<p>Today was my first day at my new boarding school, as a third former, with no experience. Here are some tips for everyone new to BS:
1. During registration, talk with people while waiting in line. It gives you a head start on finding friends.
2. Don't be awkward around your roommate, you only have one and don't want to start it off the wrong way.
3. If you see a teacher you have, say hi! Give a good first impression.
4. Introduce yourself to EVERYONE.
5. Be social, instead of hanging in your room like I am right now, go out to common areas with your roommate.
6. Hold the doors open: it not only is common good but it gives a good first impression.
7. Do NOT start to think that what grade someone is matters: it doesn't.
8. Talk to everyone, student, staff or family of a student.
9. If you have an advisor, ask her/him to point out other people in your advisory.
10. Do not be afraid to ask for directions!
11. Ask for help if you need it, everyone is there to help and wants to.
12. Make peace with everyone, don't get an enemy on the first day.
13. If you know someone going, go out of your way to talk to them, they're just as nervous as you are.
14. THERES NO REASON TO BE NERVOUS!
15. Have fun!</p>
<p>I know it's broad but I have to be social and take my own advice for once. Good luck at your boarding schools!</p>
<p>I have to disagree just a little bit with SOME of OP’s suggestions, but only to say that the advice doesn’t apply to everyone. OP is obviously naturally gregarious. Some of you aren’t, and that’s ok. Don’t force it. Definitely be friendly and don’t make enemies (but it’s hard to see how you could realistically make an enemy on the first day…), but otherwise, just be yourself. DON’T think that if you don’t rack up 30 friends in the first few weeks, you’re behind some sort of schedule. I’m older (much older), and I can promise you that as you go through life, you’ll encounter many new group situations. There will always be those who try very hard to be involved in everything and to get to know everyone as soon as possible. They almost never remain friends with the people they tried so hard to meet early on. This is not a knock on their personalities, but a reflection of reality. True friendship only happens over time, and it will occur naturally. Just focus on getting oriented, getting your books, being a nice person, and don’t worry about making a big splash right away. Be yourselves.</p>
<p>Albion posted this in another thread. It’s good advice and worth repeating here, particularly the last part about the orientation period:</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>During 1st week of boarding school, and after pouring the liquid laundry detergent inside, GMTson1 learned that clothes dryer is not a front-load washing machine.</p>
<p>My first day is in 9 days!!! Ahh! Everyone where I live is in school already, so I’m just taking the excuse to be a hermit. I’m going to miss getting to be alone and wear pajamas all day. As an introvert I’m absolutely terrified of the socializing I’ll have to do once I’m at school. </p>
<p>@usernamess when I get to school people are going to ask me what I did this summer and all I will be able to say is “uhhh… The summer reading?” :P</p>
<p>@Nwbddad I agree! And actually, I’m not too social but I found it much easier than expected to come out of my shell. </p>
<p>@forestfall Don’t be nervous! Like I said above, it’s a lot more easy than you think. You’ll have a great time, promise! It’s scary at first because you think “oh God, this is real” but then once the actuality hits you, it’s not that bad. Good luck on your first day!</p>
<p>@boardinghopes I ended up at Saint James, it’s a small boarding school in Hagerstown, Maryland. It’s Mercersburg’s rival school (my dad was NOT happy when I decided SJS over his alma mater). It doesn’t have the facilities or the funding that some schools have, but I think it’s a hidden jem. My classes are ridiculously small (7-13 people), everyone I’ve met have been super friendly, and the teachers are so nice. My first week has been amazing!</p>
<p>Don’t push yourself too hard and follow #1-#15. You have enough time to adjust later. I don’t mean to be hostile to people but to be generally kind and friendly. That’s all. There is no golden rule on the first week. </p>