Change is often daunting, a leap into the unknown where certainty dissolves and new possibilities unfold.
I found out about my acceptance to Brampton the day before the Autumn Tem was due to begin. Rushing into my interview, I didn’t know what to expect, my imagination conjured up a line of intimidating academic questioning, where every answer would be scrutinised. Instead, I was met with a completely unexpected question: ‘if I were to cast Odysseus in a live-action adaptation of The Odyssey, who would I choose?’ My interviewer then casually suggested Brad Pitt, purely because of the obvious reason. I was also asked unconventional questions, like ‘how feminist literary theorists might interpret Shakespeare’s Macbeth.’ From that moment, I realised that Brampton, which challenged me and encouraged me to broaden my ideas, would be the perfect place for me.
Looking back, my initial fears seem almost amusing now. The things I was so anxious about fitting in, keeping up, ended up shaping me in ways I never anticipated. I’ve come to understand that change isn’t something to dread; it’s something to welcome.
There’s an unspoken anxiety that accompanies transition – will I fit in? Will I meet expectations, not just those imposed by others but also the ones I set for myself? My mind fixated on these questions, but change doesn’t wait for certainty. After about a week, I discovered that the unique mix of bi-weekly academic reviews and extracurricular activities offered a perfect balance of academic rigor and collaborative engagement.
The first day at Brampton felt like stepping into an entirely new world. Brampton is a college that is unlike any other school that I looked at for my post-16 transition. The small class sizes allowed me to articulate my thoughts, debate ideas, and refine my perspectives, which has not only sharpened my academic skills but also built my confidence in speaking up and sharing my views.
Growth often comes in the moments we least expect. I have found that the very things I feared, fitting in, keeping up, finding my place were not obstacles but steps. If I could offer my past self one piece of wisdom and any other prospective Brampton students, it would be this: change is not something to be feared but something to be welcomed. It is the force that allows us to grow, to redefine, and to step into who we are meant to become. The start of my journey at Brampton has been a testament to that truth, and I know that whatever lies ahead, I will carry this lesson with me—because change, in all its uncertainty, is where life truly begins.
By Leah Goodman, student
