Countdown to School?

<p>So, I have to be on campus in 16 days, and it would be a complete understatement to say that I'm not nervous. I'm beyond nervous. I've been at the same school since 4th grade, and the actuality of boarding school is starting to set in. We have orientation week and then the first day of classes is the 25th. I'm honestly just super nervous and starting to wonder if I'll like it, if I jumped the gun, etc etc etc. I'm sure I'll love it, but I'm a really shy person (until you get to know me, then you're embarrassed to call me your friend ahha) and I'm nervous I won't like my roommate or I'll get lost, or something like that. How can I shake these nerves? And, to make matters worse, my cousin who went to the school I'm going to is coming up with my mom and I to help me get settled and I'm nervous he's going to embarrass me in front of any teachers since he recently graduated a few years ago. </p>

<p>Oh god, someone tell me I'm not the only one who feels like this. </p>

<p>Cup of chamomile tea and biscuits should hep you loosen up. </p>

<p>@mrnephew‌ I hate tea more than a lot of things haha, and it’s almost 2 so I’m too lazy to leave the comfort of my bed to get a biscuit (you sounded pretty posh, would you like a crumpet too? haha)</p>

<p>First of all: your nerves are normal. Lots of kids are nervous beyond belief on the first day (and before) but no one admits it until much, much later. There’s a definite culture at my boarding school of pretending to have everything under control all the time, but it’s very much an act. “Fake it Till You Make It” is not a bad coping strategy for many, but knowing that everyone else isn’t as calm and collected as they seem may help ease your worries. </p>

<p>Your first semester at boarding school will be a mix of the good and the bad. For some kids, it helps to know that going in. What if you don’t like your roommate? Well, then you’ll find a way to live in peace in the room, and you’ll find better friends down the hall or in your classes. What if it takes a while to find your crowd? It’s almost certain to; many kids don’t find their way until Thanksgiving, Christmas, second semester–it doesn’t mean it will be all misery until then, just lots of ups and downs. A few downs doesn’t mean you’ve made a terrible mistake. Remember to reach out to the adults at school as well as talking to your family about your concerns. I do a brisk business in introducing kids to other kids I think will hit it off, or sending kids towards activities/sports/clubs where I think they will fit in, and I do it subtly so it doesn’t look like I’m helping out. Last May, my students finally started laughing in a big group about all the behind the scenes work I did to help them find their place here. Boarding School grown ups (especially at small schools) really do want you to thrive and succeed socially as well as academically.</p>

<p>Boarding School Orientations are an extrovert’s game. As a very shy person, I find the first few weeks exhausting because so many of the kids are in hyperdrive. Let them carry you along, and remember that shy people have to be patient and play a longer game. Don’t expect to find your best friend on day one. Just focus on the things you like, and don’t be thrown when you have your first hard day or hard week. CC is all about the dreaming, imagining, and fetishizing about the idea of boarding school; the reality is that it remains as tough as adolescence always is, but with some unique excitements and challenges and opportunities. Don’t expect a land of gold raining from the skies; it’s still high school after all, and high school can be hard.</p>

<p>And as for your potentially embarrassing cousin… if he’s a recent graduate of the school, it’s really likely that the teachers will remember him fondly (we tend to have rose colored hindsight for graduates). And now I’m going to say something that you probably won’t believe: adults at boarding school will not judge you based on the actions of your family. We just won’t. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen kids shrivel and shrink in embarrassment over something their parents said which I did not think was embarrassing or shameful at all. And yet, here are these poor kids melting into the floor, or shooting dagger looks at their folks, who I just think are nice. The other secret to remember is that no one is really listening or paying attention to anything that first day. As a teacher on a big dorm, I will have dozens of move-in day conversations, but really, I am on friendly autopilot because I find all the energy and noise and nervousness overwhelming. Odds are that your cousin and mom could dance the funky chicken dance in the middle of the room and the dorm parents wouldn’t blink, much less think you are weird because of something your relatives did. And let’s face it: they’re not going to do that. The worst thing is someone will make a joke that you interpret as horrifying, but which everyone else sees as an attempt to ease a big, scary, transition. You will be okay.</p>

<p>Even for domestic kids, Boarding School is like moving to a foreign country. Don’t expect everything to be familiar and like home, stay open to the unique rhythms of the new place, give yourself time to adjust, and remember that nervousness will pass. You’re on the adventure of a lifetime.</p>

<p>Albion, that’s wonderful advice. I’m going to cut and paste this for my DS, who will embark on this adventure in a month. </p>

<p>I just wish I could go to boarding school too . . . .</p>

<p>@Albion‌ yeah, great advice! It calmed my nerves for a little bit haha, and I’m still nervous. But, I’m excited beyond belief at the same time. </p>

<p>Isn’t it an awesome feeling though? It’s like me the night before a big performance, for example, youre nervous but you’re super excited at the same time. </p>

<p>@mrnephew‌ it’s really awesome, don’t get me wrong (I’m smiling just thinking about it). I got all my dorm stuff that I didn’t have in the mail today and it’s just super real. I’m volunteering all week though so that’s been taking my mind off of things a bit haha. Nervous, but excited. </p>

<p>Hahahah Nwddad I copied and pasted Albions post to my daughter’s email and then read your post. She probably will read it and it and roll her eyes, but I need to have her read it. And, I agree about wanting to go to boarding school - when I die I want to come back as one of my kids!!</p>

<p>My nerves have settled a bit. This tuesday I’m meeting with a guy who’s going to be in my class at Saint James for lunch or something. My aunt is going to be there which makes things more awkward than it already is but I suppose it will be nice going into school and knowing someones name haha.</p>

<p>I feel nervous too. Everything is just coming at me so quickly and while I’ve been waiting and dreaming about boarding school for the past 2 years, it’s never seemed real. And now, I’m realizing it is real and I’m terrified. I expected to be a better and different person before I left, and I’m not that person yet. But I think I’m ok with that. it’s just all hitting me as reality in rapid increments and I’m just scared. I’m ready but I’m not ready. </p>

<p>I leave on Friday to go to my school. Orientation is Saturday, and school starts on Monday. I am so incredibly excited about it, but I’m also really scared. I started texting my roommate last week, and I’ve met two other girls who are new boarders as well. I’m so excited, because all three seem really nice! I can’t wait for it to get here, but at the same time, I’m getting second thoughts. It’s crazy to think that this time next week I will have finished my first day of school. </p>

<p>@Writer4Life‌ yeah, I leave Saturday morning and I have to be on campus at 9ish I think (I live an hour away from campus haha). We have orientation week, and we have our first classes on the 23rd, but those are just like introductory, getting to know people and stuff. First real day of classes is on the 25th. Like I said, I’m meeting a guy who will be in my grade at Saint James tomorrow. We don’t know who our roommates are until the first day haha so it’s super nerve racking. </p>

<p>@forestfall‌ I know exactly how you’re feeling! Except, I only thought about boarding school for just over a year haha. But at first, it seemed like a cool idea, and now the actuality is setting in and its like “woah”. All the people I met on campus for my shadow day were so nice so I’m really excited! I’m going to feel so bad if I end up hating it haha, but I HIGHLY doubt that’ll happen(: good luck on your first day!</p>

<p>I can relate. I’ve been dreaming about my school since I went there when I was like 9. Even thinking about September 3, gives me butterflies!</p>

<p>@sorifootball13‌ I’ve only been seriously thinking about it since last summer, but the idea of boarding school was always welcomed. My dad went to Mercersburg, which is literally steps away from where we ski (cause it’s closest haha, two hours), so ever since 4th grade, whenever my dad and I went up to ski, we’d walk around the campus. I think it’s super ironic that I’ll be attending Mercersburg’s rival school (Saint James) this fall. I had been on the campus of SJS once before for my cousins graduation in 2009 however I think I was so bored I didn’t pay attention. My dad wouldn’t admit it, but he was NOT happy when I decided I liked Saint James a lot more than Mercersburg, but he forced a smile. Anyways, I have to be on campus THIS SATURDAY which is so crazy. I’m nervous and excited all at once. </p>

<p>@ccnaf14‌ How was your first day? Is it as great as you hoped? :)</p>

<p>@forestfall‌ It was great! Today marked my first week and I’ve already had so much fun, I made the volleyball team after serious cuts, and the teachers for my two favorite classes are the best!</p>

<p>I’m glad you had so much fun; I hoped it goes as well for me. <em>nervous smile</em> I got put in contact with another girl who’s going so at least I won’t be alone!</p>

<p>@forestfall‌ I’ve been here for almost two weeks now, just be ready for guy/girl drama… there’s a LOT of it. </p>