Alexa ’22, a boarding student from Jersey City, N.J., learned a lot about herself in her first 235 days at Peddie. Now, she’s more excited and determined than ever!

I was excited but mostly nervous as I walked into Efros Auditorium and sat down on one of the six empty stools that stood in front of the room. This was the first panel discussion group I was a part of at Peddie, an Admissions event for prospective families. The rest of the panelists came in and took up the remaining seats beside me. The visiting parents and students soon came in, the program started and before I knew it the panel had already ended! 

We headed over to the dining hall to have lunch with our visitors. I didn’t eat much of my lunch because I ended up walking from table to table, excited to share how I found Peddie and how my journey at this school has been so far. 

By the end of the event, it hit me: during the first few months at Peddie, I had learned so much about myself.
 
When I first stepped onto campus as a new Peddie student, I was scared and anxious. I had no idea what Peddie had in store for me. The car ride to Peddie made me think about who I was at that exact moment and who I wanted to become. I wanted to become more independent but also be able to recognize when I need help and to ask for it. Although I had everything on my packing checklist, I still didn't feel like I was prepared for the challenges I would face. 

In those 235 days, I had played a sport I never even heard of, discovered my sportsmanship and teamwork skills and taken amazing classes that uncovered a determination I never knew I had.

While it took me a month or two to become accustomed to life at Peddie, day one quickly became day 235, and here I was part of an admissions panel. In those 235 days, I had played a sport I never even heard of, discovered my sportsmanship and teamwork skills and taken amazing classes that uncovered determination I never knew I had. I became a tour guide and learned of my love of making connections with people and welcoming them into Peddie’s friendly and supportive environment. 
 
I’ve learned so much about myself at Peddie. No longer anxious, I feel prepared and excited for what’s to come in my Peddie career.

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