How to Prepare for Boarding School
Going to boarding school is a time of anticipation and excitement, but it can also engender nervous anxiety. After all, leaving home and living in a new place for an extended period can rattle anyone's nerves, let alone someone of school age. Preparing properly for boarding school can ease this anxiety tremendously.
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Instructions
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Write down a list of everything you need. Call the boarding school and ask for a list of recommended items. Also, ask the officials at the boarding school what you can and can't have on school grounds. Some boarding schools have limits on what and how much stuff you can bring with you.
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Talk to friends and family about their boarding school experiences. These people have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. If you don't know anyone, ask the school if they have any current students willing to talk to you.
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Visit the boarding school and take a detailed tour. Most people have been on the typical school tour before attending a boarding school. However, this may not be sufficient to get a proper feel for the school. Give the school a call and ask if you can visit on your own and see things at your own pace.
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Start preparing at least a few weeks in advance of the departure. If you start the preparation early, you are less likely to feel rushed or nervous when it comes time to leave. You also decrease the chances of forgetting something at home.
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Pack something that reminds you of home. This way you can battle homesickness and feel more at home while at school.
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Speak with your parents about ways to stay in contact with them. Get email and cell phone numbers or whatever means you all decide is the best way to contact each other. Understand that it's okay to contact them if you get homesick.
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Ask the boarding school for the contact information of your assigned roommate for the year. Getting to know this person before you leave for school will ease the anxiety of living with a new person.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember that everyone else is just as nervous as you are. They may not show it outwardly, but they're trying to find their place, too.
Remind yourself that this is only temporary, and you can return home once the session is over. Boarding school may seem intimidating because you have to leave your home. But it's only for a short time, though it may seem longer.
