Boarding school stories

Prep School Admissions
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Does anyone have any fun boarding school stories or experiences? Just curious since everyone I’ve talked to described the experience as a ton of fun.

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If you hang out here for a while, there will be a variety of experiences shared. You can scroll through old posts and see that there are some funny stories, sad stories, tough lessons and bonding experiences.

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Just some insights from my “Do’s & Don’t” list to add…

  • Do review YOUR expectations about boarding school - then discuss with your parents. Yours might be very different from theirs. This goes not only for choosing a “right fit” school, but also what your expectations are for the school you will be attending.

  • Do realize that if you are going to a BS in NE and coming from another region of the US or a different country that you may have a harder time adjusting than kids who live in NE or nearby, have already been to a Junior Boarding School, or have neighbors, friends, classmates from middle school there.

  • Do expect to see more “Repeats” than the school will tell you and some of these “Repeats” have advantages or a leg-up due to experience, having had courses before, or just being older.

  • Don’t compare yourself to others (either on here or at school).

  • Do prepare for a faster pace of study or course content - especially if you take Honors or accelerated courses at BS. Yes - faster than the Honors courses at the local day school back home.

  • Do prepare in advance for what to do when you feel lonely, stressed, or conflicted about why you are away at school. It will happen and this is part of normal teen stuff - just try to figure out what healthy steps you can take or will take when you feel down.

  • IF you are a student who needs accommodations or study help, do figure out in advance what resources are available at your school. Don’t wait until you are in way over your head before trying to figure out what kind of school-provided tutoring, extra-help, study skills help, or testing accommodations are available.

  • Do speak up in class.

  • Do go to office hours (I have given explanations @ this before).

  • Don’t expect to get the same amount of feedback or validation from teachers at BS that you received in middle school. For example, at Kiddo’s school teachers are known for writing “Excellent” or “outstanding” on your papers, then handing out a 85 for the grade. Also realize that just because you earned 95-100 on tests, it does not mean that your actual course grade will reflect that. Teachers may claim you didn’t participate enough in class…or (if you are at kiddo’s school), you may be fighting an uphill battle of a forced mean if 89.

  • Do realize that just because you are in Pre-Calc as an 8th grader, this does not necessarily mean you are prepared to take Calc as a 9th grader at BS (maybe @ some schools).

  • Do try to make friends with students in other grades - this is very helpful.

More later…

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