<p>Hey!
I am entering second form at Groton School and wanted to know if there is anything you guys wish you had known about Groton/ Prep School?
Tips about:
- Academics
- Sports
- Social Life
- Everyday Life
- Teachers
- Dorm Room
And just helpful tips in general!
Thanks!</p>
<p>second form = 9th grade?</p>
<p>I sent you a message </p>
<p>@deltabot No, it is 8th Grade…
@Ironmom1 I got it! Thank you!</p>
<p>Has anyone received their schedules yet?</p>
<p>My son hasn’t gotten any information on schedules. We are also anxious to hear about roommates, but it seems as this point that we may not hear anything.<br>
It was nice, however, to get the schedule for the first couple of days. It made everything feel much more real. The part about saying goodbye to your parents before the orientation meeting was especially difficult for me!</p>
<p>I would count on receiving your schedules by the 18th and certainly no later than the 25th or 26th. We students have to order our books online, either through a school-affiliated website or websites like Amazon and eCampus. </p>
<ul>
<li>Academics</li>
<li><p>Do your homework. You’ll be in Second Form, so you’ll have study hall for the next three years. Utilize this time. I didn’t fully learn this lesson until I was sophomore, and coincidentally that was the year I fully hit my stride.</p></li>
<li><p>Sports</p></li>
<li><p>Everyone plays sports. Don’t worry about being too bad and don’t worry about being too good. We don’t really judge each other based on our athletic abilities. Being at such a small school, there is a very high chance that you will have been on a varsity team or starred in a drama production by the time you graduate. The success of our sports teams are hit or miss, and it highly fluctuates year to year even within one team.</p></li>
<li><p>Social Life</p></li>
<li><p>Make sure to be involved. Don’t fall into the trap of studying too much. Everyone will be new, so really get to know your formmates. Groton’s small, and first impressions can be hard to shake. It sounds shallow, but establish a reputation. And by this, I don’t mean to try too hard to become someone you’re not; I mean to respect your peers and make an effort to be the best you can be.</p></li>
<li><p>Everyday Life</p></li>
<li><p>Lower school is easy. Daily schedule for you will be:
7am: Wake up
7:30: Breakfast
8: Chapel
8:20: Roll Call
8:45: Classes
10:20: Conference Period (with milk and cookies!)
10:45: Classes
12pm: Lunch
12:30: Classes
3:30: Sports practices
5: Dinner / hangout time
8: Study Hall
9:30: Check In
10: Lights Out</p></li>
</ul>
<p>There are half-days on Wednesday and Saturday, and Sunday is pretty much open with Catholic Mass at 8am, Chapel at 11am, or Buddhist-Hindu Saga at 6:30pm.</p>
<ul>
<li>Teachers</li>
<li><p>The vast majority of teachers are there to help you and want to see you succeed. Groton will be tough, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help. Teachers are part of almost every aspect of your Groton life.</p></li>
<li><p>Dorm Room</p></li>
<li><p>Second Formers live together in a big open space. Your “doors” are curtains, and your “room” is a cubicle type space. Don’t be afraid, though, my Second Form room (and year, for that matter) was my favorite. Fortunately/unfortunately, the boys’ dorm is much better than the girls’ dorm.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Enjoy yourself at Groton and post or PM if you have any more questions! Good luck!</p>
<p>@GrotonSmart Thank You!
@Jackets01 Are you entering second form also?</p>
<p>Yes, have a daughter going into 2nd form. Have you met any other 2nd formers on CC?</p>
<p>@jackets01 No, I have been searching forever but haven’t been able to find any!</p>
<p>We live in Georgia…are you in the states or international?
So excited to meet everyone when school starts…getting closer!!</p>
<p>@jackets01
I live in Florida! And me too!</p>
<p>I am the Mom of a rising V former who entered as a second former- feel free to PM me with any questions</p>
<p>Oh and we live in FL too!!! :)</p>
<p>@MDMomofTwo Thank you so much! And I will be sure to! </p>
<p>Hi I’m applying for Groton 2nd form this year -2015-2016-. Would you mind giving me some tips on the application process? The interview, essays, SSAT’s , current resume. Or like what grades and extra-curriculars. And could you tell me about the diversity of the schools? Thanks 
</p>
<p>This year’s intake of new students was a new record of 50% non-white.</p>
<p>I think that you aren’t hearing from many students as they are hard at work. My son just started and is a third former. He absolutely loves it. He didn’t have perfect grades nor a 99 SSAT. He had a couple of small hooks, but the admission staff said that the most important thing was character. They really want to see kids who are caring and truly passionate about what they do. I think that you must meet academic minimums, but then they will try to build a well rounded class. They want diversity, athletes, musicians and all that. You just never know who else is applying.
Best of luck, it’s a wonderful school!</p>
<p>Best advice would be to get started early! Begin SSAT prep around October, request letters of recommendation in November, and aim to take the SSAT and attend on-campus interviews in December.</p>
<p>Our daughter is in second form this year and is having the best time. Make no mistake–the work load is demanding and time management is critical, but it is worth it.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any other questions regarding 2nd form. Good luck!</p>