I’ve been at my school for the last 7 years – which is a long time, through some very awkward years. Which, yes, means that the majority of my embarrassing phases and bad decisions have occurred here, and, luckily for me, have been captured on the school’s social media accounts. Thankfully, over the last seven years, I’ve learned a few things. In an effort to help out those who may be just starting, I compiled 17 things I’ve learned in the last 7 years.
- Your advisor will save your life. Repeatedly. Possibly on a daily basis. They’re basically superheroes, but with the powers of organization and support.
- Appreciate the teachers that support you- they make your life feel full of purpose and are willing to help you succeed. We are lucky, because we have an above average number of this type of teacher, and it is the effort and care they add to the community that makes it a place that, as Mr. Grainger likes to say, “cares more and works harder”. These teachers truly teach by example.
- If you ask to be let out from class early to go to lunch, you won’t be let out from class early to go to lunch.
When your teacher lets you out of class early because they, too, want to go to lunch early
- Trying a little bit of everything will help you discover what you love, but don’t be afraid to not love everything you try. Overloading yourself with extra-curriculars you don’t enjoy isn’t fun for anybody- you’ll end up exhausted and unhappy.
- The lack of sleep competition that exists around here is a construct, and it’s not worth competing in. No amount of coffee can replace decent sleep – trust me, I’ve tried.
- Don’t take advantage of kind adults, whether it be a teacher, housemaster, an RA, or property-Eventually they’ll get fed up, and their lenience will dwindle.
- Don’t be afraid to disconnect from technology. Some of the best experiences occur because you have no choice but to live in the moment.
- It does not matter how old you are, butter chicken day is terrifying, and there is always a chance you will be trampled in the Osler line.
an accurate representation of Osler
- The only thing scarier than butter chicken day is lava cake day.
- Patience is a virtue, but patience doesn’t necessarily mean stagnancy; good results require work.
- Not everything worth doing is fun. Some of the most incredible, life changing experiences are challenging and frustrating, but they’re still worth it – even if it’s just so you can tell wild stories, like the time a monkey broke into your room and stole your stuff
- Teachers teach more than just content. Sometimes, the best lessons aren’t the ones they teach in class, but the ones you learn by seeing someone who honestly loves their job, or simply has found happiness.
- Dear grade eights: If you don’t totally understand what’s going on in Mr. Murray’s math class, don’t worry too much – the most difficult material will be taught again in future math classes. Like grade 12 calculus.
- Don’t be afraid to approach life with outstretched arms. You may catch a lot of bad stuff, but you’ll catch a lot of good stuff too. Plus, the bad stuff will be really good for creative writing projects and university applications.
- Teachers are human -It’s mind-blowing, I know.
- Look at the world like the Bickle boys: Even if you aren’t winning, you’re here, and that, in itself is worth celebrating
- Find something that is a source happiness, an everyday joy, and hold on to it.
