Bodwell High School - Review #5

What made Bodwell unique for me was how it encouraged us to think ahead and not just about schoolwork, but about our futures. I arrived as someone who loved art but wasn’t yet sure how to turn that passion into a career. Bodwell gave me the structure, the mentorship, and the encouragement to see my creativity as something serious and worth pursuing. I think the school stands out because it doesn’t just prepare you academically, it also prepares you for independence, responsibility, and confidence in who you are becoming.

The best thing that happened to me at Bodwell was realizing that I was capable of being independent and responsible for my own future. By the time I arrived at Savannah College of Art and Design, I felt fully prepared. I didn’t have the same anxieties as many of my peers because Bodwell had already taught me time management, responsibility, and how to balance academics with personal growth.

If I could change anything, I would have pushed myself to join even more activities early on, since they ended up being some of my most memorable experiences.

What I liked most about Bodwell was how much the teachers and advisors cared about us as individuals. They didn’t just prepare me academically; they believed in my dream of pursuing art as a career, and that belief gave me confidence.

For new students take advantage of everything, go to events and don’t be afraid to ask for help. One of my favorite spots on campus was the art room, where I spent countless hours sketching and dreaming about the future. If you have a passion, Bodwell will give you the tools and support to nurture it.

Bodwell’s academics prepared me better than I expected. As someone heading into an art-focused university, I didn’t realize how much the structure of writing, research, and planning would help me in creative fields. Classes in English and humanities built the foundation I now use in storytelling for illustration, while digital media courses sparked my interest in tools like Adobe Creative Suite. The teachers didn’t just grade us; they gave us feedback that made me grow. I especially remember how supportive my advisors were when I was building my portfolio for college applications, they made sure I was ready

Although athletics weren’t my main focus, I appreciated that Bodwell encouraged all students to participate in sports or physical activities. It gave me the chance to unwind, relieve stress, and stay healthy while balancing demanding academics and art projects.

This was where I felt most at home. Bodwell gave me both the freedom and the structure to grow as an artist. The facilities were supportive, and the teachers encouraged us to think beyond just technique, to use our art as a way of expressing identity and imagination. I was able to experiment with illustration, digital design, and other media that would later become central to my portfolio. Watching my friends in music and theatre was also inspiring, there was a sense of shared creativity across all the arts programs.

Clubs and extracurricular opportunities rounded out my experience. Whether it was student leadership events, cultural showcases, or group projects, these activities pushed me to engage with people from diverse backgrounds. They gave me skills in collaboration and communication, things I now use when working with clients in my online art commissions.

Living in the dorm was a huge step for me. It was my first time living away from home in Taiwan, and it taught me independence. Sharing space with students from all over the world was not always easy, but it was incredibly rewarding. Late-night conversations, sketching in common rooms, or simply sharing snacks became special memories. Dorm staff were also really supportive, making sure we had both structure and freedom.

The dining hall was a place where I learned about different cultures as much as I did about food. The variety of meals helped me feel at home, and I appreciated that it was also a social hub where friends gathered. For me, it was less about what was served and more about the conversations and connections that happened there.

North Vancouver felt safe and inspiring. I loved being surrounded by nature while still having easy access to the city. Weekend trips downtown for art exhibits or supplies became part of my routine, and I think this balance of quiet and vibrant life made Bodwell’s location very special.

Bodwell’s diversity made the social experience unique. I built friendships with people from many different countries, and those connections helped me grow more open-minded. I learned how to share my culture while also appreciating others. Those friendships are still important to me today, even as we’ve all gone on to different universities around the world.