5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Day Student

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Written by Paige Noyes ’22

As a current day student here at New Hampton School, I remember well how intimidated I was to start my first year at a new school. And, a boarding school at that! What should I bring? Is there something I’m missing? What will a typical day look like? Now, entering my senior year, I am here to impart some wisdom that will give you a better idea of how to prepare for day student life at Husky Nation.

Apple Pencils

Every student at New Hampton School is issued an iPad upon arrival. And, as an Apple Distinguished School, most class lessons and assignments incorporate the technology in some way. The Apple pencils, although expensive, are a helpful tool for taking and storing notes as well as annotating textbooks and reading assignments. Because the iPad is so utilized in all classes, the apple pencil has really helped me find success in my classes and I think it is definitely worth the investment.

Go Analogue

Although teachers are always trying to use technology in the classroom, it isn’t a bad idea to pack a folder and a five-subject notebook in your backpack. While many of our assignments will be done on your iPad, you may need to print out essays or take home other graded work. The folder will help keep you stay organized prevent your work from ending up crumpled at the bottom of your backpack. I like to keep a notebook on hand just in case my apple pencil is not charged or I accidentally forget my iPad at home. Though you would like to think this will never happen, there may come a day when you forget and unlike the boarding students, you are not able to run home and get it.

Stock Your Locker

With all of the activities available to students, days on campus can be long. It is important to equip your locker with all sorts of necessities, so you are prepared to stay on campus after classes for athletic practice, music, or whichever after-school activities you are involved in. Some things to keep in your locker are:

  • Your favorite snacks
  • Shower caddy and towel in case you want to wash off before dress dinner or any other circumstance
  • A change of comfortable clothes
  • A blanket so you can keep warm during any of the sports games or Powder Keg
  • A water bottle
  • Any other products you might need on a day-to-day basis such as an inhaler, Advil, etc.

Charger, Charger, Charger!

We all hope our iPad will stay charged throughout the entire day, but with five to six classes, which are each seventy minutes long, your tech will occasionally need some extra juice. Always bring a portable charger or a charging block and cord so you can plug-in during class, a free block or at lunch.

 

Paige Noyes ’22 [left] at her first Powder Keg during freshmen year!

Dive in Head First!

Lastly, be as involved as possible! As a day student, you need to put yourself out there. Since we don’t live on campus it is important to go to all the sporting events, plays, musicals, concerts, and extraordinary events like Powder Keg and Winter Carnival. Your experience will be the best if you are just as integrated into campus life as the boarding students who live here. Go to breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the cafeteria; run for student leadership positions or volunteer to be a tour guide or a husky ambassador. These clubs will help you meet more people and that way you will see more familiar faces around campus and once again integrate yourself into campus life. I hope this helps! I can’t wait to see all of you this fall!

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  1. Image for Marina Muser
    Marina Muser

    Sitting here in Austria, Europe, as an "old" aunt (and husky fan) many years out of school, I wish I would have had such nice young ladies around me when I was at highschool! And all the useful information and offered help! All the best for the upcoming season!

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