Interview with Hudson College Alum, Emma Darini

What I appreciated most about Hudson was how much it helped me prepare for university. I actually transferred to Hudson from a neighboring public school after Grade 10 because I was looking for something more academically supportive for my last two years of high school, and Hudson really delivered on that front.

First, I really appreciated the small class sizes. There were only about 60 students in my grade and classes were very personal and intimate, and I found it really easy to ask questions, get feedback, and feel supported by my teachers. They were always able to help after hours and they knew us well individually.

Another thing I appreciated was how closely Hudson’s school structure really matched the university structure that I would later encounter. We used a lot of laptops and digital tools in our daily lessons and we also took notes on them, and that made a big difference in helping me feel more comfortable with the tech-central learning that I’d later encounter at U of T in those lecture-style classrooms.

Another big thing is that Hudson ran on a trimester system. It mimicked how university semesters would work in terms of the first and second trimester being the fall and the winter, and exams happened before the winter break around Christmas time. It really got me used to the pace and formatting that I’d see later at U of T.

I’d say Hudson has a really welcoming and community-oriented culture. One of the ways that they build community is through the Hudson Houses, where every student in the upper school is part of a house, and it’s a fun way to connect through things like intramural sports and spirit events. I was part of the Great Lakes, and it made the school year feel more interactive and exciting and encouraged me to meet a lot of new people, not just in my grade but in the upper school.

Hudson’s values are really centered on academic curiosity and support. It’s a school that encourages you to take your education seriously in a self-motivated way rather than in a pressured environment, and I was surrounded by other like-minded students who were motivated and academic, which created a focused and supportive environment.

As far as culture and values, Hudson’s values go beyond academics. They emphasize character growth and community involvement through clubs and extracurriculars, and I was also part of the soccer team and we had a co-ed tournament which was super fun.

Hudson helped me develop habits and skills like problem solving, critical thinking, adaptability, time management, and leadership. Leadership was a big one for me because I became more confident and more comfortable leading group discussions, which I struggled with in the past, and I built a lot of leadership and public speaking skills in the smaller, non-judgmental space. It made me enjoy my time in the classroom instead of fear it.

The principals, heads, guidance counselors, and school leadership in general genuinely cared about creating a positive and supportive experience for students, and you could see how passionate they were in making Hudson a place where students could succeed and enjoy their time.

Hudson really puts emphasis on getting involved beyond the classroom. There is a range of clubs, sports, and leadership opportunities open to everyone in the upper school, and it was easy to join things like the science club. There are over 25 clubs ranging from Math Café to Science Club to hobby clubs like Chess or Dungeons and Dragons, and there’s even a robotics club.

The teachers at Hudson genuinely cared. If you were struggling with a concept or needed extra help on an assignment or problem set, they always made time, and they took our post-secondary goals seriously. They gave a lot of advice, wrote references, and encouraged me to apply for many scholarships, which I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

I found the students at Hudson to be very academically focused but also supportive and down to earth. It’s a small school, so you get to know your peers well, and we had a shared passion for academia and shared goals of doing well and preparing for university, without a super competitive environment.

There was a strong sense of community and everyone looked out for each other. I was part of my own study group, and we weren’t afraid to ask for help or collaborate on assignments.

One thing that really stood out to me was how diverse the student body was. A lot of the students I met were international students, and it was fascinating to hear their stories, why they decided to come to Toronto, what their journeys looked like, and what their goals were after Hudson, and this diversity brought different perspectives to class discussions and everyday life.

Hudson’s location is great. It’s in Midtown Toronto near St. Clair West and Dufferin, and it’s accessible by public transit, and I used to take the TTC or the streetcar. The school is tucked just off the main street and feels like a quiet little hub even though it’s in the city.

There are great lunch spots nearby, and the campus itself is modern and clean. You can tell you’re in the Hudson area because of the signs and the signature blue everywhere, and the classrooms are tech-friendly. The campus is small and close-knit, and as a new student it was easy to navigate.

Now that I’ve graduated from Hudson, I’ve started getting more involved in the alumni community. It’s been nice to reconnect with others through platforms like Hudson College Connect and the Hudson Alumni Network LinkedIn group, and it’s a great way to stay updated and network, especially since alumni go into a wide range of fields.

I briefly remember the admissions process. I went to the open house, and after deciding to apply, I had to do an interview to see if I’d be a good fit, but it wasn’t stressful and felt more like a conversation, and the staff was welcoming. The process was smooth and straightforward when transferring from my public school.

I would say that the three reasons for recommending Hudson are the academic structure, the supportive environment, and the strong community. The trimester schedule, the use of technology, and the smaller class sizes helped me get a feel for what post-secondary education would look like. The teachers and school leadership were approachable and genuinely wanted students to succeed academically, socially, and personally. The strong tight-knit community created a balanced experience with many ways to get involved and feel connected.