How to Survive Boarding School

Hi, so, I spent 5 years at an all-girls boarding school, about 600km from home. I also had pretty bad anxiety at this state in my life. I was the kid who, when I was 12, was too scared to have a sleep over at my best friend's house. My dad used to have to come pick me up at 10pm when everyone was ready for bed. I know, how lame.

So, when people made the comment that boarding school was 'just like one big sleepover,' I panicked even more than I already was! I was super, super homesick for my first year at boarding, however it was honestly the best experience of my life (I used to HATE it when people told me I would be saying that one day...) By the time I graduated in year 12, I was crying because I had to leave!

Here are a few tips I have for 'surviving,' boarding school...

1. Understand that it's natural to feel homesick

Real Talk: I was homesick for practically 90% of my first year of boarding school. I cried almost every night and all I wanted to do was to go home. I was super problematic for my house mothers (I 'ran away,' a total of two times... and by run away I mean I walked 500 meters down the road to sit and cry at the river.) 

Although I may have been a bit dramatic at times, It's super natural to feel homesick. It's all about the way you deal with it. Boarding is definitely a case of what you make of it. Here are a few tips for combating those homesick blues:

Have a set bedtime routine:

• Make sure you're going to bed at a reasonable time every night. If you're finding it hard to sleep, make sure you have a warm drink before bed. Invest in a pillow spray to help relax yourself before bed. Get lost in a book for 20 minutes before you go to sleep to take your mind off those sad feelings.

Call your parents... But not at night:

• This is some of my most important life advice. I'm 20 and I call my parents twice a day, every day. Try call your parents at least once per day when you're boarding but done't call them at night. We all know homesickness rears its ugly head just before we go to bed so try call mum and dad in the morning when you're ready to take on the day!

Pro tip: Focus on 5 fun things you can tell your family, and only one negative.

Sunday is the worst:

• You're always going to feel worse on a Sunday night - ask any one! It even happens to me now - you have the whole week ahead of you and you're feeling a little flat after the weekend. Try and make this an activity night with your friends. Get out the Uno Cards and create a leader board. This was our favourite thing to do to take our mind off things.

Tutti Frutti was always our Sunday night activity in Year 12.

2. But don't feel guilty when you're not homesick

Chances are you'll find yourself having fun, who'd have known! Fun is allowed. Don't beat yourself up if your not feeling homesick. This sounds obvious but it's important.

3. Decorate your dorm room

This is such a fun thing to do. Make sure you bring a heap of photos from home. pin up any awards you win at school. Make a poster to put on your wall. Your room is your space so make it look that way! My room always had images of artworks I loved, letters my mum had written me and of course a few boy band posters...

L: My dorm room always ended up looking like a messy art studio! R: Zayn leaving One Direction was a big thing in our boarding house...

4. Try stay in the boarding house as much as possible

My friends are going to see this and call me a hypocrite! I never stayed in the boarding house on the weekends in my first year of boarding and in hindsight I wish I did! The first year is when you build bonds with the people you'll be living with for the next 5+ years. There are always activities on and things to do. By Year 12 I actually preferred staying in the boarding house on the weekends... 

5. It's okay to not like socials...

Socials are like discos. Don't get me wrong, they can be super fun and you get to meet heaps of new people! However, don't feel bad if you don't enjoy them. I didn't. I still went because I loved getting dressed up and hanging out with my mates but I wasn't about the whole social 'vibe.' I preferred getting back to the boarding house at the end of the night to have a Milo and a piece of Vegemite toast...

6. Be friends with everyone

You're literally going to have to spend years with these people. You'll spend more time with them than your family. Please, please don't try to be cliquey! Try get along with everyone, or at least be kind to everyone. A smile goes a long way.

You'll make friends for life in boarding.

7. Get involved with after school activities

Even if you don't like sport, join a team! It's a super good way to make friends with the kids who aren't boarders. Plus, sunlight is a great mood booster and getting active boosts your endorphin levels. Basically it will make you a whole lot happier!

8. Record your time

Take photos, write your room mates secret notes, save the chip packet from your sneaky midnight snacks. Keep a box with all the memories from your time at boarding school. Only last week I was going through all of the photos and videos we took throughout boarding experience and man, I wish I was back there! Now I have to do all of this boring adult stuff! Ew.

I really hope this helps you realise that your feelings are normal and that it definitely gets better!

Siobhan

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