Growing up, I was always someone that adored learning and school. New subjects invigorated me and I was so motivated to go to school each day. However, over the years this has gotten more and more lost. Among grades, college prep, and busy-ness, I have gotten so burned out that I have lost my spark for learning. School became simply about the grades/output and not about actual learning or interest. Each day was a slew of exhaustion and stress and I forgot my love of learning completely. Since being at Chewonki, it’s like an old side of myself has woken up. The classes are genuinely interesting and my life feels balanced instead of feeling consumed by my workload. When I curl up in my cabin at night, with a fire going and my cabin mates chatting and laughing, I feel tired and fulfilled from working on the farm and cooking dinner instead of a deep sense of exhaustion from a 3 hour caffeinated study session. Overall, from start to finish, the days are filled with balance and fun.

 

Mornings begin with the hustle bustle of the cabin and sunlight streaming in the window. My cabin mates and I groan to get out of our warm beds, play music to energize ourselves, and chat about what we are going to wear that day. From the moment I wake up, there’s an air of coziness and friendship. Some mornings, I will go for a sunrise walk or run before breakfast. This starts the day off with a beautiful sense of serenity and connection to nature. Whether with friends or alone, we have the freedom to explore down the road or in the woods as the sun comes up and the campus is still quiet. 

 

After breakfast, we usually have 3 classes before lunch, during which we do anything from exploring outside to identify species, cooking crepes in French immersion, or designing a sustainable model for one of the buildings here. I always understand why we are learning what we are, and it never feels like a filler class with no connection to real life.

 

Next, we have lunch. Homemade and often fresh from the farm, we crowd around tables to chat and eat. After lunch, we have either more classes, a field trip, or we work somewhere around campus, like on the farm or chopping wood. Then there is some free time during which you can sign out and go anywhere on campus, or hang out in your cabin with friends, then we have dinner and study hours. The community here is so welcoming and there’s always a crowd of people in the dining hall who are playing games, playing instruments, or just having deep conversations.

 

The night ends usually by late night talks with your friends or finishing up homework on your bed. The days are packed with memories, balance, and genuine excitement to be here and to learn. It’s a place to rediscover the non-stressed version of yourself and learn to love school again.