When I came to St. Mark’s in fifth grade, I had no clue how much this place would mean to me by the time I was a senior.
But day after day, the place in my heart that these grounds hold has grown.
And now, as I look back on my time as a Marksman, I couldn’t be more proud.
I leave with no regrets and with a confidence that this school instilled within me as it does in every student.
So as I prepare to say goodbye, I want to leave my top eight (not in order of importance) tips for a great St. Mark’s experience so students who follow after me can fulfill their path to manhood the best they can:
1: Use a calendar. Like, actually use one. My friends and those around me know I have a robust, multicolored calendar. Block out time for work, for school, for responsibilities, but also for fun and friends. By having your time organized, you don’t have to spend time wondering what to do; you already know what you should be doing.
2: Say hi. When you see a kid in your grade, greet him by name. When you see a younger student, give them a high five. When you see a teacher, smile and say hello. People are what make St. Mark’s so special, and that is only possible with the connections we share. So foster them daily.
3: It’s a great day to have a day. Mindset is key, and it’s easy to get slogged down in the tough workload, especially in upper school. Look for the joy in each day, though, and appreciate the moments that make you grow and the moments you spend with your classmates.
4: Work Hard, Play Hard (David Guetta reference). While your school work should be a priority, make sure to find time to enjoy life outside of the books. Dive into a sport you love. Spend time with people you love. Further develop hobbies you love.
5: Go outside. When you have a free period and you can take a minute to walk somewhere on campus, do that. Take a minute to appreciate the campus that we enjoy every day. Look at the trees, the pond, the quad. Appreciate it.
6: Listen to music. Music makes doing work and life so much more fun. Whether it’s bonding with my lax friends over house music, discussing best studying music playlists, or preparing playlists for homecoming, music keeps things fun.
7: Go to sports games. Try and go to as many as you can in as many different sports as you can. It is great to see your classmates in all of their athletic pursuits, and it is a great way to see new parts of the community.
8: Involve yourself. The more you can involve yourself in the St. Mark’s community, the more you and those around you will grow. When everyone buys in, the collective gets so much better.
As I say “Let’s get started” to a new chapter in my life, I encourage each student to consider these tips as they continue on their journey as a Marksman.
