Why did you come to Andover? If this question were to be asked to every Andover student, there would be a common theme. Despite the many specifics and different definitions of our answers, most, if not all, would say that they came to Andover to succeed. As important as succeeding at Andover is, it is important to remember that “The end depends upon the beginning,” as demonstrated in the school’s motto. This means the success that comes later in life is in some way dependent on your time here at Andover, despite it being only four years of our lives. Thriving at Andover doesn’t guarantee success in the future, and likewise, struggling at Andover doesn’t guarantee failure in the future. That said, the essential skills and character you build at Andover can greatly help you throughout your life’s journey.
One skill that Andover works to instill in students is hard work. Andover is renowned for its rigorous academics. While classes require hours of relentless work, day after day, and may seem demanding in the moment, it mirrors the work necessary for our lives. Furthermore, the culture at Andover inherently demands hard work, deepening our motivations and abilities. With Andover’s intentionally diverse student body and equally diligent peers, we may find support and encouragement in all aspects of learning and find motivation to climb mountaintops we may not have otherwise reached without them. As such goals may be difficult to achieve, knowing our peers and faculty are always there for us and are constantly helping us to bounce back from difficult days can allow us all to internalize the habits of resilience. This ability to persist is crucial, as it allows us to flourish in the rigors of Andover but also prepares us to face the inevitable challenges in our future lives. However, despite Andover’s intentionally rigorous curriculum to strengthen habits of hard work and perseverance, it is important to remember though, especially on difficult days, that Andover is only a small part of our lives; it is only the beginning of a fruitful journey.
Another skill that Andover helps students learn is selflessness, mirrored in the school’s motto of “non sibi,” meaning “not for self.” One way for students to demonstrate the “non sibi” spirit is through Andover’s community engagement programs. There are many different opportunities through this program, such as volunteering at local preschools or being a pen pal, that can teach essential skills such as responsibility and compassion while helping others and giving back to the community. Additionally, Andover emphasizes community, where students can help and support each other, especially when times can be difficult. For instance, sports at Andover foster competition by prioritizing teamwork, and the peer tutoring system allows students to help their peers with classwork. Engaging in selfless acts helps students grow as they develop empathy, kindness, and collaboration to enact positive change within our surrounding communities.
Adaptability is another trait that Andover instills in us. Simply being at a boarding school like Andover has a completely different lifestyle than many of us are used to, and it comes with many challenges. Yet, at the end of our time here, it can become a second home to everyone. Being at a boarding school helps students learn self-sufficiency through day-to-day tasks. On top of that, the way the course system works is that every term, your classes, along with your teachers, change. This system can be tough because you do not know what to expect when you get a new teacher or when you are in a new class. This system, however, mirrors college, where every semester your classes and professors change, better preparing us for similar systems in the future. Further, our schedules, complete with academics, sports, extracurriculars, chores, and personal activities, can be cluttered or change extremely easily. We learn the importance of adapting to changes in our schedule and working our way around them. This skill is imperative for life, as change is an intrinsic part of growth.
A final skill that Andover helps us develop is ambition. Even the fact that you chose to apply to Andover shows that you are an ambitious person. But at Andover, this ambition is further fueled. Through academics, leadership opportunities, and extracurricular activities, students learn to channel their ambition into important pursuits. Moreover, Andover sets a high standard of success, which allows students to exercise their ambitions and continue to pursue excellence. If Andover had a lower standard of success, ambitious students would not thrive, as many might lose motivation after crossing their school’s threshold of success. In life, such ambition is necessary to pursue greater things — to explore opportunities and take risks, enabling students to reach their full potential.
“Finis Origine Pendet,” or “The end depends upon the beginning,” serves as a reminder that Andover is just the beginning of the journey of life. It shows us that while Andover may not be the most important time of our lives, our time here helps us build essential skills and qualities — hard work, selflessness, adaptability, and ambition — needed for success in the rest of the journey. While these skills are hard-won, not without sacrifice and great amounts of work, they are necessary. “Finis Origine Pendet” shows us that what we do at Andover can provide us with great resources for the future, whatever path it may take.
Vedant Bajaj is a Junior from Reading, MA. Contact the author at vbajaja28@andover.edu
