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Day in the Life - Isabela Grade 11

Before School

I wake up around 7:00 am to my alarm and get ready for school while my roommate and I listen to music from our favorite combined playlist. By 7:30 am, I am ready to dart down to breakfast with my dorm friends and hang out with them before school starts.

A DAY

A Block - AP Spanish Language

I walk into the classroom just in time to avoid being marked tardy, yet late enough to have enjoyed every minute of my favorite meal: breakfast. I take my usual seat at the table, which remains in the same perfect semicircular arrangement since the start of the school year. From engaging discussions that put my Spanish to the test to competitive games that push me to go beyond my boundaries, this class helps me improve my skills and become progressively better prepared to use the language outside the classroom. 

Club Time

As I head to our club meeting, I can feel the excitement building, and I head towards my favorite place on campus: the Schmidt Family Science Center. Today is an important day for my club; after months of planning, we finally have the honor of talking to a guest and specialist from the science department. This is just one of the many exciting experiences we have in the Science National Honor Society club. Besides hosting admirable experts, our club is a place where students can express their passion for science, engage in meaningful discussions, and share innovative ideas. 

C Block - Honors Biology

As soon as I step through the door of the most fun class ever, I immediately scan the room, searching to find something awkward and funny lying in Mr. Campanero’s classroom. This class is dynamic and full of surprises. It is known for captivating even the least science-minded students with its exciting approach. Interesting notes, challenging labs, creative group activities, and even homework are given in ways that spark curiosity. 

E Block - Advanced Research 

Though it is one of the smallest classrooms in the school,  it is where my ideas find the most room to grow. On the top floor of the Henderson Hall, tucked away from the noise, this class allows me to freely study in depth about my favorite topics. Recently, I’ve been working on a personal project on neuro-oxidation. Each time I attend this class, I not only improve my research skills, but I also leave with a new set of questions and a drive to be more curious.

G Block - AP Chemistry 

AP Chemistry sounds intimidating. Honestly, it is, but somehow it has become one of my favorite classes. Labs are a big part of this course, where we actually put what we’ve learned into practice. The school's extensive equipment gives space for failure, success, risk-taking, and, most importantly, learning. What makes this class special, though, is Ms. Martin. Surprisingly, she manages to turn the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics into personal anecdotes from her own life, and suddenly, chemistry is everywhere. Turns out, molecular bonds are not the only bonds formed here; challenging problems combined with Ms. Martin’s fun stories have allowed for friendships to form.

B DAY

B Block - Free Period

This is my resource period, a period that taught me to use my time wisely. I use this period to get ahead on homework, cram for upcoming tests, and to seek extra help. I usually go to the Cohen Center, which is the perfect place if you're looking for a balance between working and talking. There is never a shortage of people to study with or take a five-minute study break. However, sometimes I need something quieter; Saint Andrew’s has an infinite number of outdoor spaces, from fountain benches to little corners spread across the campus. This is the kind of place where you can find the right environment for whatever studying or relaxing moment you need.

D Block - IB English Language and Literature Yr. 1

English class starts the same way every time, phone in the box, and the mind is engaged. More than anything, this class is based on engagement. This class is all about learning to put personal biases aside and truly connect with the author’s perspective, which is harder than it sounds. We work on this challenge through discussions and extensive writing. Every literary and non-literary piece also provides something bigger than the pretty words on the page. Literature reflects the real world, helping us make sense of abstract concepts. 

Lunch

After a long morning of locking in, stepping into Mariani Great Hall feels like a welcome chaos. Freshman “accidentally” cutting the line, pizza sneaking between periods, and the hunt for a table in the middle of hungry students is part of Mariani’s charm. The most rewarding part, however, is reuniting with your friends in the middle of the school day and bonding over the same reason: hunger. Plus, the food is actually really good. 

F Block - AP Psychology

Walking into AP Psychology, I immediately feel Ms. Smith’s calm presence, and somehow that makes a potentially overwhelming class feel manageable. Yes, there are a lot of terms to learn, but the way that we discuss them in class makes it easier to memorize everything. We do dynamic activities, engage with our classmates, and use the psychology of learning to efficiently get through this course.

H Block - AP Precalculus (AB)

Math has a reputation for being stressful. However, not in this class. My teacher, Dr. Winer,  is really organized, and her structured teaching style makes even the most complex topics feel manageable. During class, we learn new concepts and practice a lot. Mrs. Winer is supportive during class time and is also very often available for extra help. At Saint Andrew’s, I find myself truly enjoying math and not stressing out about it (most of the time). 

After School

When the bell rings, I rush back to my dorm, scramble to get ready, and I walk across campus, once again, and arrive at rehearsal right on time. The moment I open the door of the studio, my peers’ welcoming energy immediately invites me to join the group on another day of dance. This is the time of my day when I can move, relieve stress, and let myself go with the music. Dance is like taking a long breath. It is rewarding and necessary. 

After this, I go to dinner in Mariani Great Hall with my dorm friends. Dinner has become an important meal to me, not because of the food, however, but because of catching up. Dinner is a place where people meet and talk about the most random things, reminding us that school isn’t just academics; it’s also friendships and memories.

Evening Time as a Residential Life Student

Study hall begins at 7:30 pm. I check in at the girls' lounge with a teacher and go to the math lab in the library straight away. In Henderson Hall, I get all my work done and study for the upcoming assessment. This library is the perfect place to be productive. 

After study hall, three times a week, I find myself in the performing arts building with the same group of people. We run through the pieces that we’ve been working on for our band, and there’s something satisfying about hearing it all come together after practicing on my own the whole week. Between songs, I hang out with my friends and have a fun study break. Music is the reason we’re all in the same room in the first place, but at this point, it is also an excuse to spend some time with people that I like.

Additional Aspects of Being a Residential Life Student

  • The school opens the weight room at specific times every day for residential life students. 
  • The school also opens the gyms, the field, and the courts almost every day for residential life students.
  • The performing arts building is open most nights of the week for those who are interested in music and acting. 
  • On weekends, the activities vary. Some of them are on campus, and others are outside of the campus. Some of the latest activities were:
    • Bowling 
    • Mini golf
    • Movie theater run 
    • Paintball
    • Beach van run
    • Restaurants
  • There is an annual event called the Residential Life Olympics. This consists of an entire day of a friendly competition that brings the boarding students together as a community.
  • There are many volunteer opportunities on campus for residential life students, and they are usually really fun.
  • Every Monday night, we sit on the library floor, light some candles, turn the lights off, and read poetry with Ms. Robinson. This is one of my favorite things about living on campus (it is a lot more fun than it sounds). 
  • Every Wednesday, there are snacks after study hall. We know the snacks will be good when they are at Mr. Shapiro’s house. 
  • In the middle of all the academic rush and chaos, the best thing to do is to walk towards the lake at the end of the day, look at the pink sky, and contemplate the beauty of the campus of Saint Andrew’s.