5 Ways to Stay Connected as a Winston Prep Graduate

Though this belonging may look and feel different after graduation, it continues to play a significant role in the lives of alumni, strengthening your ties to Winston Prep and keeping you in touch with the skills you gained throughout your time there.

As all Winston Prep graduates know, the transition from studenthood to alumni begins long before graduation day.  Continuous conversations throughout a student’s time at Winston Prep build off the reflective and supported discussions that begin in the admissions process and continue daily throughout a student’s time at Winston Prep. The formal transition from studenthood to alumni starts in the eleventh grade, where students and their families begin meeting with campus-based College and Transition Directors to add to the ongoing conversation of discussing goals, both short and long-term, hopes for life after Winston, and carving a path together to get each student exactly where they want to go. 

Developing  a shared evolving understanding over a student’s tenure allows Winston leaders, faculty and parents to not only help you prepare for the transition to adulthood, but also to understand how they can specifically support you and connect with you after graduation, laying the groundwork for the important skill of building and sustaining meaningful relationships over time. 

Read more about how Winston Prep prepares students for life after graduation.

When it comes to long-term communication, what works for one person may not be the best fit for another. We recognize that our alums have busy lives filled with exciting experiences, new pressures, and lots of change.

So, we strive to reach out and bring alumni together in ways that make sense for a broad range of lifestyles, from recent graduates who are adjusting to college life, to ten-year graduates who are balancing family or work obligations.

Overall, the goal is to allow Winston to stay a part of your lives and maintain an alumni community that feels supportive, welcoming and helpful.

While alumni certainly find their own ways to coordinate informal meet-ups and gatherings, Winston Prep also puts effort into connecting with alumni and keeping them updated on what’s happening at their former Winston campuses.

From invitations to share life updates and successes to opportunities to mentor current soon-to-be-graduates, we keep in touch in various ways, keeping our network strong, current and vibrant. By having multiple spaces where Winston alums can reach each other and give voice to their experiences after graduation, the alumni network is able to share positivity, joy and support.

If you are a soon-to-be graduate of Winston Prep, here are some of the ways you can look to stay connected:

As long-time alums know, the Winston Innovation Lab (WIL) publishes monthly newsletters that are sent to the entire alumni network. These newsletters act as a continuous way for us to connect and to be part of a communal space.

They also include important updates about happenings at Winston Prep, such as upcoming campus-specific events for alumni and opportunities to participate in research, like the Innovation Lab’s ongoing Lives Over Time Study.

Each newsletter also highlights one of the Qualities of a Sustainable and Independent Learner (QSIL) and invites alums to share how these skills remain relevant in their lives after Winston.

We are always proud to learn just how often graduates tap into skills like self-advocacy or time management when approaching important moments in their lives, and we know that alums love to hear from one another on this topic to spur new ideas and continue their learning and growing.

One thing about our alumni network that makes it remarkable is that it celebrates all of the successes in graduates’ lives, from small wins to huge victories. From career moves to growing families, to travels and more, it is always exciting to share alumni stories and see what Winston graduates have been up to.

Share your story with us! Alums have the opportunity to both share their updates and shout each other out through several pathways of communication.

In this video series featured on Winston Prep’s social media, alumni share how Winston prepared them for their next steps. Watch our latest videos here.

Interested in sharing a video?  Submit our Alumni Spotlight form.

Alumni Spotlight Corner of our monthly newsletter where individuals share exciting news about their educational, professional and personal lives.

Monthly Alumni Newsletters also include one full alumni interview that offers a look into where the interviewee currently is in life, what they have accomplished so far, and how they feel they have changed most since graduating.

You never know what connections or networking opportunities you might make by putting yourself out there in a newsletter!

Looking for a way to get involved? In recent years, we launched a program in which Winston graduates are invited to become college process mentors to current juniors and seniors.

In each Alumni Newsletter, look out for a way to contact the Winston Innovation Lab if you are interested in connecting with a current junior or senior who would like to learn more about your particular college or university. This is a great way to share your knowledge, reflect on your college experience, and show support for fellow members of your Winston community.

Each year, the Winston Innovation Lab coordinates a virtual alumni panel event that connects a group of Winston Prep alums with current juniors, seniors, and Transitions students. This event is special in that it brings together the voices of those who are at all different stages of post-Winston life and gives Winston graduates, both recent and past, the chance to engage with the Winston community. 

Maintaining ties with your specific campus is an important piece of staying connected to your individual Winston experience. In addition to all of the above ways to stay in touch after graduation, alumni are always welcome to call, visit, write, and stay up-to-date through our social media. We love to hear from you!

By having multiple spaces where Winston alums, both old and new, can reach each other and give voice to their experiences after graduation, the Winston Prep alumni network is able to share positivity, joy and support. We look forward to adding new voices to the conversation!

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