With this year’s seniors ready to move on to some of the top colleges and universities, faculty offer words of wisdom and advice to the students attending their alma maters.

Blake Dorfman

Q: What are some fond memories?

A: I was a sports writer for the Daily Trojan; I just feel like it launched me into my first career and the opportunities at USC to cover big time sports were just amazing. Also, the social aspect—since I’m kind of a school spirit guy—so, you know, that’s easy to come across at a place like SC.

Q: What traditions did you enjoy? 

A: It’s cliche, but the football games. I think the pageantry for me was really great.

Claire Tolles

Q: What are you looking forward to in college?

A: I’m so exited for all of it—it’s where my sister goes, I don’t have any GEs, I’m studying game art which is so fun so I’m excited for life (and the food).

Q: What are you nervous for?

A: Finances I think, for the most part. I’m very nervous about buying food and budgeting myself and living sort of alone. 

Boston College

Melissa Alkire

Q: What are some fond memories?

A: My time at BC was some of the happiest years of my life. I met of my best friends there. It’s such a close-knit community—a large school but it’s not so big that you get lost.

Q: Do you remember BC traditions?

A: We had a tradition where everyone wears these ugly yellow-blue shirts given at orientation. Every grade has a quote on the back, so though you look the same in the crowd, you can tell who’s a senior, junior, is by the quote and you just keep it until you’re a senior. 

Maura Jaye

Q: Why did you choose BC?

A: The size was just right as I would get small class sizes, but also be able to enjoy the perks of great sports and school spirit. I also fell in love with the campus when I visited. 

Q: What traditions are you looking forward to?

A: I’m very excited for BC’s annual Beanpot tournament in which Boston schools play against each other.

University of Michigan

Valerie Yoshimura

Q: What are some fond memories?

A: Ann Arbor is a great little community to be apart of and football Saturdays are what it is all about. You couldn’t get any work done because you went to the game all day.

Q: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman at UMich? 

A: There’s so many opportunities and so many resources—you simply need to decide what piques your curiosity, and I can guarantee that there’s someone on campus who can help pique that interest. 

Ben Rodgers

Q: What are you looking forward to in college?

A: I’m excited for the football games—it’s something we don’t really get here, that big school spirit. 

Q: Why did you choose U Mich?

A: For me it was the perfect blend of academics and fun—it’s a good university, there are a lot of opportunities. I’m majoring in bio so there are research opportunities, but it’s also a fun school.