Freshman year of high school is a time of change for many new students. From bigger hallways to unfamiliar faces, every student experiences something new. It brings in challenge, discovery, and change. To capture the true essence of freshman year, we spoke to a couple students who just lived through it.
One student stated: “My experience for my freshman year of high school in a couple words would be exciting, challenging, transformative, memorable, and growthful.” She described that her favorite part of the school year was being able to have classes with her friends, particularly AP World. She really enjoyed that class because of the people and the teacher. One of her favorite memories from this school year was when her friends and her were able to eat outside. They never had this opportunity in middle school it felt refreshing and it was very calm and quiet
Another student stated, “Freshman year was a time for reflection and figuring out how you want your next four years of high school to go.” The definition of this reflection can have multiple meanings, whether it be adapting to a new school, reflecting on study habits, or even reflecting on the company you keep. Understanding how to grasp high school material is very different compared to middle school. It’s more demanding and time-consuming. Learning the skill of time management and prioritizing important aspects of school is a key factor in succeeding in high school.
Friendships built are another major highlight of freshman year for many. Although everyone wants to believe that they’ll keep the same friendships from middle school, that’s sadly not the case most of the time. As people move in different directions, your friendship circle changes, may it grow or shrink. The people you surround yourself with will shift. Learning to welcome that change instead of holding on to friendships that can’t be maintained is a significant part of entering high school.
From my own personal experience as a freshman, I found it challenging to manage the heavier homework load and more complex subjects compared to middle school. Navigating a larger school with different teachers and new classmates also felt overwhelming at first. The beginning of high school has surely had its ups and downs, but remembering that all of these moments will shape who we become in the future makes these experiences all the more worth it.