How my advisory group keeps me grounded

Each Peddie student is an assigned to an advisory group, led by a faculty member, where students check in and share support. Tour guide Luke shares how his advisory group helps him navigate stress.

Mr. Frank always brings bagels. The brown paper bag is stuffed with an assortment of flavors, but plain is always the most popular. He scatters a cluster of knives on top of a thick wad of grease-stained napkins in the center of the table as we trickle into the classroom.

It’s when I see the bagel bag that I know it’s time for advisory.

Your advisory group occupies a unique space in your Peddie experience. Unlike the friends you sit with at lunch, you don’t spend all of your time talking about Fantasy Football or collectively dreading AP exams. Instead, I like to think that the members of your advisory help keep you grounded in the midst of the chaos of the school year.

When we meet in Caspersen 103, Mr. Frank always begins by asking each of us how we’re doing. What I appreciate most about my advisory is that our meetings never feel tense or rigid. Everyone is always willing to offer support and encouragement if someone else is struggling and I know that always goes a long way.

My favorite memory with my advisory group is undoubtedly the time we took a bus to Chipotle, Five Guys, and Dairy Queen all in the same afternoon. An annual tradition, this fast food trifecta at the end of each school year never fails to simultaneously lift our spirits and fill our stomachs.

In addition to offering academic support, your advisory is a special group of people who grow alongside you as you progress throughout your high school journey. They are people who understand the challenges you are facing and are constantly willing to provide encouragement and perspective. And if nothing else, at least you know Mr. Frank will always bring bagels.