Ridley College - Review #1

Ridley's business and economics program stands out because they focus on real world applications instead of just textbook theory. We did actual business projects that simulated real scenarios, which gave me practical skills I'm using now at Schulich School of Business. The other unique aspect is the house system at Ridley, which creates smaller communities within the larger school. It makes the social transition easier because you have a built-in group from day one. The location in St. Catharines is also different from schools in bigger cities. You're close enough to Toronto for trips but still have that campus community feel. The chapel services and focus on character development alongside academics created a values driven environment that shaped how I think about leadership now.

The best thing was discovering my passion for business through the economics and real world business projects at Ridley. Those experiences directly led me to Schulich School of Business where I'm now in second year. I also grew significantly in my ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, which has become central to how I approach business and leadership. The dorm experience taught me independence and how to navigate different personalities and situations. Working on projects that simulated actual business scenarios gave me confidence that I could handle complex problems. The friendships I built and the leadership opportunities through volleyball and house activities helped me develop skills I'm using now in my coaching role with Sportball and in my business studies.

I wouldn't change much honestly because I had a positive experience overall. Maybe I would have gotten involved in one or two more clubs earlier on, but I was pretty engaged as it was. My advice for incoming students is to embrace the house system and get involved with your house activities right away because that's where you'll find your core friend group. Don't stress too much about the academic transition because the support is there if you need it. Take advantage of the business and economics courses if you're interested in that field because the practical approach they take is really valuable. And be open to meeting people from different backgrounds because that diversity is one of Ridley's strengths.

Overall I'd say the combination of strong academics with real world application and the genuine sense of community were what I liked most about Ridley. The business program prepared me incredibly well for Schulich, and I'm seeing the benefits of that foundation now in my coursework. The social environment made boarding school enjoyable rather than something to just endure. The house system created belonging and the diverse student body exposed me to perspectives I wouldn't have encountered otherwise. The emphasis on character development and values alongside academics shaped how I think about leadership. Ridley gave me both the practical skills and the personal growth I needed to succeed at the next level.

Get involved with your house immediately because that's where you'll find your people. Take the business and economics courses seriously if you're interested in that path because the practical experience is gold. Don't be intimidated by volleyball tryouts or any other activity you want to try, just go for it. The dining hall gets old after a while so find your go-to meals that you know are reliable. St. Catharines has some good spots off campus worth checking out on weekends. Make friends across different grades and backgrounds because that diversity is part of what makes Ridley special.

The economics and business courses at Ridley were excellent and directly influenced my decision to pursue business at McMaster. What made them special was the emphasis on real life business scenarios rather than just memorizing concepts. We worked on projects that required us to think like actual business owners or marketers, analyzing problems and developing solutions. The teachers in the business department were knowledgeable and made the material relevant to current market conditions. The workload was challenging but felt purposeful rather than just busywork. Classes were discussion based which meant you had to actually engage with the material and defend your ideas. The academic environment encouraged collaboration and students helped each other understand difficult concepts. The preparation I got at Ridley made the transition to Schulich much smoother because I already understood business fundamentals and how to apply them practically.

I played volleyball at both competitive and recreational levels, which I appreciated because it gave flexibility depending on your commitment level and skill. The athletic facilities at Ridley were strong and the coaching was solid. The competitive volleyball program pushed me to improve technically and work as part of a team under pressure. The recreational options meant you could stay active even during off seasons or if you wanted something less intense. Athletics were valued at the school but not to the point where non-athletes felt excluded. The variety of sports available meant most people found something they enjoyed. The program did a good job balancing the competitive spirit with the understanding that not everyone was aiming for varsity college sports.

While I wasn't heavily involved in the arts personally, I saw that Ridley supported students who were. There were regular performances and exhibitions that showcased student work. The facilities for music and theatre were decent and the school made space for arts alongside the strong athletics and academics programs. Friends who were in drama or music seemed engaged and passionate about their work. The arts community had its own identity within the school and seemed tight knit. Ridley made an effort to be well rounded rather than just focusing on one area, which meant arts students had opportunities to develop their talents seriously.

Beyond volleyball I got involved with business related clubs and house activities. The house system created automatic extracurricular involvement because each house had events and competitions throughout the year. There were plenty of volunteer opportunities both on campus and in the St. Catharines community. The school encouraged service and giving back, which aligned with my own values. The range of clubs meant you could explore different interests without overcommitting. Some students were involved in everything while others focused on one or two activities, and both approaches were accepted. The extracurricular scene helped develop leadership skills and connections outside the classroom.

Dorm life at Ridley was actually really positive. The setup was comfortable and felt more like a community than just a place to sleep between classes. Having that built in social structure made it easier to adjust to being away from home. There were house activities and competitions that created bonding experiences. The dorm staff were supportive and available when needed but also gave us appropriate independence. There was some excitement around who would room with who each year. Weekends in the dorms could be fun with planned activities or just hanging out. The whole dorm experience taught me how to live with others and manage my own schedule without constant parental oversight.

The dining hall had set meal times which created a routine and also social opportunities because you'd see the same people regularly. The food quality was decent, nothing spectacular but reliable. There was enough variety that you could find something you liked most days. They accommodated different dietary needs which I noticed mattered to some students. The dining setup allowed you to sit with whoever you wanted, so meals became social time where you caught up with friends from different grades or houses. Sometimes the food got repetitive but that's probably true of any institutional dining. Overall it was functional and served its purpose of keeping everyone fed and creating community gathering times.

St. Catharines is a nice mid-sized city with enough going on that you don't feel isolated. The Niagara region has its own character and being relatively close to Toronto meant we could do day trips for bigger city experiences. There were shops, restaurants and entertainment options within reach when we had time off campus. The area felt safe and welcoming. Most of our time was spent on campus during the week because of schedules, but weekends offered opportunities to explore if you wanted. Some students had family in the region who they could visit. The location worked well for having a true campus experience while still having access to the broader community when needed.

The social scene at Ridley was genuinely good. I found it easy to make friends, partly because of the house system which gave you an instant community. People came from diverse backgrounds including international students, which made for interesting conversations and perspectives. The mix of boarding and day students created different social dynamics but overall everyone integrated well. Weekends had organized activities plus informal hangouts. The multilingual environment felt natural given the international student population and I appreciated being able to connect with people from different cultures. There were friend groups but they weren't exclusive in a negative way. Most people were welcoming and willing to include others. The social experience was a genuine highlight of my time there.