10 Ways to be Successful at a Boarding School

 

It is said that "kindness is the ability and desire to have a positive impact on others." People come to boarding schools from all over the world, and sometimes what they portray on the outside doesn’t fully reflect what they are feeling on the inside. It’s important to treat everyone around you with kindness – not just your peers but also the adults, as they work hard to make your experience unforgettable. This includes everyone, from the laundry staff to the quiet kid sitting at the back of the room. Who knows? That quiet kid might grow up to become the CEO of a biotechnology company, and maybe one day, you’ll be looking for a job.

Let’s be real: this is probably one of the most important things to do when you’re at boarding school. After all, success starts in the classroom, right? If you aren’t taking advantage of after-school or after-lunch tutorials that your school offers, then you’re doing it wrong. Boarding schools go to great lengths to ensure you have plenty of time to review, study, and hone your skills in particular subjects within the academic realm. Teachers will often be on duty in your boarding house in the evenings, which is another great opportunity to seek help and strengthen your foundation of knowledge. Protect your study time, seek to learn, grow and hopefully, change the world. 

3. Develop Resilience

Developing resilience is not something that happens overnight. It is a feat that takes years to materialize, so why not start now? This process involves building not only mental strength but emotional and physical strength as well. Boarding school will challenge you on all fronts, and it’s important to allow yourself to face adversity. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this experience?” Let adversity motivate you to become a better person and, in turn, prepare you for the less forgiving outside world. Regulate your emotions, build physical resilience, and treat yourself with kindness. What are you waiting for?

Boarding schools are a great place to take on leadership roles. Many schools offer positions across various levels, ranging from your boarding house and classroom to the sports field. These opportunities are not often available to young people around the world, so own the chance to become part of something bigger than yourself. Experience what it feels like to stand in front of a group of your peers and motivate them to achieve something they might not have been able to accomplish on their own. As you climb through the grades, take note of the student leaders you admire. What did they do to handle challenges? What makes them stand out? Develop key leadership skills such as communication and decision-making. If I can give you one piece of advice for a leadership role, it would be to learn how to take accountability. Extreme ownership is the pinnacle of leadership.

Boarding school can be quite busy, and for new students, it can feel overwhelming. You’ll typically have a structured schedule packed with a variety of activities, ranging from academics to late-evening events. Make use of your school’s digital or paper planner every day to track all your commitments and assignments throughout the week. Building a strong routine based on organization will help you navigate your timetable with ease.

Finding your sense of belonging is what boarding school is all about. It doesn’t need to happen the moment you drive through the front gates – sometimes, it takes time to find your place. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you are capable of discovering where you feel accepted. Belonging isn’t about fitting in or being “cool;” it’s about finding a place in the school where you can truly be yourself. Have you ever participated in an event or activity that brought you happiness and maybe even a sense of purpose? That’s it. That’s belonging. 

7. Make Your Bed Every Day

“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another, and by the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.” Who better to take advice from than Admiral William McRaven, the former commander of U.S. Special Operations. My favorite part of his speech at the University of Texas was when he said that even if you had the worst day, accomplished nothing, or failed completely, at least you would come home to a made bed. So, there you have it: make your bed. 

At your boarding school, hundreds – if not thousands – have come before you. They have worn your school crest and gone on into the wider world to serve a greater purpose. Your uniform is more than just a set of clothes you take off your rack every morning. When you wear your school uniform, you represent not only yourself but also your school and all the alumni who came before you. Take pride in your boarding school, conduct yourself with decorum and dignity while wearing your colors. Clean your clothes, iron your pants/kilt, and shine your shoes. By demonstrating that you take pride in your appearance, you will show your future self that you care about being presentable in a professional setting.

Why haven’t you called your parents today? They are probably wondering how you are doing. Believe it or not, your parents have likely sacrificed a lot in their lives to ensure your success. It’s not easy letting your children go off to a boarding school, so pick up the phone and ask them how their day was. I promise you, it will make their day.

10. Learn Good Manners

There is an old phrase, “manners maketh man,” which was coined by the medieval English scholar William of Wykeham. At the time, he was the Bishop of Winchester and the founder of New College, Oxford, in the 14th century. This phrase roughly translates to “your mannerisms and characteristics make you who you are.” Although the quote uses the term “man,” the lesson we can take from it today goes beyond a specific gender. Boarding schools are well-known for teaching good manners, whether in the dining hall or the classroom. Being well-mannered is key to success, not only in boarding school but also in life. People notice good manners, and all it takes is one moment of grace, and your life could change forever.