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When I reflect on my years at Brentwood, what stands out most is how the school pushed me not just to accumulate achievements, but to develop integrity, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. Coming from Prince Rupert and growing into the McGill environment, I owe much of my academic confidence to what I gained at Brentwood. What made it unique relative to other boarding or day schools was how seriously the faculty treated the arts, sciences, and global awareness equally. Teachers never made you feel like you had to sacrifice one passion for another. Additionally, being amidst the coastal setting, Brentwood made the outdoors part of education like rowing, nature walks, marine biology trips (if offered), leadership outdoors, that kind of hands-on experience helped shape how I learn. Also, the sense of community was strong: because classes are small and students are spread over grades, older students often mentor younger ones, which made the school feel more familial than competitive.

The best thing that happened to me at Brentwood was seeing myself grow into someone who could lead, voice ideas, and balance many things: academics, personal projects, social contribution. Earning good grades, exploring communications & marketing, preparing for McGill, all those were built on foundation laid at Brentwood.

If I could have done something differently, I’d have said yes to more leadership roles earlier; asked more questions when I didn’t understand; pushed myself out of comfort zones more often. My advice for boarding (or school) students is engage fully, don’t be afraid of stepping forward or making mistakes, those moments become your strongest lessons.

I loved that Brentwood didn’t define success narrowly. They valued curiosity, kindness, creativity, and community just as much as grades. The balance of challenging academics, opportunities, nature, supportive peers is what made it special.

If you’re going to Brentwood, build relationships with teachers, find your circle of friends, explore your interests even the ones you don’t think are “practical.” Also, find your sanctuary on campus, maybe a bench near the water, or the art studio, or a quiet hallway. Those unexpected moments of calm become anchors.

The academic load at Brentwood was preety heavy but also supportive. What I liked most was how teachers expected us to dig deeper not just memorize, but understand, question, and apply. In my courses at Brentwood, I often had assignments that overlapped different disciplines and that is history, environmental science, literature; sometimes tying into global issues. That kind of learning prepared me very well for university-level expectations. Also, feedback was meaningful. Teachers would take time to help me understand what I’d done well and where I could improve not just in terms of grades, but in thinking, writing style, and critical reasoning. The diversity of classes including electives that allowed me to pursue interests in communications or social sciences gave me both a strong foundation and freedom to explore.

I wasn’t the most athletic person, but I appreciated the athletic culture at Brentwood. I often joined fitness or team sports not necessarily to compete but to balance my studies and decompress. The rowing team and outdoor sports in particular stood out: early morning practices taught discipline, stamina, and teamwork. Coaches emphasized personal improvement and sportsmanship over just winning, which made participating rewarding even if I wasn’t always on the top team.

Visual arts and music played a background but important role in my school life. I would often attend theatre productions, art exhibits, or concerts put on by students. Those events were not just entertaining rather they showed me that creativity was taken seriously at Brentwood, and that there was space for students to express themselves, not just academically but artistically. I also experimented with design/communications projects in school events making posters, helping with media for school plays or concerts. Even small involvement allowed me to see the value of aesthetics, storytelling, and creativity in all areas of life.

Brentwood offered many extra-curricular chances. I volunteered locally (e.g., community cleanups, peer tutoring) and participated in clubs that aligned with my interests i.e. communications, possibly debate or leadership clubs. One club helped me develop public speaking, which later helped in university settings. What I liked most is how these opportunities weren’t separate from the academic culture; they complemented it. The school pushed you to have balance, to contribute, to lead, and to serve not as extra burdens but as essential parts of who you become.

I was a day student, so dorm life was not my day-to-day, but I had many friends who were boarders, and being into residence for events or staying over gave me insight into the dorm culture: supportive peers, house mentors, shared meals, study evenings, laughs, and late-night conversations. That sense of closeness and informal mentoring was powerful. If I had boarded, I believe it would have deepened my connection to the school and my community even more.

Meals at Brentwood were more than routine; they were gatherings. Breakfasts before early practice or mornings of study sessions, and dinners where students, teachers, and sometimes coaches gathered, these were moments for bonding. The food variety was good, and I remember enjoying whatever was on rotation that resonated with home or comfort (e.g., maybe something akin to a hearty breakfast or certain local dishes when available).

Being on Vancouver Island meant a blend of rural-beauty and access to greater urban centers. Local small towns, nature, seascapes, hikes, and forests provided peace and perspective. On weekends, friends and I would go into nearby towns, explore cafés, go kayaking or forest walks. That closeness to nature helped balance intense academic pressure.

Friends at Brentwood came from many places. Because classes are small, friendships formed across grades. Grade 10 students advising Grade 8s, older students welcoming through orientation, etc. Social life was a mix of organized events (theme nights, house competitions, arts/music performances) and more spontaneous hangouts like study groups, walks, cafe visits, late evening chats. What I liked most was how inclusive many students were; even if you're new or not naturally outgoing, there are peers and mentors who reach out. I felt socially supported, especially during transitions (like becoming senior years or preparing for university).