INTERVIEW WITH SHANNYIA MONGTA We spoke to Shannyia Mongta, who is a Year 10 boarder to find out what she appreciates most about being a boarder at CGS as well as what experiences made a positive impact on her boarding life. HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY AT BOARDING? When I wake up In the morning, I make sure my room is tidy then check my timetable to prepare for the day. I then go to breakfast, when I return, I have a bit of free time to check emails, brush my teeth and pack my bag to go to school. HOW DO YOU SPEND FREE TIME AT THE BOARDING HOUSE? When I’m not studying or doing co-curricular I usually go to the main common room with a friend to play pool or watch a movie, when I’m not in the common room I spend some time on my phone or in a friend’s room. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT BEING A BOARDING STUDENT? My favourite part about boarding is how my friends are just down the corridor and are constantly around to keep me company. HOW HAS BOARDING AFFECTED YOUR LIFE POSITIVELY? Boarding has had a positive impact on my life by offering me a sense of independence as I’m living away from home, and because I’m always at school and I have a set routine to follow, and it makes school much easier and organised in terms of study and co-curricular. WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED WHILST AT BOARDING AND HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE THEM ? I had felt a bit homesick as I first started boarding but quickly remembered that I have 50 new sisters that are going through the same experience that I could talk to. I also thought of all the opportunities that the school, especially boarding, have to offer and how I shouldn’t take that for granted. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER STUDENTS CONSIDERING BOARDING AS AN OPTION? Boarding brings a lot of challenges to face but also a lot of opportunities, it may be stressful at times, but you will always have the support of your peers and staff. I think that any student that is considering boarding as an option should absolutely go for it.
CGS OUTLOOK – SEMESTER 1 2022 | 9
