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Volunteer Spotlight: Kelly Connors ’20 and Liza Goodman ’21

Name and Volunteer Position: Kelly Connors, Outreach

Class Year: 2020

Major: Political Science

Hometown: Leominster, MA

What was something that stood out to you about Holy Cross?

The sense of community and the welcoming atmosphere!

What was most nerve-racking about the admissions process, and how was this resolved?

The most nerve-racking thing about the admissions process was making sure that everything was sent in on time. What I didn’t know was that I could submit things one at a time at Holy Cross.

What was something you looked forward to experiencing at Holy Cross?

I looked forward to experiencing taking a wide variety of class since it is a liberal arts institution.

What was most worrisome about transitioning to college, and how was this remedied?

I was most worried to move away from home but as soon as I got to campus I felt so welcomed and Mount St James quickly became my home away from home.

What do you love most about interacting with prospective students/families?

Hearing everyone’s story is the thing I love most about prospective students. We all have a reason to why or how we got to Holy Cross and hearing everyone’s different stories is a great way to interact with them.

What types of things do you enjoy talking about with prospective students/families?

I enjoy talking about the Jesuit, liberal arts aspect of the college. It really helps the students see what Holy Cross is all about.

What do you find prospective students are most concerned about and what advice would you give them about it?

Most prospective students are afraid to leave home. I try to explain to them how Holy Cross becomes like home and most feel very comfortable here and that makes it so much easier to leave home.

Why did you join the outreach program?

I joined the outreach program to be able to show how much I love HC to other people and hope to get them to love it as well.

Do you meet a lot of alumni during your greeting session(s)? If so, what is your favorite aspect about meeting/talk with them?

I do meet a lot of alumni and they always say how this building wasn’t here or that was just being built when I graduated. It is interesting to see how much the college has expanded and grown since they graduated.

What makes HC special for you?

HC is special because it is my home away from home. I feel so comfortable here and I absolutely love the friends I’ve made here in and outside of the classroom.

What is your favorite thing about HC?

My favorite thing about HC besides the grilled cheese in lower Kimball is the sense of community that we have here on campus.

Once you graduate, what will you miss most about HC?

I will miss 7pm mass on Sunday nights with my best friends the most when I graduate.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give to prospective students?

The college process is very stressful but in the end, you will end up where you need to be…and hopefully that is HC!!! 🙂

What is the most exciting event you’ve attended this year?

The most exciting event I’ve attended this year is the Outdoor Edge. This occurs right when we get back to school in August and it is a time when you finally get to catch up with your friends that you haven’t seen all summer. Everyone gathers on Kimball Quad with music and dancing. It is the BEST way to kick off the new school year.

Name and Volunteer Position: Liza Goodman, Outreach

Class Year: 2021

Major: English and Theater

Hometown: Manchester, NH

What was something that stood out to you about Holy Cross?

I always loved the sense of community here. My parents are both alums so I have been coming to visit HC ever since I was little and I have always felt a big sense of community so when I moved in It already felt like home.

What was most nerve-racking about the admissions process, and how was this resolved?

I was mostly nervous about my standardized test scores, but HC is test optional and I was able to decide whether or not I wanted to send in my scores.

What was something you looked forward to experiencing at Holy Cross?

I looked forward to experiencing the Theatre Community here at HC and I was able to be apart of the Fall Mainstage show “Fuente Ovejuna” and it was the most rewarding experience at HC this far.

What was most worrisome about transitioning to college, and how was this remedied?

I was worried about being incredibly homesick but luckily as mentioned before I was able to feel right at home with this wonderful community and I met so many people in my first few weeks that I am able to call my friends.

What do you love most about interacting with prospective students/families?

I love answering their questions and being able to get to know new people who will hopefully be future crusaders within the next year!

What types of things do you enjoy talking about with prospective students/families?

I love talking about all the amazing opportunities that HC has to offer through both academics and extra curricular.

What do you find prospective students are most concerned about and what advice would you give them about it?

I find that they are most concerned about deciding what you want to major in and I tell them that the liberal arts education gives everyone time to explore different interests and they have time to decide what the want to major in and to always major in something that you love.

Why did you join the outreach program?

I vividly remember my greeters when I first toured here and I wanted to repay the favor because he gave me such a good impression of the school when I talked with him.

Do you meet a lot of alumni during your greeting session(s)? If so, what is your favorite aspect about meeting/talk with them?

I have met some alumni but not many and I love talking to them about how much we all love HC and hearing their memories but I also enjoy meeting new families and sharing all the memories I have created here at HC and how much fun I have been having at school!

What makes HC special for you?

I love HC because My parents were alums so I love having a deeper connection with them by being at this school

What is your favorite thing about HC?

My favorite thing is the people in the theatre department here. I have made so many good friends in such a short amount of time and I am so grateful to all them for creating such a friendly space.

Once you graduate, what will you miss most about HC?

I will definitely miss HC but I have just started here so I haven’t been thinking about what I will miss when I graduate. I am just so many

What is one piece of advice you would like to give to prospective students?

Trust yourself and be confident! It’s a long and stressful process but everything will turn out ok and just trust the process.

What is the most exciting event you’ve attended this year?

I would say the most exciting event for me was being in the fall production of Fuente Ovejuna and it was rehearsal every night but I was so grateful to be a part of it and it was an amazing experience.
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Finals

Hi! My name is Gabby and I am one of the Social Media Interns in the Office of Admissions at the College of the Holy Cross. The study period for finals week ends today, so I wanted to write about finals at Holy Cross from a student’s perspective and provide tips for prospective students on how to survive (and thrive!) during finals week.

My first tip for finals week is to take detailed notes throughout the semester. Whether you’re taking a biology or a political science course, your notes will be one of your main studying resources when it comes time to prepare for finals week! If you miss class, ask a classmate if you can borrow their notes. In my experience, my notes have been crucial to being successful during when studying for exams.

 

Sleep. I know, this is certainly not easy when you have four exams to study for, but sleep is so important for being successful during finals week! Sleeping gives your brain a chance to rests and recharge, helping you remember more, feel better, and giving you the energy you need to crush your exams. Caffeine is helpful, but getting those 8 hours of shut-eye each night will make the difference.

 

Be active! Go for a walk around campus. Hit one of the on-campus gyms. Getting up and moving will make you feel so much healthier and less stressed during finals week, when students are sitting at their desks for long periods of time without moving around. Not to mention, exercise is known to have so many health benefits, from keeping you younger to helping your memory!

 

Go to office hours. Questions on a specific topic you learned in class? Want to know what your professor expects you to know for your exam? Want to vent? Head to your professors’ office hours. These are beneficial because they show your professor that you care about your performance in class, are driven to succeed, and are asking questions, which professors love.

 

Finals week is far from easy, but these tips can help you stay stress-free and focused. Use them and you’ll survive and thrive!
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Volunteers Spotlight: Julia Palmerino ’18 and Connor Durkin ’18

Name and Volunteer Position: Julia Palmerino, Senior Interviewer

Major: History and Music

Hometown: Sudbury, MA

What was something you looked forward to experiencing at Holy Cross?: I was excited to be a member of such a close-knit, passionate intellectual community.

What was most nerve-racking about the admissions process, and how was this resolved?: I was most nervous after I handed in my application and before I received my decision.  I spent those months making the most of my senior year, and also kept a close eye on admissions social media accounts so I would know the second that decisions would be released!

What was most worrisome about transitioning to college, and how was this remedied?: I was worried about living away from home, since I have lived in the same place my whole life.  I think getting involved and finding a community was very important for me in remedying that.  Follow your passions and you will find like-minded people!

What stands out to you the most in an applicant during their interview?: When applicants are really passionate about something, whether it is a class, an academic discipline, an activity, or something small, it is great to see people that care about something.  I want to know what makes you special!

What is something applicants shouldn’t do in an interview?: I get frustrated when it is clear that an applicant hasn’t even done basic research on the school.  Make sure you know simple information, and that your interests align with what Holy Cross offers in its curriculum.

What are you going to miss most about Holy Cross?: The campus!

What did you learn at Holy Cross that you will take with you into the world?: I think my time at Holy Cross has taught me the importance of context and perspective.  This is built into the liberal arts curriculum and the Jesuit ideals, but particularly as a history major I think I have discovered the importance of thinking critically and understanding different points of view on a given issue.  This broad approach to learning and thinking is something I will absolutely carry with me into the world.

What piece of advice would you like to share with prospective students?: Don’t be afraid to try new things, and soak up every opportunity Holy Cross gives you.

How do you feel you’ve grown over your time at Holy Cross?: I have always been very independent, but I think being a student here has solidified that for me.  From navigating roommate challenges, to studying abroad, to writing a thesis proposal, every aspect of my time here at Holy Cross has taught me how important it is to advocate for yourself and others.

What is your favorite thing about HC?: The professors.  They are consistently brilliant and wonderful people, and I have felt supported and challenged by each and every professor I have had in class.

What is the most exciting event you’ve attended this year?: Senior Ball! It was great to be with the whole senior class, especially since many of us were away last year.  It was a great way to kick off the celebration of our final year here!

 

Name and Volunteer Position: Connor Durkin, Tour Guide

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Merrimac, MA

What was something that stood out to you about Holy Cross?

The community. Everyone was so friendly! It’s like everyone knew each other.

What was most nerve-racking about the admissions process, and how was this resolved?

Probably getting ready for the interview process. But the senior interviewer was so nice, I had nothing to worry about once I stepped in their office!

What was something you looked forward to experiencing at Holy Cross?

I was really looking forward to working with the Psychology faculty, who helped me expand my thinking exponentially.

What was most worrisome about transitioning to college, and how was this remedied?

Finding a new group of friends. However, both Summer and Fall Orientation really helped me create new friendships. My best friend is someone I met during orientation!

The following questions are geared towards your experience as a current student.

What is your favorite thing about giving tours?

I really enjoy knowing that I am helping a prospective student make the extremely hard choice of choosing their next step in life.

What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

Probably Crossroads. For Pub Night, 10 Spot, the events held on the weekends, etc.

What do you like talking about most on campus tours?

SPUD and all the amazing opportunities that we are given in order to give back to the community.

What is the most common question you are asked on tours? What’s your response?

Probably, “Why did you choose Holy Cross?” My response? I feel like a valuable member of the community here. Holy Cross is a family in which I’m glad to be apart of.

Why did you want to be a tour guide?

I wanted to be able to help prospective students with their difficult choice of choosing their next step in life; choosing a college is big decision, and I want to help them out!

What have you learned from being a tour guide?

I’ve learned a lot about why I, personally, love Holy Cross. It’s given me an opportunity to reflect on my time here and share it with others.

What is your favorite thing about HC?

100% the community. The community aspect of Holy Cross is amazing, which definitely makes it stand out from other schools.

Once you graduate, what will you miss most about HC?

Seeing my best friends everyday.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give to prospective students?

Choosing a college is a big decision, one that shouldn’t be made lightly. Before you choose a school, make sure you love it! That love will only grow once you start your first semester until you graduate your senior year.