Introducing Cassandra Mitchell ’17 – a Ridleian who opened herself up to the opportunities that our school has to offer. Hear how she adjusted to life on campus and cherishes the inclusive, diverse culture at Ridley.

Why did you choose Ridley?

The decision to come to Ridley involved my entire family. This school aligned with many of our family values and we were impressed by what a tight community the school was. My family has never regretted our decision to come.

Did you feel prepared coming to Ridley?

Honestly, I really didn’t. I didn’t know what to expect or how I was going to fit it. I think everyone feels that way to some extent when they move to a new place. Though I have a Canadian passport, I had never actually lived in Canada before and I didn’t know if I would like it here. Of course, now I feel silly for ever being nervous.

Who is your favourite faculty member and why?

I can’t answer that! That’s like asking who your favourite parent is. I love all my teachers and I love the community we have here at this school. It didn’t take long for Ridley to feel like family.

What has been your greatest challenge thus far at Ridley?

My greatest challenge thus far at Ridley has been balancing my extracurricular activities with taking the IB programme. The past year was the most challenging academic year I’ve had, but also the most rewarding yet. I feel like IB has pushed me to become a member of a range of different communities in the school as well as pushed me to think and problem solve in ways that I haven’t before. I’m only halfway through the programme, but I’m loving it.

What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far at Ridley?

I think my greatest accomplishment at Ridley thus far has been how quickly I have made Ridley feel like home. This is an amazing place if you embrace it and at the beginning, when everything was new and overwhelming, I had to fight the urge to close myself off from opportunities and new experiences. I am so happy that I managed to successfully fight that urge because I have gained so much from being an active member of the community.

What has been your favorite Ridley experience?

The world is still reeling from the string of terror attacks and shootings that have taken place this year and sometimes it does feel hopeless; like we might never learn to live in peace. However, there is a moment that I hold onto when I need a little hope for the future of humanity. On the night of Earth Day, we had a campfire in the Quad. There were guitars and ukuleles and we were all singing at the top of our lungs. Around the campfire sat Nigerians, Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Russians, Germans, and Chinese, singing, laughing and sharing marshmallows. Our amazing global community sets an example of how we can all coexist.

What is your favourite part of Ridley life?

Tying in to my previous answer, I love how much I am able to learn from people from all corners of the globe. We have all lived such different understandings of life yet we are all still able to coexist and learn from one another. I love that I could end up having dinner with four friends and none of us hold the same passport or that I could do a group project with people whose mother tongues are all different. I strongly believe that those sorts of experiences will benefit me for years to come.

What part of being a Prefect are you most excited for?

I am most excited to be an ambassador for Ridley. I love meeting new people and being a Prefect will give me the opportunity to meet others while I represent the school.

How has Ridley prepared you for the future?

Ridley College has given me the opportunity to take the IB programme, and though it has been the hardest thing I have ever done as a student, it has also been the most rewarding. I have not only been pushed to improve my time management and note taking skills, but also to be a better student. The programme has taught me some valuable life skills. I have also been expected to be a creative problem solver, an open-minded collaborator, and a more reflective person. Those things have made me a more mature person beyond the classroom, and I know I will continue to appreciate that in the future.

What are your plans after graduation?

No matter what I end up doing, I know that I want to continue exploring the world until the day they put me in the ground. After I leave Ridley, I want to go into either International Relations, or International Development. I want to do what I can in university to become as useful as I can be in teams working around the world, creating sustainable, independent communities in developing countries. I can see myself working for humanitarian NGOs in the future.

What advice would you give prospective students about Ridley?

My biggest piece of advice would be to make the most of this place. Ridley will teach you so much and give you so many opportunities if you let it. Join the clubs, the service trips, the sport teams. Try things you’ve never done before. Your time here will only be what you make it, so don’t spend it on your laptop in your dorm room.