Where Are They Now? at Temple University with Nathalie!

I had the pleasure of photographing Nathalie since she was a young girl and was thrilled to eventually do her Senior photos as well at her family's Cape Cod home. 

Stephanie: Hi Nathalie! Thanks for sharing your story with the upcoming high school class of 2018. Let's start with what college did you decide on and what is your major?

Nathalie: This Fall I will be a sophmore at Temple University in Philadelphia with a major in Journalism, and a focus toward law school. Deciding on and finally choosing Temple was actually very difficult for me, but it offered everything I wanted: D1 sports, Big school spirit, lots of diversity, access to a city (1 mile from downtown Philly), a contained campus, an opportunity to dress up for class, a warmer climate than New England, and a convenient distance from home.

Stephanie: What surprised you or what do you wish you knew about Freshman year that no one could prepare you for?

Nathalie: I wish I had known before going into Freshman year to save up more money. It all adds up when you decide to go on a shopping spree with friends on the weekend, need to pay for Uber, eat out, or (another big one for me,) want to buy school gear at the bookstore for the next tailgate or didn't realize you would need that extra book your professor didn't put on the syllabus. So, work hard this summer, and save up your cash because you'll find a way to spend it some way or another over the course of the year!

Stephanie: When you first left home, were there special things you missed about High School?

Nathalie: I attended a private, boarding High School located right on the ocean, and there were some things that were really special about it that I missed once I moved to Philly. For example, my roommates and friends in the dorm used to get up early and go for sunrise swims, or walk into town some afternoons. I miss sailing, as I chose to give it up when I made my decision to go to Temple. Sometimes I miss the really personal relationships I had with my teachers, too. It was somewhat strange to think of high school happening without me when I first was adjusting to college. I had this special memory of my senior year in my head, but those experiences that made it so special have already happened, and those people that I associate high school with have already graduated, so, in a way your high school will never be the same as you remember it. Teachers that I loved left the same year, too. It makes you realize that everyone moves on at some point and it's a great memory, but you don't need to miss it.

Stephanie: What is the biggest difference between college vs High School?

Nathalie: One of the biggest differences for me is the independence!! Even though I went to a boarding school and was used to living on my own, we still had lots of rules. You run the show in college. You make your own choices. And, It's awesome! If you don't want to make your bed, you don't have to (although I always do, because it makes me feel like my room is neater than it is!) If you want to stay out late on a school night, you can (but, I don't recommend it if you have an 8 am.) Another big difference for me was the teaching style. I went from having 15 kids in a class, to going to lectures with 100 kids or more. I was nervous at first, but I actually really like the set up now. If you don't understand something though, (and even if you do understand!) I highly suggest going to office hours and getting to know your professors. It pays off to have them know YOU. I one time saw a teacher, whose class I adored, walking on campus. I said hi, and he looked puzzled said a quick hello back and kept walking. I didn't realize that I had never introduced myself to him or gone to his office hours, and even though I had class with him 3 times a week, he had no idea who I was. If your teacher knows you, they can vouch for you when you need a recommendation, think you got a grade you didn't deserve, or even mentor you in your next step in deciding your major !

Stephanie: What do you love most about college?

Nathalie: The thing I love most about college is that I am in college!! I've made friends that I know I will have for life. I am constantly meeting amazing people and professors that are intriguing and inspiring. I am making memories that I will think back on fondly for year and years to come. I'm taking classes that mean something to me and make me excited to go to class every day. I am getting to know a completely different place all on my own. Even the 10 straight hours I spent in the library with my friend the last week before finals actually ended up being one of our favorite memories (after all the work was handed in the next day, and we had our grades back!), and the best part is that I have three more years of college to look forward to. My friends and I were all so sad to say that 1/4 of our time at Temple is already over (as crazy as it sounds), so I'm just loving every minute of it, in all respects.

Stephanie: What is the most challenging aspects about college?

Nathalie: The thing I love least is not having my mother's amazing home-cooked meals! But, I am learning how to cook some of her dishes this summer, and will have a kitchen in my dorm this fall, so hopefully I will be able to recreate some of them while at school.

Stephanie: How have you changed since leaving home for college?

Nathalie: I like to think that I'm more mature, and I'm not sure if that's totally accurate, but I know that I am a lot more independent than I was in high school. And a lot more open-minded to all kinds of ideas, people, opinions, perspectives, and lifestyles.

Stephanie: Do you have a vision for the ideal job/career will be when you graduate?

Nathalie: Some days I imagine myself making a change in the world: fighting some huge corporation, leading some cause, solving a case from an angle that no one thought possible. And sometimes, I think my ideal career would be the editor-in-chief of Vogue or Glamour! For now, it's all up in the air. I just know that whatever I end up doing, it will be with lots of passion, determination, and my own "Nathalie" flare!

Stephanie: Any words of wisdom for the High School Class of 2018 and beyond? :)

Nathalie: It was difficult for me to leave my friends from high school and have to "re-explain" myself to what seemed like random strangers. Also, because I am going to a state college, there are a lot of kids that have lots of things in common (same high school, same town, same city, same area), so I felt like I couldn't match with a lot of people. But, don't worry about making friends - I met one of my best friends during a fire drill the first week of school. It all works itself out. Just be yourself, put yourself out there and you'll get so much out of your experiences in every way.