Benefits of a round-the-clock learning experience

Attending boarding school – living on campus and being part of a diverse community – intrinsically means that students have opportunities to learn at every moment of the day. From the moment they wake up to the time they turn out the lights, students at boarding schools are engaging their minds. They are communicating with their peers and teachers and learning new concepts in the classroom. They are becoming well-rounded individuals through their extra-curricular interests and their interpersonal relationships. To some, it may seem that this is an overwhelming amount of tasks to accomplish on a day-to-day basis. In reality, the opportunity to engage in round-the-clock learning is an exciting and beneficial option for high school students.

Academics

A round-the-clock learning experience is one that allows students to keep their brains turned on and engaged while not necessarily always participating in classroom learning. One major privilege of boarding school is that students who are especially interested in pursuing their academic interests have access to the facilities and support they need to excel in their subjects of choice. Learning and living in the same place means that students have the opportunity to use science labs, music rooms and art studios for extra projects outside of class hours.

Another perk of the round-the-clock learning experience is that students always have extra academic support when they need it. Many teachers and advisors live on campus and are able to assist with homework or provide remedial tutoring after class or on the weekends. Students also have the opportunity to tutor their peers, which symbiotically benefits all students involved. The tutors get to fine-tune the concepts they’re already familiar with, while the tutees learn from a peer who may be able to teach the concepts in a different way.

Extracurricular activities

Students who attend boarding school and have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a diverse residential community are able to extend their learning far beyond the classroom. While there is constant academic enrichment, students also learn from their extra-curricular activities such as clubs and sports. These after-school learning opportunities allow students to explore new interests. Students can engage parts of their brains that they maybe don’t get to during the day, through music or athletics. Being part of a team or a club teaches important social skills about collaboration, teamwork and leadership.

Languages

Learning becomes a common denominator for their entire lives. Students at boarding school are constantly learning about their peers, themselves, and the wide world around them. Many of the students here at EF Academy casually learn a second, third or fourth language just from engaging with their friends who speak different languages. For those who are learning new languages in the classroom, they always have a chance to practice their listening and speaking skills with native speakers.

Soft skills and independence

A round-the-clock learning experience gives students a space to develop soft skills in addition to the academic subjects they study during the school day. These things are part of an important skill set that they will use for the rest of their lives, things like communicating with friends and roommates. Students learn how to be sensitive to cultural differences and how to navigate language barriers. They also learn independence as they live away from home and figure out how to navigate things like sharing space, doing laundry, and missing home. These important people skills and the independence that comes with living in a residential community are invaluable traits for a successful future.

Being in a round-the-clock learning environment like a boarding school can be overwhelming at times. There is always something going on and, sometimes, not a lot of time for relaxation. The most important thing about having the opportunity to learn all the time is that it’s a great way for students to tailor their learning and living to their own needs. Because of this immersive environment, students at boarding school quickly find the learning methods that work best for them. Outside of the classroom, they have the freedom to choose how, when, and what they learn. No matter what passions they choose to pursue, they always have an excellent support system. Their peers, teachers and advisors are ready to help them discover their interests and keep their love of learning strong.