Packing for Boarding School: What Students Wish They Brought
Every fall, when students return to boarding school – or arrive for the first time – they bring suitcases and totes packed with clothing for many occasions, toiletries, and decorations for their dorms. Invariably, some students will forget something, or think of something they wish they had brought with them. Admissions Assistant Ms. Kieran Ward recently canvassed experienced boarders to find out what items they would recommend that new students bring to campus.
In the Admissions Office, our team works with incoming families to support the transition into all things Shawnigan. At this stage of the year, we are transitioning from supporting families through the admissions process (submitting documents, providing admissions decisions, educating families on the School, campus visits, etc.) to setting them up for a successful transition onto campus. With students planning their move to our campus from all corners of the world, common questions revolve around what to pack.
In late spring each year, new families who will be joining us in the fall receive a packing list, as well as some exciting promotional material made by our Student Council and Advancement Team. This year’s information will feature a video made by one of our students, and a Spotify playlist made by current students filled with songs that our students love to listen to.
In addition to the standard packing list distributed, we asked Shawnigan students of all ages to name some things they wish they had packed when they first came to Shawnigan.
- Black and gold attire for spirit days (the wackier the better!)
- Photos of friends and family for your room
- A small fan for warmer nights
- Two sets of sheets/bedding (and proper ones that won’t slide off the corners of the bed)
- Stationery items (pens, pencils, rulers, etc. that you like to use)
- Organizational drawers/bins for your desk and closet shelves
- Clothes in your House colours for inter-House competition (You will find out in late August which House/colours this will be.)
- Command hooks
- Reusable water bottle and coffee mug
- Extension cord, power bar and adaptor (for international students if needed)
- Slippers
- Desk/make-up mirror and desk light
- Alarm clock/night light
- Mattress topper
- Comfort food and snacks (This was by far the most mentioned item!)
If you’re travelling from an international country or from somewhere you need to fly from, many of these items could be purchased after you get to Vancouver Island. Many students choose to bring their summer and fall clothing with them in September, and then swap it out for winter and Ski Week attire at December break.
Packing a suitcase to move to boarding school can seem like a daunting task. Hopefully these tips and tricks will help prepare for the boarding school journey. They are by no means required items, but things that might help make for a successful experience.
For more information about boarding at Shawnigan, please email admissions@shawnigan.ca
Ms. Kieran Ward is an Admissions Assistant at Shawnigan Lake School. She is in her third year at the School, having worked as a teaching intern, a live-in staff member of Groves’ House, and in the Events and External Programs department before joining Admissions. She also coaches ice hockey and rugby.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
