By Shaliyah Howell ’25
Derby High School students recently took a campus tour of Southern Connecticut University to learn what a day in the life of a college student is like. They walked around campus, sat in on presentations, and learned a lot about the university. The tour allowed them to see what college classes, dorms, and student life are really all about. For many, it was an exciting opportunity to start thinking about their future after high school.
Assistant Director of Admissions Elisabeth Gentile says, “It’s so rewarding to guide students through the application process and newly admitted students through the enrollment steps. I love that students get to experience a campus visit. I greatly enjoy going to the high schools, but it’s so rewarding for the students to visit Southern. It is a great opportunity for students to get exposed to college life and how being a college student can differ from being a high school student.” During the tour, students got to see firsthand what life at Southern is really like. From walking through campus to learning about different programs, the visit helped them picture themselves as future college students.
During our visit to Southern, we visited the dorm halls, and while they looked a bit out of date and were hot, they were surprisingly very big and spacious with tall ceilings! Way bigger than any other dorm hall I’ve ever seen. It was interesting to see how many people live on campus; a whopping 8,800 students live there. After exploring the dorms, we went to the School of Business, which is a new building, and the College of Arts and Sciences. What stood out the most was the architecture in each of those two buildings.
Faith Gallishaw ‘25 said, “The college tour was lovely, the campus is big and has so many places, whether it’s studying places, food spots, or even places to hang out. I like that each building is close to the others and within walking distance, so that students don’t have to go too far. I also liked how they gave background information about each building instead of just pointing it out. They took their time to explain everything.” Walking through these buildings gave us a glimpse of what college life will be for us and anybody who’s going to Southern or wants to participate in clubs or any type of program available. Another highlight of the tour was the food, which looked phenomenal. The variety of options students have is amazing, and it’s not what you would expect at high school. Khalil Francis ‘25 commented, “I liked the overall vibe of the school, the people seem friendly, especially Elizabeth, the assistant admissions director. Very understanding and friendly. It impacted my decision to join Southern because it’s not far away from home, the dorms are nice, a very welcoming environment, and a lot of benefits. I enjoyed looking at the fish tank!”
Another thing that stood out about Southern is its diversity. Everywhere we went, we saw people from all different backgrounds, creating and welcoming an inclusive environment. It was also very clear that the professors and many staff members there genuinely care about the students, offering support and guidance to help all students succeed. Another great thing about Southern is the number of study spaces available. Whether you like quiet spaces or you want to enjoy a good conversation with your friends, Southern seems to have it all. Overall, Southern Connecticut State University had a super energetic and positive atmosphere and vibe, making it a great place for students to feel supported, included, and given the opportunities they need to succeed.
The Raider Press 