by Jeff Wang’26 & Lucas Jiang’26
Coming into a new school can be a very stressful experience. Perhaps you are having difficulties adjusting to a boarding school environment. Perhaps you are overwhelmed with the large amounts of homework you have. Perhaps everything seems to be going well for you, and you just wanted some advice from the people who have gone through it all. In any case, you have come to the right place. We present to you: the Survival Guide to St. Mark’s.
School Rules & Tips:
By Jeff
There are a large number of rules in the St. Mark’s student handbook, and it is easy to get lost in all the dos and don’ts. Here, we have listed out some of the most important rules that you should keep in mind as you go about your day:
We all know that there is a dress code here that you have to follow. But you are generally allowed to wear any shirt/hoodie with a St. Mark’s logo on it, or just a plain shirt with no text written on it.
Make sure to stay on top of your attendance. This may go without saying, but the attendance policy here is very strict. Failing to attend any event will result in an absence. Multiple absences can lead to detentions, and eventually meetings with the deans. The consequences stack very quickly, so in case an absence is given incorrectly, speak with your teacher and the deans as soon as you can.
Make sure to talk with an adult before you leave campus. Even if you are just going out for a walk during the weekends, you should always check with a faculty member before leaving campus. In addition, an Orah pass must be submitted and approved, or you may be faced with serious disciplinary consequences.
Some areas of campus are only available to seniors. The quad in front of the school’s entrance, the elevated area in the dining hall, and the innermost room in the library are all off-limits to all other forms. Nonetheless, seniors can invite you to join them in the dining hall or the library, and you may then proceed to enjoy those senior privileges as well.
Cool/Useful Places on Campus:
View from Patterson Marr common area
The second floor of the library provides individual space for students to study by themselves, especially the smaller study rooms. However, this area is usually closed during weekends.
The crypt is a peaceful space that many use for meditation and reflection. As you enter the chapel, walk down the aisle and take a left. Go down the set of stairs, and you will find a series of meditation rugs, and tunnels surrounding the area.
There are several study rooms in the new dorm. They are located mostly on the second and third floors and can be seen right when you walk out of the stairway. These study rooms are great places to do group projects or hang out with friends in general.
A porch outside the admissions office overlooks the football field and the new dorm. One can easily spend a sunny afternoon lounging on the chairs while enjoying the view and the weather.
The Lion’s Den, next to the center, serves snacks when the cafeteria is closed. Make sure to say hi to Bryant!
Small tips and details to help you throughout the day:
By Lucas
Morning
As boarders, our past experience concludes that the ideal time for waking up is anywhere from 7 to 7:40 am. If you are an early bird, the doors to the dorms are alarmed from 11 pm to 6 am each day, and the dining hall opens at 7 am. Keep this in mind if you wish to begin your day early.
If you are hungry during the day, here are some places to grab a snack. Mr. Loranger created a student resource center in his classroom, STEM 86, or the STEM building basement. There are a variety of snacks in the room as well as office supplies and hygiene products that are for students to take. Shoutout to Mr. Loranger for creating such a great resource for students. The Lion’s Den and the school store also have snacks for you to purchase. Keep a lookout for cookie Tuesdays and the occasional ice cream truck too.
As for lunch, there are not many options. Apart from the service in the dining hall, you can also visit the sandwich bar or the salad bar for a quick meal, especially on Wednesdays. The Lion’s Den is closed during FLIK dining hours. Food delivery or a trip into Southborough is not allowed during the academic day.
Afternoon
During a community block, the library, Burnett, and the Center are usually crowded with people. These places are great if you want to hang out with friends, but from time to time you might appreciate some serenity too. Outside of the CPR, a single gray couch can provide solace to those looking for a peaceful free block (if there isn’t a meeting in the CPR). On a side note, the bathrooms outside of the CPR are also arguably two of the best bathrooms on campus. A personal favorite is the second floor of the PFAC, where there is a row of couches that people rarely visit. If you are lucky, there might even be piano or violin music coming from the practice rooms
Evening (for boarders)
As your sports practice ends, a delectable dinner is definitely a welcoming sight. Since the academic day is over, you are free to order from food delivery. A trip to Southborough is another viable option, but do remember to submit a “Walk/Run Southborough” pass on Orah and receive verbal permission from a faculty member.
As study hall begins, you might become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of homework. Notion is a great tool that can help organize your to-do list, take notes, journal, and even collaborate on group projects. It can be accessed via a website on your computer or an app on your phone.
Conclusion
Adjusting to a new environment can be difficult. We hope that you learned something from this article, as this advice helped us navigate through our life at St. Mark’s. Good luck!