My NSA Story
By Brooklyn C.
India by DanielBendjy from Getty Images Signature Created in Canva
I’m sure we can all agree that life after COVID-19 is drastically different from life before it. For me, one of the main things that changed was my school. I attended a private English-speaking school in India until the end of eighth grade, but the school had trouble functioning when it went online. My family began travelling more, and I was about to start high school. It seemed like time for a change. By that point it was an easy choice for me and my siblings: we needed to switch schools.
As someone who dislikes change, it’s safe to say I was nervous about the school swap. I had only ever known how to function at the other school. I knew what my routine looked like; I knew what time I woke up each morning or what I had for lunch on Thursdays. Now, I would have to figure out how to set my own schedule and how to stay on track. Looking back, it’s interesting to me that the main reason why I picked NSA is because of the academics. I learned that year that my spiritual life is also a part of school.
At the beginning of my ninth-grade year, I attended a Christian youth camp. I entered it as someone who believed in Christ, but never really followed Him. Leaving that camp, I was fully aware of who I was in Christ and what He had done for me on the cross. I realized I needed to start living for Him. It got me excited to start NSA and learn from a Christian perspective. I no longer needed to come home after school to ask my mom about evolution or the age of the Earth, and thankfully I would never have to create another group project to support something I firmly disagreed with.
Over the next two years, I hated to say it, but I grew to love school; the idea of Monday morning wasn’t dreadful anymore. I got to take interesting classes like Marine Biology and Watercolor. Honestly, even my “normal” or “boring” classes were fascinating to me. Obviously, there are units or subjects that I am not a fan of, but nowhere as much as my old school. Before NSA, I would forget almost everything once the unit test was over, but now I can remember what I learned about Alfred Hitchcock and Jane Eyre in my freshman year English course. Who knew that enjoying school actually helps with performance too?
Something unexpected that I’m thankful for with NorthStar is the teachers. My English teacher that first year helped me with the transition to NSA. Funny how I joined the Navigator two years later because I found out she was the teacher for the class. Another unexpected benefit of NorthStar was that my work ethic improved. I began enjoying the thrill of doing well at something. At my old school, the English teachers were not allowed to give students full marks because “students can always improve their writing.” My tenacity at NSA then stretched outside of academics as well. I took up running and set fun goals for myself. My walk with the Lord grew exponentially (with help from my classes at NSA of course). I even started volunteering and served on NSA’s Student Council for a year.
I never planned on attending an online school, but I’m so grateful that I did. As far as NSA’s Expected Student Outcomes go, I would say all seven have become a part of my life. From becoming biblically literate, to university and life ready, to a lifelong learner, there are so many things about this school that have changed the way I live. I’m blessed to attend NorthStar, and I know I will use what I have learned for years to come.
Columns:👤NSA People, 🗞️Staff Stories
Brooklyn C. lives in South Asia with her three siblings, mom, dad, pet cats, and pet turtles. She is in eleventh grade and has been a student at NorthStar for three years. She spends her free time painting and drawing, in hopes of pursuing a career in children's book illustration. She also enjoys running, going on walks, listening to music, reading, watching movies, and traveling.