REVIEW OF Pickering College BY Alum, Thomas Bianco

(5) Overall Experience

Pickering College was the first place where I realized that being involved could actually be fun and not just something adults say looks good on applications. I somehow kept getting pulled into activities, committees and whatever else was happening. It became a running joke between my friends and me that if a poster needed a volunteer, I’d end up on it without noticing. The best part of being there was how easy it was to find your people. I’m not dramatic or overly energetic, but I like being part of things. Pickering made that simple. What I’d change, if I could, is the way some weeks felt like a sprint and a puzzle at the same time. You’re excited but also wondering why everything is happening at once. Still, Pickering prepared me well. University deadlines felt less scary because I’d already survived Pickering Tuesdays, which somehow always carried three assignments and a meeting. Anyone thinking about enrolling should expect a busy, friendly place where you might accidentally end up running an event.

Looking Back

I remember sitting in the dining hall for too long. Running into the same people in the halls every morning. Laughing about things that weren’t even funny.

Current Perspective

Now that I’m older, I see how much the structure helped. I used to think the schedule was intense. Now it feels like training for adult life, just with better snacks.

Your Advice

Pickering is the kind of place where trying something new usually works out. You’ll be surprised by what sticks, so you never know unless you try.

(5) School Leadership

Leadership at Pickering was kind of surprisingly approachable. I expected the usual distant office figures, but instead, they were everywhere. They asked how you were doing at the most random times, usually when you had food in your mouth. Students respected them because they were consistent. If something went wrong, they fixed it without drama. They communicated clearly with parents, which kept things calm. The atmosphere they created made it easy to trust that someone was paying attention to what mattered.

(5) Teaching

The teachers at Pickering were a unique mix of calm, funny, and very prepared. Some of them liked to check in on you with the kind of stare that said they knew you didn’t start the assignment yet. They were patient, though and always explained things properly. The dynamic wasn’t stiff. You could talk to them like real people, which helped. Mr. Clement had this way of raising one eyebrow that scared me into doing my work on time. Meanwhile, Ms. S. made even long reading assignments feel doable. They knew when students were falling behind and stepped in quietly. Classes were challenging in a way that forced you to wake up, literally and mentally. The teachers cared about effort, not perfection, and that took some pressure off. They gave straightforward feedback that was actually useful. Families should know the teachers are involved, in a good way.

(5) Academics

Academics at Pickering College always felt steady and honest. Nothing was hidden. If a course was going to be tough, the teacher would say it right at the start, usually with a smile that made you wonder what you had just signed up for. Most classes were structured in a way that kept you alert without making your head spin. Group work popped up more often than I expected, but I ended up liking it because it pushed me to talk to people outside my usual circle. Students took their work seriously, but I never felt like anyone was trying to outshine everybody else. It was more like everyone was trying to stay afloat together, and that created a strange kind of unity. Teachers checked in when you needed it, even if you did not ask. By the time I reached my final years, I realized how much the workload had gradually taught me to organize myself. I did not notice it while it was happening, but looking back, the academic environment helped me develop habits that I now rely on without thinking.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

Extracurriculars were where things got fun. There was always something happening, and you didn’t have to be an expert to join. I jumped into more activities than I planned, which became part of my identity. Some groups were competitive, others were just for enjoyment. It helped everyone find a place to belong, even the quieter students who weren’t sure at first.

(5) Students

The student body at Pickering was friendly in a low-pressure way. There were outgoing people, quiet people, sporty people, musical people and people who floated somewhere in between. Somehow, everyone coexisted without turning the halls into cliques. The typical student was curious and busy, but not unkind. Respect came from showing up consistently but not from being flashy. One thing I appreciated was how open people were. You could join a table at lunch or sit with a new group in class, and it never felt odd. Students came from different backgrounds, so conversations never felt predictable. Although everyone had their own routines, people helped each other when it mattered, especially during the tough weeks. Overall, it was an easy place to get along with people, which made the days smoother.

(5) School Life

Life at Pickering was full, but not overwhelming unless you procrastinated. Then it got interesting fast. I liked that each day had enough structure to keep you focused but enough space to breathe. Students were busy, but it was the good kind of busy. People cared about what they were working on. There were stressful days, of course. Big tests, projects and events sometimes landed at the same time. Still, most students seemed content. Not ecstatic, not miserable. Just steady and engaged. The campus felt safe and predictable, which made it easier to push through tougher moments. What improved my daily life the most was the sense of routine. Familiar faces, the same walk to class, the same table at break. Small things like that made the whole experience feel grounded.

(4.5) Community

Pickering’s community is made up of people who actually stay in touch and I honestly didn’t expect that. I still message a couple of classmates even though we’re all in different places now. Parents were welcome at events and stayed involved without hovering. It made the school feel open rather than closed off. The broader community was calm and easygoing. You never felt lost in a crowd. The alumni network reaches out from time to time, but it’s never pushy such that all efforts are made out from a place deep down with genuine care and love. It feels supportive instead of formal. Looking back, the community atmosphere was one of the biggest reasons I settled in so quickly. It gave me a sense of stability that hasn’t faded, even after graduating.

(4.5) School Location

The area around Pickering is actually calm and convenient. Students mostly stayed on campus during the week because it was easier, but weekends usually meant short trips for food or errands or just to flex around a bit. The surroundings felt safe and familiar. It wasn’t isolated, but it wasn’t noisy either. The location matched the school’s personality: steady, organized, and comfortable.

(5) Admissions

I started at Pickering College so early that I barely understood what “admissions” even meant at the time. I was more interested in the colour of the classroom walls and whether we got outdoor time. Anything official went through my parents, so I cannot pretend to remember interviews or forms. What I can say, now that I’m older, is that the school made the transition surprisingly calm for a kid. They welcomed new families in a way that made everything feel simple. My parents always said the staff were patient and clear, which probably helped shape how comfortable I felt on my first few days. If I had to give advice to any family applying now, it would be to not stress too much. The school knows how to handle younger students coming in with no expectations or experience, and they guide you through the whole thing without making it overwhelming.

(5) University placement and counselling

The counselling team kept everything organized during university applications. They sent reminders at the exact moment you needed them. I appreciated how easy it was to book time with them. They walked me through deadlines, programs and requirements without making it stressful. If anything could be added, maybe more early planning in earlier grades like grade 11 would help students who like to understand the full picture. Still, the support I received was steady and useful. When application season came, I felt calm, mostly because they had already prepared us well. By the time I entered university, I knew how to handle course planning and communication of which that made the transition way easier. Pickering gave me more confidence in that area more than I actually eixpected.