"Shadow Day was so much fun! We got to go to Bio and the class was just like a high school class," says one Roseland Collegiate Preparatory high school student after sitting in on a college Biology lecture. Hopefully this student is taking AP Biology!
Shadow Day at Sonoma State University (SSU) is a day when college Freshmen students in University 150B host Roseland Collegiate Preparatory (RCP) junior level students and give them an exclusive look on what college is all about.
The RCP students got a chance to experience a day-in-the-life of a SSU student. This included sitting in on classes and lectures, experiencing various hang-out spots throughout campus, eating lunch at The Kitchens cafeteria, and visiting the Semillon Building dorm showroom, as well as receiving a warm welcome from President Judy Sakaki.
The students also lounged in the Student Center and could check out the Rec Center, along with the new Makerspace on the second floor of the Library, which opened in 2017. RCP students saw firsthand how 3D printers make different figures and models, as well as experiment in making their own souvenir. This was also my first time visiting the Makerspace, and I was amazed that all these high-tech devices were at our university! Since this new area is free for all students, faculty, and staff, I indulged in learning how to use a sewing machine for the first time too. Now, I can use the sewing machines on campus for my craft projects!
Lauren Slotsve, a SSU student in the University 150B class reflected, "FYE (Freshman Year Experience) is a lot about globalization, and connecting with our community, and how the world connects and interacts with each other, so this day is interesting to see how high school students are reacting to just being at college for the day and seeing a college class." Shadow Day not only benefits the RCP students, but it also allows the SSU student(s) to mentor and exemplify to the juniors what their options are for their near future. The SSU students reassure them that college is a place for opportunities.
As juniors in high school, it is easy to believe that college and careers are further away than they seem, and Shadow Day allows them to realistically weigh their options before all the application deadlines and ask any questions they may have. This day is a great resource for all high school students whether or not college is on their mind. After talking with RCP junior DeAngelo Reglores, he informed me that he is considering applying to the Santa Rosa Junior College, and then "transferring out" afterwards. Shadow Day was not his first visit to SSU and all his visits influence his decision towards higher-education.
Today was another successful Shadow Day where Roseland Collegiate Prep students left with a new take on possibilities for them and SSU freshmen gained leadership and mentoring skills. We hope to see the RCP 2019 graduating class here as SSU students soon!