A Word From Our Boarders

A word from our boarders: o n l i n e l e a r n i n g a t m a r y m o u n t

What is it like studying at home?

“I have surprisingly really enjoyed studying at home; it is a really new experience as I always do my work at school, being a boarder, but it’s really nice seeing my friends and teachers every day. My friends and I have formed little study groups together so we don’t feel too alone and that has worked out well as we motivate each other to be productive.” Kiana (Grade 10) - UK

“Initially, studying at home was a challenge because, as a boarder, my home is typically associated with holidays in my brain: I grappled with being as productive and efficient as I am in school. However, the schedule and flexibility of it provided the much-needed structure to improve my learning. I am particularly grateful to have my family around me to support me. I have discovered that I do enjoy studying at home, although it tests my responsibility and time management, but I do miss being on the campus and in boarding.” Chinua (Grade 9) - Nigeria

“I had to find my own motivation to do the work I was given as there were many distractions around me. However, as school continued online, I learnt how to adjust. Even though studying from home was a big change, I believe that my teachers have gone above and beyond to accommodate me in this transition.” Adeoyin (Grade 11) - Nigeria

Did you board at Marymount? Share your favourite memories with us by emailing alumnae@marymountlondon.com. Your memory could make it into the next Marymount Matters!

school goal 3: To instill a life-long love of learning

Tell us about a funny moment that’s happened since you’ve been at home.

“Being at home has definitely made me lazier when it comes to getting ready in the morning; I have a bit of a reputation for staying in my pyjamas all day. Although he didn’t explicitly say my name, Mr. Robertson took the liberty of calling me out for this during homeroom. I couldn’t stop laughing and from now on I make sure I get ready in the morning no matter what.” Kiana (Grade 10) - UK

“As a family, we are quite loud which gets a bit hectic when various people are on conference calls. There was a certain day when the noise reached its peak. There was some banging going on in the kitchen, my dad was on his own call, and my mother was in a very engaging conversation. However, the different sounds soon died down just in time for my turn to speak in class and as soon as I began, a car alarm went off. The timing was quite hilarious and I could not help but burst out laughing.” Chinua (Grade 9) - Nigeria

“The funniest moments in quarantine would have to be when my family and I play the board game Cluedo, and my brother makes the game more competitive than it needs to be. In the end, if he does not win, he tries to prove one of us is cheating. It very funny to us when he loses.” Caterina (Grade 10) - Spain

“One night my mother and I were watching a movie when suddenly we saw a fast, little brown shadow running across the room. We turned on the light and the creature ran again…it was a cockroach. My mom quickly sprayed the insecticide from a distance. The cockroach began to run faster, without direction. My mom ran to hit it with the flip flop, but she forgot that the floor was slippery due to the insecticide and she slipped. Fortunately, she hit the cockroach, but she fell almost on top of it. Anxiously she hit the cockroach again, just in case. I still laugh a lot when I think about that night.” Luisa (Grade 10) - Mexico

“Since being in lockdown, I have missed boarding pancake nights. I decided that I would make pancakes for myself, only for the store not to have flour. So, every morning for about three weeks, I would go to the shops at 5:30am and wait for them to open in hope of buying flour. I found myself one morning arriving at the shelves and finding, once again, that there was no flour. I stood there frozen, staring at the shelves, hoping that the flour would just appear out of thin air. One of the employees saw me staring at the shelves, checked in the back and found some. I was so happy that I bought two bags of flour and when I got home, I feasted on pancakes until I could not eat anymore.” Adeoyin (Grade 11) - Nigeria

What do you love most about boarding at Marymount?

“I love meeting up with my group of friends for breakfast and dinner. I miss Miss Chou looking through the window during study time to make sure we are doing our work. I miss getting checked on by houseparents.” Dylan (Grade 8) - UK

“I definitely love the people the most out of boarding at Marymount. The students and houseparents bring such a warm atmosphere and it is hard not to love them. I enjoy the nights at boarding just spending time with my friends and sitting and talking for hours after dinner, as well as making pancakes together on Friday evenings. I can’t wait until September when we are reunited again.” Chinua (Grade 9) - Nigeria

“My friends. I don’t know if I love them because we were so close and they have become my family, or because they are the most amazing people I’ve ever met, or both. I love waffles for breakfast, I’ve been trying to find them in Mexico, but it’s impossible! I love hugging Vanina, talking to Marguerite, exploring the universe (mentally) with Isabel, and waking up Beth in the morning. And especially the waffles!!” Luisa (Grade 10) - Mexico

“I love cooking with my friend every weekend, playing cards, having conversations, and sleepovers. I have boarded at Marymount for three years, and it has become my life. Being away means that memories of everyday life in boarding have become very precious to me.” Haewon (Grade 11) – South Korea

“Boarding has been my home for almost six years and I can’t wait to get back to seeing my friends and houseparents when all of this chaos is over. I enjoy the routine of getting ready for school, trying to get my roommate to get out of bed, saying good morning to the houseparents at breakfast, then throwing myself onto my bed after a long day and having dinner with all of my friends. I truly can’t wait to hug everyone when we are back after the summer, and eat the food Miss Chou makes for us on Wednesdays as we just chat together.” Kiana (Grade 10) - UK