High School and College Transitions: Student Perspectives

What does it actually take to thrive during the leap from high school to university?

Making the transition to college is one of the most exciting milestones in a student’s life, but it’s also a journey filled with massive changes, uncertainty, and unanswered questions.

In this episode of Perspectives, Dr. Ward sits down with two incredible local graduates to look at this major life transition from both sides of the fence.

Meet our guests.

Maria Osagie-Erese , a 2025 Willoughby South High School graduate, reflects on her personal growth, what she learned "leaving the nest," and her advice as she heads into her sophomore year of college.

Holly Mosnik, Eastlake North High School’s 2026 Valedictorian, shares her high school highlights, her current mix of excitement and nerves, and her expectations as she prepares to start college this fall.

Whether you're a parent preparing to send your child off, a high schooler looking ahead, or a college freshman trying to find your footing, tune in for a thoughtful, honest conversation about navigating the next big chapter.

Transcript

Speaker: 0:01

What does it actually take to school to university? Making the transition to college is one of the most exciting milestones in a student's life, but it's also a journey filled with massive changes, uncertainty, and unanswered questions. In this episode of perspectives, doctor Ward sits down with two incredible local graduates to look at this major life transition from both sides of the fence. Whether you're a parent off, a high schooler looking trying to find your footing. Tune in for a thoughtful, honest the next big chapter. Let's dive in. Welcome to our perspectives through conversation and good sense of the world. And so today, joining us on the podcast, we have two exceptional guests. I mean, this is going to be a We've got, uh, Alumni and former South graduate, Maria Osagie-Erese. Joining us today and recent Holly Mosnik, joining us today. So welcome to both of you. Thank you. Thank you. Absolutely. It's summertime. You you've carved out some time And we couldn't be more grateful And today we're going to do We're going to talk about what it's like after you graduate and that kind of experience you have after the end of one year of college. And then we'll talk about what college and look back on what we're at today. And so let's dive in and learn a Let's start with Holly. Tell us a little bit about Um, I'm Holly Mosnik. I did cheer at North. I played softball, I worked at So you're being humble, right? You also were the valedictorian Had to give a speech in front of Yes. How was that experience? It was nerve wracking. But, you know, I just tried not just did it once. Get it done. Yeah. You did an exceptional job. I'd encourage anyone who's commencement speech and listen. It was a really good delivery Thank you. Um, what about you? Tell us a little bit about My name is Maria Osagie-Erese sports at South. I loved every second of it. I'm at Mercyhurst University right now in Erie, Pennsylvania, continuing my flag football career. And so you just completed your Yes. And you came back home to the for year one. And so we're going to learn a little bit about that today, hopefully. And our hope is that the story other graduates who are on their Um, or perhaps those that have returned, think about how they continue to build on their successes. Um, so let's start with this. We're going to go back in the Let's go to North High School. I want you to think about the you had a chance to interact journey at North. Does anyone come to mind that you'd like to give a shout out to today? Yes, my Spanish teacher, Mrs. her all three years. She retired from my senior year always just a bright spot in the She's always good to talk to. She always had life advice, and She always made learning feel like you weren't learning, but you still. But when it came to it, you knew what everything that you needed to. So she's just an awesome lady. And so you had her every year Yeah, except for my senior year That was her first year, but she She was still subbing. So I saw her every now and then. I remember meeting her my first year here three years ago on a committee, and she was willing to learn the tools that she needed to use to make sure she continued to impact her students. Um, and that was really a clear Just give it, give it, give it. All right. Yep. And it's good to hear that story resonates at the student end as well. Yep. Um, what about you. What's a, what's a is there a So I'm a little abnormal. I love teachers and coaches. I spent like most of my senior teachers, but a teacher that back to is Miss Johnson. Um, she's the principal at, um, I don't know what it's called. Um, but she taught me how to myself back up and keep going She was also passionate. Please. Okay. Yes. She was the basketball coach. And I was not very good at I loved basketball, but I'm not So she would yell at me about, everything I did was wrong. And I was like, you know what? If everything I do is wrong, whatever, you know? I'm just going to try my best. And then I tried. I kept trying my best and And then she was my English And again, everything I did was And we would be in like group, And everyone would have me tell scared of her, like she was the tell me that I was wrong. And then I'd do it wrong and then pick myself back up and do it again. And eventually it would be And even when I'm writing papers or writing emails, I make sure it's correct and like very formal. And it just goes back to everything I learned in that class. And then even when I'm down on myself, I'm like, well, I'm just failing. Like you have to fail first and So so Maria, talk a little bit Let's expand upon that a little really important lesson for Um, how do you carry that spirit forward through the college experience as you were entering college, looking back on the lessons you learned from Miss Johnson and the importance of failure. How did that lesson translate to the experience you had when you were starting this second adventure? It makes everything less nerve wracking because you don't have to get it perfect the first time. You can just try again and keep I look at failing as like A lot of the things I learned, Like with my memory and stuff. But a lot of the things I it first, and then I got really at it the first time. And so would you. Would it be safe to say that one of the pieces of advice you might give to students that have graduated, or might be going into their senior year is to embrace failure as as a way to get better. Yeah, it's definitely a step to And do you think that's the normal practice or the, the normal thing people just embrace? No, I think people make things I learned at college everyone, You know, everything's a lot In high school, it's like This person's going to think It's just like, who cares? That's outstanding. So so building on that theme of does that resonate with you as Yes, that definitely has. And in my commencement speech, I don't be afraid. Like you're, you're gonna have You're going to have to do this. So I definitely agree with that Like just you, you're gonna It's inevitable. And it's I know, I know, I'm a I want to be perfect the first There's no way. So failing is definitely I think that's probably a really today for people that might be of nervous about the next step can't get it wrong if you keep And you don't stop learning from everything that you engage in, right? I mean, you two have already set the table with a really high bar here. And so we'll try and, um, keep Let's talk about like the the whole experience at North High School or South High School when you were there, like, is there some event or experience that just jumps out at you as being kind of like, yep, that captures what North High School is all about. Describe those events for me as south, all the north south whole week ahead. It just it's really like even Coaches, teachers, everyone's And that's just my favorite. Like football games, basketball Would you say that was a defining characteristic of the senior year? Yeah. Always like just enjoying those And so reflecting back at your some of those, those high that still today, even a year um, that you can make ideas like Like, you know, we have the class is all about ideas. Like if you have an idea for a product, Miss Bauer is going to do her best to try to make it happen. Like even these cups that we engrave cups in the fab lab and So it's like that ideas can come And then the spirit thing, a lot north, like we'd have rebels, different games that we'd play And I remember one time I was in committee of that. And I said, I don't want to play like these kiddie games, these carnival games. I want to play dodgeball. So then we play dodgeball. And it was great. Like everyone got their own teams and my team ended up losing. But it was still fun. And it was crazy that the whole on my idea. So that was really fun. So, so I've heard two really just getting started. We heard that failure is And we also heard this idea of become action, right? Like, let's unpack why that's an who's leaving high school and college or career. Like, why is that idea to action something that's really important for people to carry with them? I would say execution is You know, if you have an idea, don't be scared to put it out there. Like just try it. And so let's, let's see if we school experience as well. Like, have you felt through your there was a space and a platform Yes, I definitely think like, of a leader on that team. So I think there's definitely don't be afraid to ask. Don't be afraid. There's plenty of people out there who are willing to help you. They want to help you. So I think yes. So I think I think those two are Right. Like if you have an idea and you Yep, exactly. You have a chance to start And then kind of keep iterating. That's that's really insightful. I think about from the perspective of a dad who wants to give advice to his son and my daughter. And I think those are two good this conversation so far. Like take your ideas and And don't be afraid if they don't work the first time, fail forward. I like it. Um, let's circle back around to just focusing on like the skills, the attributes, the important things that that a student would need to know if they want to be successful during their time in high school. So when you think about high up with two or three things that this advice to an incoming now, like what would be some of your freshman self? I would say like, learn how to Explain that a little bit. What does that mean? So like for me, I, I did CCP at North because I still wanted school and I did sports. So that's a lot of things. A lot of times you have to be at So I'd say learning how to and just being mindful and also the fun things. So what I heard you say, so time or think thoughtfully and going to divide up the time you you're really involved. Yes. So would it be fair to say like, Yes, I, I one hundred percent have a much better experience to get through high school. You know, this is the third conversation we've had with different people. And these themes keep coming up. And one of them is the power of and knowing that that just Yes. So that's a good advice to What else would you say to a freshman coming into North High School? I would say like, don't be and don't be afraid. Kind of the same thing. Don't be afraid to join things. But you're going to if I look from middle school to now, I have all different friends, I never I thought I was going to stay friends with them the entire time. But you meet new people, you that you fit with. So don't be afraid of the unknown, like taking risks and getting involved. Sound like a magic formula here? To having a wonderful four years And then, you know, you couple you know, executing, you know, You could write a book, I mean, or at least a podcast here, right? Like we're well on our way. I think we're going to gonna go Um, let's let's pivot over here same advice now to yourself, um, college and looking back, like, freshman version of yourself? Maria. Um, don't be afraid to branch Exactly what Holly was saying high school were totally Meet new people. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and always say good morning to teachers and principals and people like Dr. Ward because they appreciate that. You know, it's funny though, like that's just being kind and greeting people. And, uh, you know, that changes the entire way that the conversation unfolds. Uh, that's sage advice right Uh, good to model too. Um, let's think about your year And so you obviously went to expectations, and then you got Yeah. Like, how would you summarize Um, it was great. I really loved it. The first three months I was But, um, like college is like have hours and you have the rest and you don't have that class And I really liked that because independent stuff where I can And that's just like what It's independent. It's living on your own. Everything depends on you. And you kind of learn how to And then you meet new people And it's a lot of fun because New York and they have the same they play the same sports as And it's just crazy because you if you didn't come here. So talk to me about how that So it took a couple of months to Um, you felt prepared or what were some of the areas that I did take this class, um, writing for college and at South, and I was just very scared to go to college. Um, so that class really calmed Like we wrote a ten page paper and it was like nothing because we wrote it like over the course of weeks. And Miss Vokic, she taught us And it just really helped me. And then the Fab Lab, that really helped me because that's where that's also where I applied the failing thing because I failed in that place a lot. Mr. Behrend was a great guy. He taught me a lot. And I would come in there and Math doesn't make sense. Math isn't real because I'd come mad and he'd be like, math is And he taught me. He told me that if there's like the proportions are off, figure it out. And I'm like, well, yeah. And he's like, you need to do the same thing with your math class. And then I approached math with a whole new mindset and it was great. So you took those kind of lessons learned and you were able to kind of translate them through some of the transition, uh, to the, the college experience. Um, if you had to give advice to someone, let's say, let's say we'll just. Holly. Right. Just come up with a name, soon at John Carroll, right? John Carroll that's awesome. Um, and so as she's making that one or two pieces of advice that Get into a routine. Routine is everything because everything set out. You can just do the same thing Um, it's good for time If you block out time to do your out, take breaks. Like once I got into a routine, didn't have time to waste time, So I'm going to ask the million And I want you to be as honest because we're always trying to get better here in Willoughby-Eastlake, too. So I heard time management is And I also heard that the way that you learn best is by not having back to back to back classes, but to have a class and time to digest it Digested and debrief. I mean, if we're going to be honest, does the way high schools configured currently really get you prepared for that environment? It all depends on how your schedule is set up, but not really. Okay. Is like go, go, go. You start really early in the If you're on the bus, you start It's like go, go, go. And then, you know, like you you think everyone's looking at thought, I always thought Like this person got their I'm like, oh my God, what am I Like, it's just like I thought And then like, I wouldn't have, I wouldn't have time to digest the classes. I just have math and then But my junior year, I had like English and stuff, but I had English and then Media of like a break. You learn like different things. And that was really good. I noticed I really thrived under go, go again. But So there was a way to kind of configure a schedule in high school that started to create a more realistic kind of, um, experience. We say yes because we always say real world, and then we realize unstructured time that you have Right? Right. Which you kind of already You talked about like all this like, how do you manage time? How did you develop those time Um, and how did the high school Or perhaps at times maybe you It definitely was a challenge at find the rhythm of it. But for me, it was like I always So like your practices, you have to go to those at a certain time. Then once you have that laid piece in those homework times. Or I have, I have an hour in between school ending and practice. Maybe I'll get this done there. So for me, it was like, get the things you have to do, done, done. And then you can work in those other things that you have a little more time and freedom to do. But it was definitely So I always like to tell people, imagine you're sitting with the superintendent of schools, right? Someone who has just a little bit of impact on the schooling experience. And you could give him one or school needs to shift to better that you just described, right going to meet new people. And it's just going to be that like hyper focus of high or two things you'd tell, say, you're preparing, um, you know, you, let's let's start. Holly, what would you say? Um, I would say for me, I was on lot of kids as doing the CCP. So like my friends were here and And the CCP world was kind of I was more navigating that on my own. So like, I wish I had a little That would be my thing. Okay, so more support in, um, in those more unstructured, um, credit plus class, right? Like having some support there. Um, as you're preparing to move Yeah. All right. What about, uh, what insight and I would say more like life skills classes or like real classes, like a time management class. I mean, I struggle with that in And my mom said people struggle And I think it would be really And I think it would be really because sometimes my time would doing track and flag football. That's like lift practice, then another practice, and then it's like the end of the day and it's like, I just want to sit down and rest, but I have homework to do. So I'd say like life skills. And so like, like we talk a lot about like future ready and durable skills and, you know, managing time and making sure that you greet people when you see them and that you have the ability to communicate effectively, think through a problem. Um, and so being more skills into the experiences we Um, yeah, the future ready And then the, um, writing for college class that I took that really just put my mind at ease because I was like, I can do this. Like I thought college was like writing a bunch of really long anything else, you know, like And so we always, when we're talking on this podcast, like to jump into the AI space for but a moment, um, because I know neither of you have ever heard of it, and you've probably never used it. So talk to me about the impact or your learning journey. Um, because I think that's an important topic for people right now. We're trying to find their way Um, like how does AI, uh, because it probably showed up during your high school experience, right? Yeah. And so how did that change And what do you use it for? I definitely saw like other people just started to cut corners and then there would be wondering, oh, why don't I know this? But it's like just used it to So I think I know why. So I mean, that was not helpful But for me, sometimes if I'm just stuck or I'm like, I don't know how to word this, this sounds weird. I'm like, I use it as a kind of Give me some fresh things to If I'm just like stuck in the to go through. And so it's interesting. We had a conversation with an ago, and she talked a lot about She used a big word, but we just corners, you got to do the work. Yeah. So that's really interesting And it's connecting kind of a um, on this podcast. So talk to me about AI at the college level, what's going on up there? Um, so it's the same thing. There's some people who just go and that makes me like so Um, I use AI to like reword things like reword a homework question, but I would be really careful about not cheating, not getting the answer because sometimes I just learn differently. Like I don't get things usually the first time I have to like relearn it, uh, do it over again. So I would use AI for that. All right. So it's definitely here. It's definitely impacting our Do you see it continuing to I definitely think so. I think there's no way to get But even like I mentioned earlier, she would find ways to make like use ChatGPT or whatever to make assignments more fun. Like we would make up little, story in Spanish for us, with And then we would do little make it more fun. I would say so it sounds like helps to make more personal complement your learning style. Yes, that's pretty, pretty neat. Um, let's come around full real for a second here. So you're on your way to college and you've been through a year of college. Like, is there any questions top of your mind for me, I want nervous to do that. So how are some ways that you Um, we have at Mercyhurst, we and then a lot of clubs. So if you just sign up for them and you like you be intentional about wanting to get involved and you do the work, it's pretty easy. And then you're not the only Everyone's nervous, everyone's So how long did it take till you Like, so you talked about those Yeah, like two to three months, But once I got my routine, it What else? Other questions do you have Were you prepared? I mean, I'm just gonna were you prepared when you started compared to your, um, your peers? I'd say so. I'd say prepared as, as you can can't prepare for. But yeah, like you learn along So did you have the toolkit to be successful outside of the high school? Yeah, I'd say so. Just because again, I like studies just by myself. So I jumped right in with some What else do you got? Um, I think is this is a more silly question, but is it as easy to make new friends as everyone says? Everyone says, oh, you're nervous, everyone's in the same boat, but is it really that easy? Everyone is in the same boat. I'd say. So a lot of your classes are going to be with freshmen anyway, and you'll probably have to do like a lot of group projects. Um, so you make friends pretty I have a lot of people's phone It's like this kid from New I just have Cordell marketing. Like I don't, I don't really But yeah, but I see him around campus and I say hi and it's nice. And so one of the things that we like to do is we kind of start to wind this conversation down is I have two questions that I, that we'd like to kind of come back to. And I want to, I want to start with like, what gives you the most hope when you think about the journey you've been on up to this point and the journey that you've just completed and the one you're about to start, like what leaves you hopeful in this moment? Um, that you'd like to share with the people listening or watching today? Holly, let's start over here. Um, I think a lot of people have So in my mind, I just think I So that leaves me hopeful. But I think it's knowing, seeing what I have done and I have accomplished and having that little whisper in your ear telling you that you can do all this. So I think just I'm excited to Yeah. I mean, I'd say like little worked the Kareem Hunt camp. So seeing them, I don't know, I feel like I have to do it for them. And then I think about all the came before me. And that leaves me hopeful. And so because hope is an important thing, it always, uh, gives us the opportunity to pause and then kind of look to the future. Um, speaking of the future, Like what, what, what are you trying to accomplish while you're in? Uh. Um, so actually, I was because I really like French and microeconomics and then I was So I'm studying exercise science sense if you know me. I do. You know, it's interesting, when kind of had this little slogan was movement is medicine. Yes. And so now it's full circle for that I've, I've honored and Because if you ask anyone around the office, I walk a lot to get my steps. And as I do that, I think about see exercise science. What a great connection. Like why, why that passion? Um, working out has just always been a part of me and like a part of my family growing up, like my mom was in the army, my dad really liked soccer and my brother Andrew was actually studying exercise science and I event. I originally was like, I'm not like Andrew, I'm not going to do that. But apparently I'm just like So we'd always do like family We'd have matching outfits. So we've just always been I just really love that. So one class and then you Yeah. And building a solid foundation Yeah. I was already like skeptical because I was like, this is kind of boring. But I was like, maybe it's just But I was like, no, like, it So it's so you're giving people idea, but be willing to pivot. Yes. Right. Be don't be afraid to fail. Oh, look at that full circle What's your favorite science I haven't taken any. I took I switched it at the end All right. Good. We'll have to connect when you when you get that favorite science class. Let's talk about you. Um, well, I was undecided. Okay, I decision making I get I went in and decided, but I'm because CCP kind of forced you So I'm going to start in That's always been something My three uncles are police something around and I've always So I'm excited to start that. And again, I might take one isn't for me. And we'll pivot to something But or you might show up and be right back at criminology is No, passion is the key. Find what excites you, right? And then, you know, study that turn it into a career. You know, when I was in second grade, I wanted to teach second grade. Wow. And I told my parents I want to And I went all in, only changed So, um, I'm grateful to be where And I, my hope and wish for both passion and that you study it I think you both are just a raving examples of success of Willoughby-Eastlake schools. It's grateful. Uh, you know, I'm grateful to have this conversation with both of you today that you give us your time and insight because you shared some pretty profound things today. So know how grateful I am that today and be on this podcast. So thank you both. Any parting words, final Um, I did go to college and Oh my gosh, that's, that's breaking news at the end of a podcast. So good. So listen to your parents because they know more than you do, apparently. Oh boy. That's big news right there. Yeah, I think I mean, she is Parents are probably right. I'll probably figure that out But I think just kind of what afraid to fail. Just try new things. Keep going. Well, thank you both for coming And to everyone else who chose to listen or watch, we're grateful that you continued to do that. This was our perspective podcast today with two wonderful, uh, former graduates, uh, an alum of the year. Uh, we look forward to future Thanks for tuning in to this Listening to Maria and Holly reminds us that this transition into young adulthood isn't just about academics. It's about building the confidence to forge new friendships, explore unique interests, and navigate both the challenges and joy of life after high school. A huge thank you to Maria and Holly for their vulnerability, insight, and practical advice for the next generation of college students. Enjoy this episode! Please subscribe! Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with a student or parent who is preparing for their own college journey. Thank you for taking the time to listen, learn and reflect with us.