Stacey Kaliabakos ‘23

Features Editor

Stacey: What academic advice do you have for the Class of 2024?

Kendall: This semester, regardless if you’re on campus or not, is a time for you to figure out who you are as a student. Don’t stress if your grades are not up to your usual standards, you are going through a huge transition in your life. Instead, focus on nailing your study strategies and deciding what helps you learn, because professors will ask you that often. If you feel like you need help, don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors. They seriously want to help you, and it helps build a good relationship between you and your professor. 

Stacey: How should freshmen go about forging relationships with their fellow classmates in the age of Zoom?

Braedan: You know, I’m trying to figure this out myself. My sister is a freshman at Lafayette and is doing all sorts of orientation and class-year functions. I think you have to be comfortable reaching out for small study sessions or Zoom calls, phone numbers, and Snapchat names.

Stacey: What can the Class of 2024 most look forward to upon coming to campus in person?

Kendall: The thing I am most excited about when returning to campus is the station in Kimball that I lovingly call “the egg line”. You wait in line and once you get to the front you tell the cook how you want your eggs cooked. Then, you wait until they call your order out and they place it on your plate. Without the egg line, I probably would not have eaten breakfast at school. This place in Kimball is the perfect way to start my day with some quality breakfast. 

Braedan: The sense of community. It might be odd post-COVID or perhaps it’ll take some time for one to find their way throughout developing their community. It took me more than a semester to really find a home on Mt. St. James, but it will come.

Stacey: If you were to show a Freshman any place on campus, where would you take them?

Braedan: I’ve got a couple places on campus that I love. For me, Stein is one of two homes. I’ll refrain from sharing the room in which I typically sit, so that it’s not overpopulated, but it’s nothing special. I’ve just spent a lot of time and have taken a lot of good classes in those rooms. The other one is Fenwick 4. The Fitzgerald Classics Library is outstanding, the Seminar room in 420 is immaculate. Fenwick 4 is where I built much of my community and my life at HC.

Kendall: I would take any freshman to Campion House. Walking into Campion feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket. Everyone is so friendly, it truly feels like home, and they have fresh cookies made daily! Campion is basically my second home on campus; I go to Pax Christi meetings every Thursday night (everyone should join Pax), I take study breaks to walk over and grab a cookie, and I do homework at the kitchen table on some evenings. Campion House is one of the many things that makes the Holy Cross campus so special. 

As you can see, Class of 2024, there is so much to look forward to. Even though it must be unbelievably difficult to begin this new chapter of your life from a distance, the Holy Cross community has your back. Never be afraid to get involved, and take advantage of what is at your disposal. We’ll all get through this together.