By Gracie Wonder
Starting high school can be nerve-racking. From new faces, classes, and opportunities, there are many things to learn. Maybe you’ve already fully adjusted to your new schedule, or maybe you’re like me, and you’ve somehow managed to walk confidently into the wrong classroom…twice.
Regardless of my mistakes, I’ve definitely enjoyed my new high school experience so far. I wanted to find out how my peers were doing.
“I love the cafe!” freshman Gabby Collins said when I asked her for one of her favorite things about being a high schooler. And Gabby is definitely not alone on this; many of the other freshmen I talked to have also enjoyed grabbing a pizza or cookie.
Many of the freshmen I spoke to also expressed their enthusiasm for the new freedom they are granted as high schoolers. “It’s definitely a lot more independence than you get in middle school, like getting to go around the campus for lunch and stuff like that. And you get to explore more on campus since you’re a high schooler,” said Will Faircloth.
Of course, freshmen can’t spend all their time wandering the halls. More freedom also comes with more work. “I’ve had a lot of projects,” remarked Schuyler Lambert. “I also have a couple quizzes coming up, it’s…a lot.” Maya Russell noted how it’s manageable. “It’s able to be done if you prioritize it,” she said, “but it’s definitely much more than middle school.”
Freshman dean, Dr. Jennifer Reynolds, thinks the freshmen have handled the transition well. She said the class of 2030 has been great so far. She said the freshmen have advocated for themselves about schedule changes and other school-related topics.
Dr. Reynolds also gave a few tips to make the most out of your freshman year! Her first tip for success was planning ahead. “You can’t always predict when you’re going to have big things or assignments coming up, but as much as you can plan ahead, I would say do that,” she shared.
And she had her own memories of starting high school. “I remember my ninth-grade honors biology teacher vividly. I remember working with her and loving that class, being challenged by that class. Maybe she’s why I went into biology!” Dr. Reynolds said.
She also shared a relatable experience for many of working very hard to earn a good grade. “I remember really wanting to get an A and I was right at the cusp at the end of the semester,” she said. “I worked my tail off to earn that A at the end of the semester, and I’m really proud of myself for that.”
The fact that Dr. Reynolds still remembers earning that A might be a good reason for freshmen to try their best, and then go get a cookie!
