Albert College - Review #6

I arrived at Albert College knowing I wanted more than good grades. What I discovered was that Albert could push me, not just academically, but morally and socially too. It wasn’t only about formulas or essays; there was a sense that character mattered. Being part of boarding life, watching the sunrise over Belleville, hearing about classmates’ lives from across the world, these things shaped me. For me, what made Albert unique was this blend of scholarship and community service. You couldn’t just coast, people expected you to contribute, to show up, to care.

Winning the Bill Walker Award for most valuable player in senior boys soccer felt like recognition not just for physical skill but for leadership and consistency. Also being part of the Environmental Committee’s initiatives that made a visible difference like planting trees, cleaning up spaces. When I entered Albert i was cautious, sometimes hesitant to put myself forward. I left wanting to push boundaries, speak up, take leadership, value kindness.

I might have engaged more with arts earlier and attended more performances, tried something outside my comfort zone. Also, I wish I asked for help sooner when concepts puzzled me rather than letting pride stall learning. My advice is don’t shy away from discomfort. Growth often hides behind things that feel awkward or hard. Also, invest in friendships because those people will carry you through more than you think.

What resonated most was the culture of care: not perfect, but authentic. People noticing when you’re struggling, when you need support, when you sigh more than usual and offering a hand.

Moments of calm will help you refocus. Engage in school beyond just grades, join committees, help others. They’ll remind you what you’re building isn’t just your résumé.

Albert’s academic load was serious. I often felt stretched with nights spent in the library wrestling with Calc or English essays. But teachers didn’t only assign, they explained. English taught me that a strong argument isn’t just about facts, but how you frame them with tone, clarity, voice. Mr. Greene in Math once said something that stuck which was “You’ll understand more from your mistakes than your successes.” I think that’s true; I failed some tests, turned in rough drafts, but each time I learned something useful. The rigor of work sometimes felt like walking uphill, but the view at the top was worth it.

Soccer was my anchor. The discipline of showing up when tired, of trusting teammates, of pushing past when the ball slips, when the rain hits. Coach Daniels pushed our stamina, but also celebrated small wins: clean passes, corners well delivered. I wasn’t always the scoring guy; I was more often defending, intercepting, helping others shine. That taught me humility and teamwork.

I wasn’t in the arts much, but I appreciated the people who were. I remember attending concerts, choir performances, the drama productions sitting in the audience and thinking that I want to encourage these kinds of moments in my own life. Occasionally, I helped with lighting or sets. Those nights felt magical with the lights, the hush, the spotlight. Even as someone more drawn to numbers and logic, those moments reminded me beauty matters.

Outside sport and class, I volunteered in peer tutoring, helping students in lower grades, especially in math. Also, in environmental work, organizing tree planting with the Environmental Committee. The service side was important; it gave meaning beyond my own achievement. Helping build something that benefits others gives a kind of satisfaction you don’t get from solo work.

Boarding was tough at first. Missing home, learning to share a room, figuring out how to coexist with someone whose schedule is opposite yours. But it also forced growth through patience, adaptability, empathy. Nights in the dorm lounge talking about family, fears, future plans are among my fondest memories. The dorm staff especially Mr. Jensen often checked in, making sure we were okay, especially during storms or when someone was under stress.

The dining hall meals had their ups and downs. Not every meal was memorable, but the ritual of gathering at tables mattered. Sharing laughter, complaints like what’s with the mystery meat and swapping stories. International nights where shots of different cultures were represented in food, those nights felt special. Food becomes more than fuel in a place like Albert, it becomes connection.

Belleville was quieter than I was used to, initially it felt slow. But soon I saw its perks of walks by the Bay of Quinte, coffee shops with cozy corners to study, small shops where clerks would chat, helping me feel less anonymous. On weekends I sometimes ventured into Kingston or Toronto with friends, which gave balance of the calm of Belleville and the energy of big city.

There were times when I felt out of place because social anxiety hits even when surrounded by people. But more often, I found my people through teammates, classmates, dorm mates. The mix of day students and boarders meant I learned to bridge worlds. Game nights, cheers at soccer matches, study groups, impromptu debates in the hallway. Those human interactions turned school into something more than schedules and assignments.