If someone is in a similar situation, the three things that I Learned Once I Left Boarding School are:
1. Embrace new experiences
The boat is leaving the dock whether you get on or not. This analogy just means tomorrow will come, and eventually, you will get older whether you are prepared or not. You shouldn’t mope around and complain so much because you might just miss out on all the beautiful and rewarding experiences you desperately want but are too afraid to enjoy.
After my first year at Bellaire, I decided to get active in church and at my school. It was time to participate in new experiences and dive into my creative side. I enjoyed acting at church and in my Theater class. I learned how to push myself to learn lines quickly, and as performance day came nearer, I enjoyed preparing for the role to the fullest capacity. I enjoyed getting fit and pushing myself in the 400m race.
You have to take on new experiences because I guarantee you those people that you left behind are not thinking about you. You are staying stagnant while they are boarding on the boat and choosing their seats. And if they really want to be an active person in your life, tell them to send you a Whatsapp message! You mustn’t live in the past. And yes, I am talking to myself here. I tend to look back at past mistakes or situations that I needed to be more transparent in my communication, but looking back and pondering what I should have done or said is distracting me from what I need to do or say currently. The past can help direct and make clear decisions about our future. So, I am not saying to disregard it entirely, but we (I) must not try hard to go back there and reverse the result.
I am improving, and sometimes I still replay the scenes in my mind. However, I don’t spend as much time as I used to. What has helped me combat this poor strategy of praying to reverse time is to educate through my experiences using my blog and Youtube channel. I remember Dr. Dharius Daniels, the pastor of Change Church, said the only way to get rid of a bad past is to have a beautiful future. These words are so helpful to remember through trying times and when the enemy wants to use your past to make you feel small and keep you comfortable instead stay more determined to prove the enemy wrong.
2. Encourage Someone
Use the knowledge that you have gained and learned to encourage or help someone else. Let me tell you something; every person has a purpose to fulfill. Our days on Earth are so limited, and I strive to touch someone’s life in an impactful way. My boarding school experiences that I share with you are meant to enlighten and help you feel more prepared than I was.
When I went to boarding school, I was confused, I either wanted to run back to my hometown in the United States or be a day student at the school I attended and most days, I just didn’t want to be there because I was in unfamiliar territory. However, the independence and survival techniques that I practice today were first exposed because I was out of my comfort zone. When I look back, the experience was necessary. Not only because I can tell you what I learned, but I can heal and make room for what GOD has planned for me.
Essentially, use that confusion and despair to speak life to someone else. Another thing Dr. Dharius Daniels said is “to admit that it hurt so you can get healed.” He also said, “until you find a reason to live beyond YOU, you won’t find joy.” Remember, there is a difference between happiness and joy.
3. Transitions must happen
The transition process is not a mistake; it must happen. The transition stage can look different for various situations. For instance, the transition from sophomore to junior year in college requires looking and applying for internships to hopefully secure a job after graduation. Changes and molding must occur because your perseverance and faith will be your testimony when you get out.
So to recap:
- 1. Embrace new experiences.
2. Encourage someone.
3. Transitions must happen.
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