By Kevin Cho
When I stepped onto Deerfield Academy's beautiful countryside campus I was too struck by its beauty to appreciate the challenges of entering a private high school.
As I now reflect upon the busy months of my first term at boarding school, I am beginning to understand how this educational experience is not only making me a better student but also equipping me for a more independent and responsible lifestyle in the future.
The initial independence from my parents was exhilarating. I no longer needed to ask permission to play with my friends or to take some time to relax. Living in a dormitory, I was constantly surrounded by my peers and as a new student I naturally wanted to make friends.
Often, I was presented with the option of using my time to study or to socialize. At first, I chose to socialize. However, my independence also made the results of my decisions immediately apparent.
I started falling behind in classes ― namely Chemistry and Math. I was worried. Although I was enjoying the freedom of socializing with my friends, I reminded myself that I was in school; getting good grades was a top priority.
Ironically, the relationships I built earlier helped me most. Living in such constant proximity to my peers and teachers creates a learning environment with a support network. Both my Chemistry and Math teacher were more than happy to help me understand concepts outside of class hours. Furthermore, my classmates were always available to help me with tough problems.
Although it was not easy, with much support I raised my grades by the end of the term. Not all problems are solved so quickly and I am still learning. Like many new students at my school, I struggle with writing. Writing and speaking are invaluable skills in today's media-driven society. Although each essay I write is returned with glaringly red comments, I appreciate that it's an amazing environment to learn how to write clearly.
Writing skills are developed slowly with much practice, which is why attending a school that puts so much emphasis on humanities is a blessing. While it is a difficult skill to learn, effective written communications skills are needed beyond the classroom.
Time management is another skill I am learning that will continue to be useful in my future. When I entered boarding school, I was unaccustomed to having a two-hour study hall to do my homework, or curfew and Internet shut-off at 11 PM. I found it difficult to cram all of my homework into two hours a day without procrastinating.
After the first week, I realized that there was no time for chatting online on Instant Messenger, or to download music and watch movies on the computer. My procrastination caught up with me and I began to feel tired all day long.
The solution was simple-I needed to stop procrastinating. I needed to start assignments earlier. Working efficiently and using your time wisely is vital at boarding school. It is almost impossible to finish the homework allotted to a high school student in just two hours. But by starting assignments early and finishing homework in whenever time is available, completing one's homework and getting a good night's sleep is possible.
Boarding school thus far has been an experience in freedom and in responsibility. I had to mature much more quickly but have also enjoyed my life immensely. I am enjoying my winter break at home with my family, but at the same time I can't help but look forward to the new term.
Kevin Cho is a 10th grade student at Deerfield Academy in the United States.