College Prep
As our seniors prepare to graduate this school year, they face a rapidly approaching shift in their life; the transition to college. While all of our sixth-formers are keen to move into a new period of their education and begin to solidify their place in the world, many face the looming realization that in a few months they will be on their own. Chris James, a graduated prefect, was happy to share how Saint James aided him in this shift to collegiate life, through building social skills, time management, and being comfortable in leaving your comfort zone.
Socially, college is an exciting, bustling environment. There are hundreds of clubs to join, and even more people to meet. This is a daunting change for many seniors across the world, but the transition for Saint James students is a piece of cake. Chris expressed that learning to introduce yourself to new people and make lasting connections is an invaluable skill in the real world. He recalled the close-knit community of Saint James, and how the clubs, sports teams, and even seated meals in our refectory require kids to interact and get along with people they don’t know yet. These relationship skills and confidence in a new social scene have helped Chris adjust very well to college, and are sure to help graduating sixth formers as well.
The opportunities college provides are limitless, but a student’s time and energy are not. Study hall is a core point of a Saint James student’s life. Learning to set aside an hour or two per day of uninterrupted work time puts kids miles ahead of most college students who may not have yet discovered this skill on their own. Chris shared how when one reaches college, there are many deadlines and contingencies to work with, and having the discipline to allocate personal time towards those responsibilities has been a major asset. He made sure to say as well that while work is important, so is getting out and having fun!
Saint James has made athletes out of academically inclined students, history scholars out of those much more inclined to do math, and musicians out of those who had never picked up an instrument. The commonality between all of those developments is that each student was willing to step out of their comfort zone. In Chris’s Saint James journey, he joined new clubs, played new sports, and most amazingly of all, took an AP math course. Those who know Chris know that he is not a fan of math. He even loves to go to pickleball club, where he met two of his best friends. College is a hotbed of new ideas and groups to join. Being able to converse and work with those who have different ideas or values, and being willing to start from the bottom at a new skill or hobby is necessary to a well rounded academic experience.
So, to our graduating sixth formers, don’t worry about the adjustment period! You’ve adjusted and learnt more than you know during your time here at school.