Welcoming the Fall 2020 Semester – Advice from Alums

Schools across the country are grappling with the start of the 2020/21 school year. Hard decisions are being made by school boards, administrators, teachers and parents. Here at Alzar School, we are excited to offer in-person learning and welcome the Semester 17 cohort onto our Idaho campus next week. Staff, teachers and faculty are working hard to make adaptations and implement protocols that will mitigate risk of COVID-19 and help keep our community healthy. Semester 17 students might not realize it quite yet, but they are taking brave and bold steps to further their education and grow as leaders at Alzar School. With these courageous steps, even in non-pandemic years, often comes some trepidation. In efforts to quench these nerves, we reached out to our Alumni Advisory Committee members and asked them to pass along some advice to incoming students. Here is what they had to say:

“Don’t be afraid to be yourself! Friendships come faster when you are genuine.” – Evie, Fall 2019 alumna

“You have a lot more in common with the people here than you might think. Try to talk to everyone (locals included) and own the experience.” – Gunnar, Spring 2020 alumnus

“Everyone who goes to Alzar comes from completely different places, don’t be embarrassed or shy about it. Your differences are what makes you interesting!” – Viv, Fall 2019 alumna

“Take every opportunity you are given, even if it scares you! You’ll make so many more memories if you take chances and go for it.” – Julia, Spring 2020 alumna

“These four months will go by faster than you’d expect! So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and share a laugh or smile with your new classmates because you might not know it now, but they will be your lifelong best friends and in four months you’ll be wishing to go back to the beginning and do it all again” – Campbell, Spring 2020 alumna

“It’s easy to get homesick, but remember that after this semester you’ll go back and everything will still be there waiting for you. Live in the moment and seize the day. From the moment the semester begins there is going to be SO much to do, SO much to see, and SO much to explore. You’ll hear this once from me and you’ll hear it a million times more from others, but these four months will be the quickest four months you’ll have ever experienced. If you’re feeling nervous, remember that all of your new peers are in the EXACT same boat. Remember to cherish all the little (and big) moments, this is an opportunity of a lifetime.” – Mariam, Spring 2020 alumna 

This fall, Alzar School will welcome 30 new motivated and aspiring students. We are simply thrilled to meet them all and look forward to a semester full of powerful and transformative experiences.