “flyover country,” but you’d be surprised how many different students there are from all corners of the world. You see this any time you walk the hallways of the school, or when you see all the different flags hung over the cafeteria.” He then elaborated on why this is so important. “All these different people bring different characteristics and ideas to the table. You can absolutely find your crowd here, and in some cases, make friendships that last far beyond CCD. In my experience, there are just so many interesting people to meet and such little time.”
Rana Arebi seemed to second the fact that high school doesn’t last as long as some people think it does. “Graduation is getting here faster than I was ready for,” she said. “The time leading up to it has been incredible.” Her advice to younger students? “Make sure you spend your time how you want to. Don’t base anything off of what other people say you should do.” She said that “high school is one of the most important and influential times in your life.” Rana added, “work hard in school and challenge yourself with the classes you take, but make sure to have fun whenever the opportunity presents itself.”
I asked Ray Mitchell how she felt, knowing that she would be graduating in just a short time. She said, “it feels exhilarating and insane to be graduating in a month. I will miss so much about being in high school, mainly the relationships that I’ve built along the way. Even so, I’m very excited to take this next step in my life.” She then shared her advice for underclassmen: “Really soak it all in and enjoy every moment because sooner rather than later, you’ll be graduating too. That being said, don’t let that time frame scare you away from doing something
amazing. If you hold yourself back now, you’ll never know how incredible you truly are.” She ends with the powerful line, “take the risk, make the mistakes, and always put your best foot forward.”
Finally, student body president Parker Corbin told me something that he wished he could’ve known earlier in high school. “One thing I wish I knew earlier in high school was how fast it all goes by,” he began. “It feels like yesterday I was sitting behind a plexiglass screen during my COVID stricken freshman year. I want to encourage everyone to soak it all in. Don’t let the highs be too high and the lows be too low. Do not be panicked by the stress of college applications, but instead, take it all in and enjoy it. High school is truly the best four years of your life, and you only get to do it once. Cherish every moment spent with friends and peers because it will all be over in the blink of an eye.”
Each member of the senior class has a powerful and valuable opinion of high school and they all have advice that is important for younger students to hear. From their advice on socializing outside of your grade level, to their reassurance about college applications, to their encouragement to be more involved with clubs at CCD, the seniors are willing to guide the underclassmen through high school and answer any questions they may have. I encourage you to speak with the class of 2024 in the weeks that they have left at Country Day and hear what they have to say. Clearly, time flies in high school, and soon enough, you too will be the big kids, the leaders of the school, giving everyone else advice. To the senior class: Thank you all for everything you have done in contributing to making Cincinnati Country Day School an even better place to be.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
– Matthew Broderick, Ferris Buller’s Day Off (1986)