Thank you to Reggie for taking the time to answer the following questions about his start at Howard University and how WHSAD prepared him for the beginning of his college career.
1. What is college life at Howard University like?
It’s close to being an adult. Having to buy my own food and toiletries, and being responsible for everything that I’m involved in school-wise and socially has made it seem like I have my own apartment. Otherwise, D.C. is very slow paced compared to NYC. Even though I still have access to public transportation, I feel like NYC was more accessible to tour. Being from NYC and now having to use a D.C. Metrocard and its different prices for different stops made it slightly complicated when I’m used to only paying the 2.75 to get on. It makes me think of different ways to get from a-b which then I end up taking an Uber.
2. How has the transition from high school to college been for you?
It wasn’t as scary as I thought. It went smoothly since the day I moved in. I really didn’t have to worry about trying to find my own place socially because a friend group formed around me naturally. I worried about finding my place and my group, and I feel like socially I’m in a good place. I came into Howard knowing some students already going here; however, I didn’t want to be their shadow all year, so I worried that I might have not made any good friends that I could be with everyday. I found that group early on, and we learned how to support each other in our school work and also in our social life. School-wise classes are pretty easy. The classes I take give tedious and time consuming work that I have to keep track of.
3. What did you do in the months/weeks/days leading up to the start of the semester? How did your preparation assist you in transitioning?
I worked at an architecture firm, Davies Toews, the majority of the summer. Also, I stayed at my sister’s apartment, so it kind of gave me the semblance of living in a college dorm.
4. What did WHSAD provide that has helped you effectively begin your university education (please be as specific as you can)?
Having the 4 years of experience at WHSAD is making my freshman year a walk in the park. Most of the work I’m doing now I did freshman and sophomore years at WHSAD. Plus, a lot of information, like codes and zoning, I’ve already known about from going on trips that gave the same information about NYC zoning and code rules. For example, there was a trip I went on my junior year that went over the zoning regulations of North Brooklyn and all the councilmen and women on the board talked about the different zoning regulations needed for their communities. Also, being a senior last year and understanding some of the zoning rules on Friday with Doughnut Time with Dariel helped me understand why certain plans get sent back by hearing stories from Dariel’s job experience.
5. Are you involved in any organizations, clubs, etc. yet or are you still just focused on getting your footing in classes at the moment?
I’m at the moment trying to start a rugby club among the freshman. However, as an architecture student, I wanted to get my footing first before I join clubs that make me have to move around my homework schedule.
Anything you may want to add?
WHSAD gave me an experience that I didn’t know that was so valuable until I came to college. Being able to do college level work as a freshman in high school is amazing, and I hope all students at WHSAD who want to become architects pay attention to everything taught because it definitely helped me.