What do you wish you had known before you left school? It is a simple question, but one that can open up a surprisingly useful conversation.

This week, Old Tridents returned to Trent College, in person and virtually, to do exactly that, joining Year 13 students for a What I Wish I’d Known Alumni Panel.

Working closely with the Sixth Form team and Careers department, the Alumni Office is able to bring the experience of Old Tridents into careers education and post-18 guidance, helping our pupils to understand the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. This panel was a great example of that partnership in action, bringing together four recent Old Tridents whose very different experiences offered Year 13 students a valuable opportunity to ask questions and hear what life after Trent is really like.

Four different experiences, but one important thing in common: only a few years ago, they were sitting where the current Year 13 students are now.

Irini Linardos (Class of 2022), joined us online from her home in Greece. Choosing the USA university experience, she studied Political Science, Social Policy Analysis, International Relations & Affairs at Rice University, Houston, Texas and spent six months on exchange in Australia, at the University of Sydney studying Political Science and Entrepreneurship.  Irini will return to the UK later this month to begin a Master's degree in Theology, at University of Oxford.

Ben Richards (Class of 2022), graduated in Mathematics from University of Exeter before moving directly into an NHS supply chain graduate scheme, beginning his career in finance & project management.

Alice Butler (Class of 2024) is in her third year of undergraduate study at Harper Adams University and has recently begun a placement year with Pepsi-Lipton, as a Product Technologist.  Alice will return to Harper Adams next year to complete her degree in Food Science & Innovation.

Leo Allanson (Class of 2024) chose the degree apprenticeship route and is now in his third year of a 5 year Environmental Management Degree Apprenticeship with the Ministry of Defence Submarine Delivery Group, attending the University of the West of England.

This broad mix of alumni experience gave students the opportunity to hear about university, studying abroad, placements, graduate employment and degree apprenticeships, as well as the practical realities of becoming more independent.

Questions that really matter

The Year 13 students had spent time discussing the panel with their tutors beforehand and prepared questions for each of the panellists, alongside broader questions for the group.

And the questions reflected the things that students are genuinely thinking about as they prepare to leave Trent.

How do you choose between your firm and insurance university choices? What should you ask at an open day? How do you prepare for an interview? What happens if you don't like your course? How do you choose where to live? What is the difference between catered and self-catered accommodation? How do you manage your money? How difficult is it to move away from home and make new friends?

There were also questions specifically for each panellist, reflecting their very different experiences; from Leo's degree apprenticeship and career progression, to Alice's placement year, Irini's experience of studying in the USA and comparison with the UK and Australia, and Ben's direct route into finance. The final question brought everyone together: what single piece of advice would you give your Year 13 self, knowing what you know now?

This made for a relaxed and informal conversation with the OTs that was practical, honest and very much grounded in their lived experience.

Different routes, different lessons

Irini's experience opened up a wide conversation about studying overseas, from the differences between the US and UK application processes to the cultural differences she experienced during her time in the USA and Australia: 

“They want to see how you think, who are you beyond the grades”

The US application process, in particular, gave students plenty to think about. Applications can require considerable preparation, including detailed essays and evidence of activities beyond academic study. There can also be earlier deadlines and additional considerations such as visas and scholarships.

For students considering studying abroad, hearing directly from someone who had actually made that journey offered an insight that is difficult to gain from a university website or prospectus.

“It’s a fully immersive community focused experience with at least three years living on campus, classes every day and so many activities to get involved with, opportunities to represent the university and travel.”

“Everything you need is right there, it’s like a small village”.

Alice and Ben were able to share a very different perspective, talking about their UK university choices, accommodation considerations such as on campus or off campus, to share or not to share a bathroom, budgeting and the transition into the workplace.

Their experiences highlighted the importance of looking beyond the course itself when choosing what comes next. Where you live, the type of accommodation, the cost of living and the wider university environment can all shape the experience.

“I didn’t budget well and quickly learned every penny is worth saving! You need to think about whether you need parking, how far is the walk to the shops, is there a budget supermarket nearby, those things that I didn’t really think about until I got there”

Leo brought another perspective again. As a degree apprentice, he has taken a route that combines employment with higher-level study. He was able to talk openly about the application process and the need to be assertive and proactive when it came to tracking and following up on each of his 8 applications, the different stages involved and the challenge of finding accommodation and establishing yourself and making new friends when your experience doesn't necessarily follow the traditional university model.

“Even if your application is unsuccessful the whole process is a valuable experience for future job opportunities.”

The things you don't necessarily put on an application form

A further interesting part of the morning came after the panel session had finished, we’d said goodbye, for now, to Irini and the students headed off to lessons.

Over coffee, Leo, Alice and Ben continued their conversation with Fiona Starbuck, Trent College Head of Careers, and Jo Slater from the school’s Alumni Office, back in the Careers Hub. As we talked in more detail about what they had done since leaving Trent, the conversation came back to something particularly valuable for our current pupils:

The things they had done at Trent were still helping them now

Ben and Alice both reflected on how their experiences at school had helped them when applying for their graduate scheme and university placement respectively.

They were able to draw on experiences from activities including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Trent College CCF, using examples of leadership, communication, teamwork, responsibility and stepping outside their comfort zones in applications and interviews.

These were activities they had undertaken while they were pupils at Trent. At the time, they may simply have felt like part of school life. Looking back, however, they could see how those experiences had given them tangible examples to talk about when they were asked to demonstrate their skills and qualities.

That is a really important message for our current pupils and one that is particularly powerful when it comes from someone who has recently been through the same process.

The value of an Old Trident conversation

This is where we think the real strength of our alumni community lies. Old Tridents don't just represent where a Trent education can lead. They can explain how they got there.

They remember what it was like to be in the Sixth Form. They remember the lessons, the routines, the activities, the expectations and the support they received. They understand the uncertainty of making decisions about university or work, because they have experienced it themselves.

And, because our alumni community includes people at so many different stages of life and career, there is always the potential to find someone whose experience is directly relevant to a current pupil.

Sometimes that might be a careers conversation or work experience. Sometimes it might be advice about university applications or a degree apprenticeship. Sometimes it might simply be an informal conversation with someone who can say, “I was in your position a few years ago, this is what I learned.”

“I had an amazing time in the court this week…. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time and learned so much about the ins and outs of being a criminal barrister. It has definitely solidified my decision to pursue law and become a barrister.” Tilly, Y13 (Barristers Chambers work experience, with Anthony Cheung (class of 2012), Summer 2026).

The Year 13 students' questions demonstrated just how much they value that opportunity. The panel gave them the chance to ask questions of people who had recently made those decisions themselves, and to hear answers that were personal rather than theoretical.

Your experience has value

When we talk about keeping Old Tridents connected with Trent, it isn't only about looking back, reflecting on the memories and nostalgia connected with school days of the past. It’s also about how our alumni can contribute to the pupils who are here today, adding value to their educational journey at Trent and the sense of connection that can also bring.

Every Old Trident has a story to tell. That story, whether it is about university, an apprenticeship, a first job, changing direction, overcoming a challenge, travelling overseas, finding or pivoting in a career, can help a young person see possibilities for their own future.

It also gives our current pupils an opportunity to see the education they are receiving through the eyes of those who have already taken it into the wider world.

That makes alumni an important part of the Trent story: not simply as former pupils, but as living examples of where a Trent education can take you and of the skills, experiences and confidence that can continue to have value long after you leave the school campus.

Could you be part of the next conversation?

A huge thank you to Irini, Ben, Alice and Leo for giving their time so generously, sharing their experiences so openly and answering the questions from our Year 13 students.

And thank you to the Sixth Form team, Calum Setterington (Head of Year) and Fiona Starbuck (Head of Careers) for recognising the value of bringing recent Old Tridents back into conversation with our pupils.

This was a small panel, but it demonstrated something much bigger: there is a huge amount of knowledge and experience within our Old Trident community that can benefit the next generation.

If you are an Old Trident and would be interested in sharing your experience with current pupils, whether through a careers conversation, an event, work experience, a school visit or simply being available for a conversation, we would love to hear from you.

Your experience could be exactly what another young person needs to hear.

“This experience would not have been possible without help from the school’s Alumni Office and the amazing alumni network that Trent has. It also makes me excited to become an Old Trident and offer opportunities like this to future pupils when I am embedded in my career” Tilly Y13, Head of School