HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE TRANSITION
The Second Year
Hello I'm
Franklin Okpala
F-A.COM
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Now that you are a sophomore and a few months away of entering your junior year, how has it changed you? What life lessons have you learned? How did you overcome your challenges?
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FRANKLIN OKPALA
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The change from freshman year to sophomore year happened mostly with the way I handle academic pressure. Since I now understand most of the routine of my professors, I'm managing my workload better and therefore, improved my academic performance. I learned that time management and constant planning and scheduling can go a long way for students.
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Let’s flip the switch, what were some of the best moments of your sophomore year?
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FRANKLIN OKPALA
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One of my best moments was making the Dean’s List after the fall of my sophomore year.
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Are you still adjusting, or do you feel you have a better handle on this college undergrad business?
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FRANKLIN OKPALA
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I really think I'm handling everything better. It definitely gets easier after freshman year.
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Are you involved in any new activities at school?
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FRANKLIN OKPALA
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Yes, I joined the Future Business Leader Association
(Phi Beta Lambda).
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What advice would you give the class of 2019?
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FRANKLIN OKPALA
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I’d advise them to learn as much as they can, and not buy into the myth that college is hard and impossible, especially for students like us graduating from the public school system.
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Are you applying for any internships or semester abroad?
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FRANKLIN OKPALA
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I’m currently applying to Merck & Co Inc. I’m also currently interning at Separation Methods Technologies, Inc. as a Business Developer/Strategist and a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep.
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Frankford launched its Aviation Academy this year? Would you have been interested in this field?
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FRANKLIN OKPALA
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It's a wonderful program which will provide tremendous opportunities for Frankford kids. However, I don't think it's a field I will be interested in pursuing in the future.
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Why should recent alumni get involved in the Alumni Association? Your class could have a 5-year reunion in 2022, something to think about.
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FRANKLIN OKPALA
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I think Frankford’s Alumni Association presents a good networking platform for us. It’ll also help build great connections and relationships that will be beneficial to us. My class should definitely think about having a five-year reunion, and it should be done.
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F-A.COM
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Sounds like a plan.