Why I Became a Harvard Summer School Proctor
I usually spend my summers teaching dance at a local studio, but this time, I wanted to try something different.
I already had experience in education as a paraprofessional, working with students with disabilities, so I chose to push myself and look for opportunities in my career field. I did a Google search and saw an opportunity at Harvard Summer School to be a proctor for the Pre-College Program and thought to myself, “If you’re going to do anything in academics, aim the highest you can.”
I was one of 44 proctors who worked with several dozen students at a time, across the three Pre-College Program sessions. We were their guides during the weeks they spent on campus at Harvard, including taking them on field trips and sharing meals together. From nightly curfew check-ins to weekly events we hosted for them, proctors served as mentors to all of the students, not just our assigned group.
Support for Proctors
We had two and a half weeks of intensive training before the students arrived for the first session, going over campus rules and resources. We practiced crisis management, learning how to deal with a wide range of situations, from disciplinary issues to homesickness.
I learned that as a proctor, we were never alone. There was always someone to reach out to for help. From my resident director (RD) to my supervisor, Dr. Jackie Newcomb, everybody was very cooperative. Even if my direct RD didn’t have the answer, he or someone else would find out for me.
Working as a proctor is not for the weak. Unexpected challenges will be thrown at you, so strong communication and teamwork was crucial. You cannot do this job by yourself at all — at the end of the day, everybody will need help at some point.
What I Learned
The main thing I learned during my time as a proctor was how to deal with different perspectives. I have prior experience working with high school students, so I’m comfortable with that age range. Despite the diversity of Harvard Summer School students coming from across the country and around the world, I believe a 16-year-old in Ohio is the same as a 16-year-old in Australia.
I made some really meaningful connections with students, too. There was one student I was continually enforcing rules and boundaries with — especially when it came to curfew — so I thought he wasn’t going to like me. But when his parents came to visit in the last week of his program, they brought me a variety of his favorite Asian and Australian snacks from home. He thanked me for the program experience, which was impactful because you don’t hear that all the time from teenagers.
I also practiced a lot of conflict management with a group of roommates. They would sometimes be in my room until 2 o’clock in the morning explaining their issues, and while I was tired, I was also happy they were able to share how they felt with me.
Being a Pre-College proctor helped me be more open-minded, taking on a diverse range of situations. I was grateful to have a couple of students within my group share their personal stories and backgrounds. You may think that everyone who goes to Harvard is very privileged, but being a proctor opened up my eyes more to how the University helps bring learning opportunities to everybody, year-round.
Advice for HSS Students
I wanted my students to really enjoy themselves. I didn’t go to a program like this when I was in high school, so I wanted them to fully experience the oldest university in the United States. Some of the students had never left home, and I encouraged them to explore as much as they possibly could.
Whether being fully attentive in your classes or trying the burger place down the street, taking in your surroundings is part of the experience. Yes, this is Harvard, and we understand the pedestal Harvard is on, but you’re experiencing something that most people don’t; take all of that in.
Another piece of advice is to be yourself. I believe that not only did my professional background boost my my proctor application, but so did my personality. I encourage students to bring their personalities to their work, too. If you’re thinking of applying to Harvard Summer School, share what you want to learn and explore, what you want to get out of the experience, and how you want to apply what you’ve learned going forward.
