Darlington School has taught me of academic study, life-long lessons, and morals that all people should encompass. Since my time at Darlington began, I have learned an indefinite number of things through experiences that have influenced my life and made me the person I am today. Although there are many things that I have been able to take away from my years so far, I was able to narrow the list down to the top ten most important in my life.
1.) Basic studies- It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone to know that Darlington is a school similar to any other in regards to the subject matters. Darlington teaches the main core subjects, but the quality of education that students receive is like no other. With a rigorous course load, Darlington offers AP and honors courses that better prepare students for their road ahead in college. Darlington has taught me a lot of lessons in life, but the academic work I have taken away from my time here so far will continue to benefit me as I further my education.
2.) The importance of living by the Darlington Motto- Each week at assembly and chapel, the entire upper school recites the school motto, “Wisdom more than knowledge, service beyond self, honor above everything.” With the installation of these values into my everyday life, I believe I have improved overall as a better person.
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“Wisdom more than knowledge”- Wisdom more than knowledge has taught me to look beyond the facts in the classroom and apply them to what I am learning.
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“Service beyond self”- As a member of the Servant Leadership team, I am always looking for ways to help others and give back to the community in order to apply “service beyond self” to my life. With lots of activities planned each week, Darlington makes it easy and fun to give back.
- “Honor above everything”- The Honor Code is something that is upheld as one of the most important lessons that a Darlington student must learn. Each student learns that is not okay to lie, cheat or steal, and instead everyone should act honorably and do the right thing. By abiding by this rule and putting honor before everything, I have been able to live a guilt-free life because I know that I have always lived honorably even if temptation got in my way.
3.) Various cultures from all over the world- I have had friends come through Darlington with backgrounds from all over the world. I have learned about their different cultures, eaten delicious foods and spent many nights comparing the life of an American to that of a person from Denmark, Germany, etc. I believe this is what makes Darlington so special. There are very few schools who offer such a diverse student body, and by getting to know people from all over the world, it opens your eyes to life outside of America and more specifically, Rome, Ga.
4.) No one is left unnoticed- With such a diverse student body, Darlington isn’t the stereotypical school with only two social classes: the nerds and the athletes. In fact, there aren’t any social classes amongst students. Everyone is accepted for who they really are no matter how different, and this makes it easy for shy people, like myself, to fit in.
5.) Finding a balance- Between school, sports, fine arts and social time, finding a healthy balance can be difficult, but Darlington makes it easy and really helps you manage your time wisely. I have been able to play multiple sports, play an instrument, have time for friends and still get the most out of my learning experience. How do I do this? I take advantage of all the time I can. I use my free period and study hall at night to study, I plan ahead, and I make sure I have time to spend with others in between. This can get very difficult at times, but Darlington helps you find a balance and plan your time wisely.
6.) Success doesn’t come easy- No one has ever been able to be perfect at everything, especially at school. At Darlington, the course work isn’t always easy, and you are going to fail some tests, however, continuing to work with your teachers and going to coach class will pay off. Being able to learn from your old tests and persevere through new, harder material will always help you reach success in the long run. I have learned this time and time again, but each time I am able to lift myself up because working hard for my success means more than finding success right off the bat.
7.) Everyone is always there to lend a helping hand- No matter how down on your luck you might be, whether you are homesick or continue to make low grades on daily quizzes in Mr. Schmidt’s class, someone is always there to look after you. Everyone at Darlington wants the best for you, and they want to see you succeed. They are willing to give you the extra time and any help you need, so you can find success on a test or other assignment.
8.) Giving to others is more rewarding than receiving for yourself- There is nothing more that I love than giving back to people in my community, and I am able to share that love with other students at this school as part of the Servant Leadership team. At Darlington, I have learned over the years just what giving back is and means, and I love spending time with the kids at McHenry Primary School and the Boys and Girls Club. Without Darlington, I wouldn’t know what it felt like to give back, but with the motto and planned trips weekly, I have learned over the years how to give rather than receive.
9.) Everyone creates their own Darlington experience- No two people at Darlington will share the same experience because of the many activities and courses that Darlington offers. Everyone will have variations in their schedules and extracurricular activities. Each person can adapt their schedules to fit their own personalities, and by the end of each student's time at Darlington, they each take something else away. Darlington has so much to offer, but it is up to each individual student to make Darlington what he or she wants it to be by getting involved.
10.) Darlington sets you up for the rest of your life- As a preparatory school, Darlington is supposed to set you up for success in college. With its killer academics, Darlington does just that, however, it goes beyond. Darlington sets you up for life with all of the lessons you can take away. For me, I will live by the motto for the rest of my life, I will remain balanced and I will continue to give back to my community. All of these things would not have been possible without Darlington, and for that I am forever grateful.
With the application of these ideas into my everyday life, I have become a far better person from day to day. I am not the only one who has learned from Darlington, however, and anyone you ask who has been affiliated with the school has their own personal stories. Although many people will never learn some of the same things I have taken away from Darlington, I think everyone has benefitted or been touched with someone or something at this school that has changed them for the better.
