There are many benefits to being a boarding student. While building a relationship with your roommate, you have the chance to best connect with faculty, house parents, and advisors. We know that the transition to boarding school can be daunting, so we interviewed Annie ’23 and Alex ’23 as well as veteran house parent Michelle Cote to help you better understand the advantages of boarding.
Meet Annie ’23 and Alex ’23
Annie and Alex have been roommates since they came to campus Freshman year. Alex traveled across the country from Los Angelos and Annie is from Cape Cod. Annie plays on the Women’s Varsity Softball Team, and Alex is a member of the Women’s Varsity Lacrosse Team. Both girls love any weekend activity that involves a Starbucks run or the chance to hang out with a cute faculty puppy. The best part about Annie and Alex as roommates? They are second-generation roommates as their dad’s, classes of ’89 and ’90, were roommates too!
What is your advice for freshmen boarding students?
Our advice would be to put yourself out there! Even when it’s the last thing you want to do, just jump into it. Annie and I were both very nervous coming to school. Other than knowing each other through our dad’s, we knew no one. The quicker you reach out and get to know other new students, the easier the transition will be. What’s nice is that you always have your roommate there for support especially at the beginning of the year.
What is the #1 dorm essential?
Annie and I definitely agree that the #1 dorm essential is room decor! We recommend some fun pillows for your bed and a mix of pictures and posters for the walls. Adding your personal touches to your room makes it really feel like your own space. Being away from home can be difficult, but making a space that’s comfortable for you to be in is something that we have found so helpful.
What is your relationship like with your house parents?
We have grown very close with all our house parents. We can always go to them with anything we need. They are there to help with homework questions during study hall and any other questions you may have. They are always there to help you navigate a situation and we really do feel comfortable talking to them about anything. Also, we have a lot of fun with them too!
How would you describe the culture in the house?
Honestly, we are also very close with everyone in our house. Rice House is not a huge house, so we feel connected with a lot of people. Everyone is so welcoming and it’s always nice to see a familiar face in the halls and outside the house. I think we have a lot of fun as a house but also are never afraid to respectfully address problems when they come up.
Meet Michelle Cote
Michelle has been a beloved New Hampton School community member and one of our most energetic house parents for the past 10 years. As the Senior Associate Admission Director, Michelle has seen first-hand how house teams help new students transition to life as a boarding school student. In addition to working in the Admission Office, Michelle is a member of the Care Team and is the parent of the famous faculty dog, Timber!
What is your role as a house parent?
My role as a house parent is to be an active member in the lives of the students within my house, but also across campus. When I am on house duty, I try to create a supportive, welcoming environment where students can come to me with any questions they may have. As a house parent, I’m like your cool New Hampton aunt.
What is the benefit of New Hampton’s Dorm Teams?
Having a consistent group of house parents is so beneficial. You will have the same group of house parents for the whole year so not only is their variety, but also consistency. By having multiple house parents, you will have the chance to connect with various faculty but also build strong bonds. Out of all your house parents, you will be very close to at least one, if not many.
How would you describe the culture in the house?
Every house has its own personality. The group of students that come together at the beginning of the year really build the culture. Through group activities in those first few weeks, you see students come together. Our community is very inclusive and I think that is very obvious when you are living in one of our houses.
What is your favorite thing about being a House Parent?
The conversations that tend to happen at lights out. When a kid should be going to bed, but then we end up talking about a really cool part of their life. It is really special closely we get to know students in our house. Over the course of the year, we get to see students grow and challenge themselves while also learning so much about their interests, their families, and where they’re from.
Have more questions about residential life at New Hampton School? Read more online and reach out to the Admission team!
