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Oak Bridge Quarterly

OBA's ABA & ACT approach beyond the classroom

Open Letter to Upcoming students

6/29/2025

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Guest Blog by an OBA Grad

I write this to you today in hopes of you reading this. Nobody ever said it was hard, nobody ever said it was easy. School comes in the middle of your life quite literally. You sit at a desk for 6 and a half hours and write tests and do assignments. Your life is school, will be school and there is no way around it. Just do your school work and the rest will come.

You don't know me and I don't know you and maybe that’s for the better. If you did know me then hi again. For those who don't know me it's just another long worded page but it's worth reading. You will be tested to your breaking point, people will always have things to say but just ignore them because the thing you are striving for is much better than some people's words.
I have been here for 6 years now. I've seen many people come and go, I've made new friends and had multiple new experiences. Every experience has led up to this. I already graduated but you're just getting started so don't waste your time and make the most of it because you never know when your last day will be. You're here for a reason as was I. You will experience things you like and dislike as did I. But in the near future you will be writing this as well because you accomplished the grand prize.
You will be challenged each day to your breaking point, it may be hard but nothing will be as hard as your final day at this school so don't take every test for granted as you do not know when your last test will be. If you knew me you knew I hated school work many years ago but that did not stop me from accomplishing many of my life long goals. Playing sports and being good in school were my top 2 priorities in life but your priorities are school and ? it is yours to choose. Find something you truly like and stay the course as if you quit you will never know what you could’ve become. Good things happen to those that wait, people who wait will truly understand the process of hardwork and dedication, they also do not rush things as they know it will come with time and effort.
Work hard in school and have that drive in you to keep going and make sure you're kind to Erin and Devon because it'll make your l
ife easier. Erin will always help you if you are being kind and listening to her as well. Do not grunt at her because only I was allowed to do that, nah do it but just when it's a funny time and everybody else is talking, so you do not get in trouble. Devon is as professional as it gets and I claim he marks in his calendar when he laughs even though I know he does not. Devon will teach you to the best of his abilities and if you mess up he will calmly show you the right steps and make it 10x easier for the next problem you have to answer.
Your life may seem hard with school but it gets easier the more you're here. If you play sports after school, listen to your coaches and whoever else is in charge. If you do piano or any other activity, put as much effort and time into that as you did your school work. If you made it this far then you're a real one but I'm not done yet. Some experiences may better you and some experiences might make you question yourself but everything happens for a reason.
The meaning of life is to do things that make you happy and to live life to its fullest. If you can execute on those 2 things then you will realize you had it easy. I was once sitting in your exact chair (far left of the classroom by the billboard, last seat) don't find that weird, find it inspiring. The desk holds lots of memories good and bad but mostly good. I remember the first friend I had and trust me when I say you won't wanna forget them. They most likely won't go to this school for their whole middle school career as they might go on to bigger things in life, who knows what they’re doing. Good times turn into memories, memories turn into learning opportunities and learning opportunities turn yourself into who you are. If you're into football look up 1990s hardest hitters. If you're into history lookup Titanic and War Horses.
Again I don't know you but I do know you are here and I am not, you are living the life I once lived but can no longer live as I've grown up. I am out of here to try and make it big or something along those lines. I shall follow the same steps as I already did but in a way more intense and interesting environment. I have seen mostly everything but not quite everything. As I embark on my next journey I will not forget everybody who has helped me along the way and for new people just getting to the school welcome to your new journey. You decide how hard it is and how far you want to take this thing.
Many changes have been made to this school over the years like the walls being repainted and staff members not remaining the same. As you walk the halls next year make sure to be thankful to be here and remember all the people who walked the halls before you did. I among 3 other people will not be returning next year but it doesn’t mean that you won't be here. While you are here make the most of your time learn from mistakes and successes and find a formula that works best for you. You will know when you find the right formula as it will click in your head, and your grades will go up significantly.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I could give you all is to make the right choices but you already know that. Most of you reading this will be graduating next year so when you walk across the stage think of all the people who made it possible for you to be here. Instant nostalgia will fall over you as you remember all things and a rush will go through you. At this time you will notice that you did not appreciate your time enough as you wish you could grasp just a few more seconds. For me I remember being excited to leave every single year on the last day of school, however when it is truly your last day of school you will not be excited, you will be grateful for all who have taught you. I thought in grade 5 I was going to build a mansion with one of my friends. He then proceeded to leave after that year and maybe that's when I realized I could not have everything in life. I don't know you or your backstory but just savor every moment as you do not know when your last moment here on earth and in a class will be.
For the people who come from schools that did not believe in them or try for them, welcome to the best place on earth. For the people who are here for other reasons, enjoy your time. I used to dream about graduating and how exciting and fun it was until I realized it meant my time was coming to an end. When your time comes to an end just know you’ve made a lasting impression on everybody and most important of all you’ve made a lasting impression on yourself and found your true identity. Sometimes school is all it takes for something to click in your head or a summer break as that was the case for myself. You know as well as I do if I had the option to turn time back I would and I would do everything so differently however this is not the case. Past mistakes don't define who you are unless you let them so don't let them.
Don't wish you could do something because you're going to be wishing for your whole life, just do it. If you're doubting yourself all I can say is keep going but deep down in you, you know what it takes to execute at the highest level possible. Wake up tired, exhausted and hurt and do it anyway because you’ll thank yourself later for pushing yourself to be a better person. As soon as you get inside the pink classroom you will see what I saw a whole lot of work but don’t think in that tone. Take everything day by day and do not worry about the future as the future is yet to be presented or known to yourself or anybody else by you, if you can tell the future then please shoot me an email haha.
If you see someone struggling ask what's wrong but if they need space, grant them space, you’ll feel better asking then just watching them be upset. If Erin is stressed out then let her be in her zone because crossing Erin Doyle will never work unless you keep doing it, she might even put up her hoodie if she is annoyed enough. The pink pack is one of the most important classrooms in the school because it's a grade 7 and 8 classroom. You guys are at the golden age of 12-13-14 this is where you truly find your passions as I did and you discover the most about yourself throughout grade 7 and 8. Compromising will also be key for all you upcoming people, ensure you compromise calmly and efficiently as if you are screaming at the person you will never get what you want.
Nate I know you are reading this and hopefully I have taught you lots because my main goal was to guide you through grade 7 and make sure you have all the skills you need for grade 8. Thank you for making grade 8 fun for me and the whole class and make sure you stand out on the football field like you always do. For new people to the school, you will never know me but hopefully this long writing page will stick with you throughout your experiences at this school. And for the old people at this school like Kathie, Erin and Reta you guys have aged like fine wine haha. Back to the seriousness, the people who want to help you just want to see you succeed in the future so take advice from them as they have been here on this earth longer than us.
​Time will go by fast, people you know will leave the school but just stay you and everything will be great. If you ever need anything ask someone you can trust within the school (your closest friend) I may not be here anymore but I can still receive information so be on your best behavior!  The days you feel drained are the days you learn the most about yourself as you learn how to persevere through challenges.
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Hespeler Campus
250 Hespeler Rd, Cambridge, ON N1R 3H3
​Phone: 519-242-6111
Forward Campus
55 Franklin Blvd. Cambridge, ON, N1R 5S2
​Phone: 519-242-6111
Mailing Address: 250 Hespeler Rd, Suite 102, Cambridge, ON N1R 3H3
Email: [email protected]
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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Philosophy
    • Founder and Principal
    • Board of Directors
    • OBA Staff
    • Photo Gallery
    • Careers
  • Academy
    • Admissions >
      • Apply to OBA
      • Tuition & Bursaries
    • Calendars >
      • 2024/25 OBA/EIL Calendar
      • 2025/26 OBA/EIL Calendar
      • 2024/25 OBHS-OSSD Calendar
      • 2025/26 OBHS-OSSD Calendar
    • Co-operative Education
    • OBA in the Media
    • FAQS
  • Clinical
    • FAQS
  • Community
    • ASE Program
  • Contact
  • Oak Bridge Quarterly
  • Donate
    • Golf Tournament
    • Past Events
    • OBA Merch Shop