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Brentwood College changed how I see what a school can do. It wasn’t just about collecting credits or making it to graduation but it was about being forged by wind, water, and community. What makes Brentwood unique is its way of integrating the natural environment into learning with the ocean, the forests, rowing early in the mornings, and seeing how those physical challenges match the academic ones. Also, the school teaches you to stand up, speak clearly, and take responsibility, not just for your own grades but for your community. From the moment I stepped onto Brentwood’s campus, I sensed it wasn’t just about academics, it was about crafting character. What makes Brentwood stand out to me is how many leadership opportunities are built in. I served as House Captain in Ellis House, Arts Captain, and Rugby Captain, roles that taught me responsibility early, and not just to myself but to others. Also, the balance between rigorous academics and outdoor, athletic, and arts experiences meant I wasn’t one-dimensional; I was always pushed to grow in multiple directions.

Best thing that happened? Growing into someone who believes they can lead, challenge themselves, recover from setbacks. Being House Captain, Rugby Captain, Arts Captain, even when I felt out of depth, those roles made me stretch. The moments when I thought I couldn’t, but then did, are what I’m proud of.

What I would have done differently is pushed myself even earlier to take leadership, tried more arts even if unsure, spoken up in classes when afraid. My advice to future Brentwood students is embrace challenges that feel outside your comfort zone. Show up whether you feel ready or not. The growth is in the stretch.

What I liked most was that Brentwood expects more of you but gives you support to meet those expectations. The combination of physical challenge, academic depth, leadership responsibility, and community caring is rare. I didn’t just leave with grades, I left with confidence, clarity, and a sense that I mattered.

If you’re coming to Brentwood volunteer for house roles, because you’ll learn more than you think. Take art classes, even if they scare you. Get into sport whether you’re “good” or not, the discipline matters. Find somebody like a teacher, coach, peer you trust, talk with them. And enjoy the views (ocean, forest, campus) because those moments will stick.

Academically, Brentwood was demanding and I thrived in that environment. What I liked most was that teachers expected more than just correct answers, they expected clarity, curiosity, and follow-through. When I made mistakes, I learned to analyze why, not just move on. Courses in math, science, humanities all had depth, and often intertwined: for example, arts and English assignments required research skills, critical thinking, and creativity. The teachers were accessible. I remember Ms Lee staying after class or during study periods to help me refine writing, understand complex concepts in classes, or work through rugby scheduling conflicts. Those interactions made a huge difference.

Rugby was central to my Brentwood identity. The intensity of practices, the early mornings in rain or cold, the pressure in matches all built grit. The coaches focused not just on fitness and strategy, but on team culture: respect, accountability, pushing each other, being dependable. While rugby was my main sport, I also took part in general fitness, perhaps cross-training or intramurals, to stay balanced. Athletics taught me discipline, time management (squeezing in training plus homework), and how success is built gradually.

I deeply appreciated them. They gave me perspective when academics were intense. Helping with arts projects with setting up stages, organizing props, assisting in the performance logistics showed me that community effort in arts is as important as obvious performance roles. Also, art and drama nights were some of the most memorable. They were stress relievers, but also places where friends bonded, personalities showed, and creativity flourished.

Beyond sports and arts, I volunteered in house-mentoring, helping younger students settle in, especially those new to Brentwood or new to B.C. life. I was part of debate/public policy forums (IPPF), which taught me research, speaking, and thinking on my feet. Also took part in leadership roles in Ellis House: planning community-building events, helping to organize social functions, ensuring that younger students felt heard. These roles were not always glamorous, but they taught me that leadership is often the small consistent things like showing up, listening, stepping in.

Spending time in residence events, house nights, overnight retreats, house breakfasts, all those living-together moments shaped my social skills. Sharing space, late-night study sessions or conversations, being responsible for communal areas, respecting routines all these taught me independence, empathy, and how to support others when the going is tough.

Meals were a staple of community. Having breakfast in the dining hall before early practice, dinners where you debriefed your day with friends and teachers, weekend meals that became social rituals, these were anchors in busy weeks. The variety of food helped; often there was enough range that international students or students missing home had something comfortingly familiar. Also, during busy test weeks, having consistent, healthy meals mattered more than I thought it would.

Brentwood’s location by the water, surrounded by forests, but still access to towns and services meant weekends could be restorative. Trips to the ocean, hikes, kayaking or paddleboarding, or just a cafe escape in Mill Bay. Those natural settings recharged me. At the same time, being in British Columbia meant exposure to broader cultural and academic events like guest speakers, workshops, sometimes trips off-campus that added dimension to school life.

My social life was rich with overlapping communities made up of teammates, house peers, arts friends, debate partners. Friendship wasn’t always easy but it took putting myself out there but once connections formed, they were strong. Moments I remember: laughing with house during prep nights, impromptu conversations after practice, realization that even when you mess up, people notice if you try. The support structure of peers, house mentors, coaches worked well.