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How to prepare
How to prepare
Things to do, practical skills, things to think about
Things to do, practical skills, things to think about
Take photos of your family and friends (and pets) and bring them with you
Arrange a time to say goodbye to your friends and take a group photo
Eat your favourite food from home and learn how to cook it
Learn how to wash up the dishes and use a dishwasher if you have one
Learn how to sort your washing, iron and organise your laundry
Get practise at getting up in the morning without someone waking you up, and getting to bed at night without someone reminding you
If you don't already know, learn how to put sheets on your bed and change a duvet cover
Find out if your favourite snacks and ingredients are available in Singapore and get some to bring with you if they aren't
Talk to your family about when and how often you will talk or video call when in boarding - it is good to have a fixed time each day or two or three times each week that works for you and them. Consider the time difference around the world.
Talk to your family about money and your budget.
Write yourself a letter about what you are looking forward to and what you are scared about and give it to your family to keep until the next time you come home
The first few days
The first few days
It's different for everyone - you do you
It's different for everyone - you do you
Everything will seem very different, particularly if this is your first time away from home, this is ok - give yourself time to get used to everyone and the routines. We will all help you settle in.
It's ok if you are occasionally homesick, and it's ok if you are not. Be honest and talk to your houseparents or roommates about how you are feeling
If you can't remember, ask! It is helpful to everyone to ask questions or someone's name more than once.
Don't worry about getting lost. Boarders, staff and day students will help you find where you need to go until you are feeling more confident
There will be lots of names, places and things to remember. Don't worry - just try to do a few at a time
School will be different to what you are used to. Watch how others in your class behave and what they call the teacher if you aren't sure what to do
Get lots of rest - sleep early at night. It can be really tiring going to classes in a new environment and a new language
Talk to people. Talk to people in boarding, in your mentor group, in school, at dinner, at lunch. Most of them will talk back and become your friends
Ask your houseparents for help with any challenges or if you are not sure of something
What to expect in the first weeks and month
What to expect in the first weeks and month
You will make friends - you just don't know their names yet
You will get lost, you will forget someone's name, you will need to ask where something is or what something means, and it will be OK!
You will get to know boarding and the people around you faster than you think
You will sometimes feel great and sometimes not so great. They are both ok and normal
You will miss some people and things from home. This is also normal
You will do things here and meet people that you have never imagined you would
You will discover that you can do things you've never done before and that there is more in you than you think
These coming years are likely to be some of the best days of your life- we mean it!
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