Volume: 5 Issue: 30

It has been said that this is the first generation of children to be raised by their peers, that the voices of our children’s friends, online or in person, are far more frequent and influential than the voices of the adults around them. This is worrisome, but there are times when the advice and experiences of one’s peers are relevant and beneficial. Yesterday, at the invitation of our School Counselor Aynsley Sasaki, graduates of the Class of 2014 came to the School to speak with this year’s Class of 2015. It was a glorious reunion. Hugs and smiles and laughter greeted everyone, including Nicco Castro who Skyped in for the occasion (minus the hugs of course).

 

The graduates formed a panel and for an hour they answered questions about their experiences at university, at work, and at home since leaving the School last June. S

ome of the lessons were simple but smart. Living in residence this year was hard but they learned, as Erin McMillan eloquently put, “not to be afraid to tell other people to shut up so you can study. It makes life better for everyone, and you won’t get in trouble.”

 

Some loved their programmes of study, but many were switching focus. Some loved living with their parents, others were finding life at home difficult. Some liked living in a quiet university residence, others liked the dormitories with, as Phil Smith described, “the most extra-curricular activities.” What was most impressive was that regardless of the choices each graduate had made or were making, be it to work or to study or to join the Army Reserves, there was a sense of universal acceptance and positive regard. No one was judging anybody else’s choices. They understood that life after high school is a search for one’s path. It is a journey of self-discovery. Challenging, exciting, boring at times, perhaps lonely, full of false starts and sudden revelations, the journey itself is much more tangible than the destination.

The Class of 2014 may or may not have been raised by their peers, but it was clear that they have been supported by their peers. For the Class of 2015 this may have been the best lesson of the afternoon.

 

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