Teenagers are infamous for having strained relationships with their parents. Living away from home at a young age—at a boarding school in Western Massachusetts, perhaps—poses a unique challenge to this relationship.
Boarding students at Williston make the switch from living at home much earlier than kids who go to public school. While a majority of teens live at home until age 18, kids as young as 14 live on our campus during the school year.
Williston is home to 280 boarding students in grades 9-12. While dorm parents, proctors, and advisors are all important and supportive parts of campus life, they cannot replicate the experience of going home every day after school.
Praghya Athavan Raja, a senior from Saudi Arabia, keeps in touch with her parents by calling them twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. It can be tricky with the time difference, but keeping in touch with family is important to her. Despite the great geographical distance, Praghya feels living at boarding school has had a positive impact on her.
“Since coming to boarding school I’ve honestly built a closer relationship with my parents,” she said. “I’ve learned to enjoy the limited time I get with them during breaks.”
Although boarding school is a positive experience for her, it’s only natural to miss being at home with one’s family.
“I’ve learned to be more independent but at the same time, I do miss having my childhood and living with my parents,” Praghya said. “I feel as though now that I live separately, I have to be more responsible, and I miss being able to always depend on my parents.”
Vasu Jain, a senior from Japan, has been living away from home since he was 11 years old. He has spent seven years at boarding school, first in India and now here at Williston.
“I feel I have matured earlier than some, and the way I look at things has changed; I have become more confident in what I say, and how I act,” he said. “Although by going to a boarding school from a young age, you are going to sacrifice the time spent with your parents, this will help in the future.”
Vasu feels that the four years he’s been at Williston have been some of the best of his life. Beyond learning how to be more self-sufficient, he has made many friends and memories.
“The friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime, and the school offers an incredible curriculum that prepares you for the years you’ll spend in college,” he said. “I’ve had my ups and downs in Williston, but it’s helped me become resilient, which will help me deal with the bumps I’ll have at college.”
Abby Muscato, a sophomore who lives in Arlington, Va., had experience living away from her parents even before coming to Williston. Her dad was deployed almost every year when she was younger. She joked with her family before she came to Williston that this time, she is the one being deployed.
“We used the same techniques of keeping in touch with my dad during deployment with me at boarding school,” she said. “While it is sometimes tough not to come home and see my family, I realize that I will see them soon and all the great experiences I am gaining here.”
Abby also keeps in touch with her parents every day. She uses texting, FaceTime, and social media to stay connected. She said she tries to call them every day, or at least every other day. When looking forward to college, Abby feels as though her experience at Williston will help her to be more prepared.
“I have already had a similar experience [to college] for four years. While there will be some minor changes, the idea of living away from home and childhood friends will not be new for me,” she said.
Every year, Williston seniors graduate and head off to college where they live independently, and beyond the structure of Williston residential life. So, how do Williston alumni feel? Did Williston help prepare them to live away from home while at college?
Madison Hamilton ’21, graduated from Williston, and now attends York College in Pennsylvania. She thinks boarding at Williston helped her be more prepared for the college transition.
“I did keep in touch with my parents while at Williston, calling them multiple times a week,” she said. “I keep in touch with them the same way while at college.”
Lily Shields ’21, who now attends the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, agrees with Madison, and reflects fondly on her time living at Williston.
“My dorm parents throughout my four years had always felt like true parent figures, which I personally loved,” she said. “I always felt at home and in a comfortable environment. Williston has set me up for success as well as being able to be confident wherever I go.”
Lily lived relatively close to campus, which allowed for her parents to come visit her and support her endeavors at Williston.
“I can confidently say that Williston created a great bond between me and my parents,” she said.