The first semester for freshmen can feel surreal: new people, new teachers, new buildings. The experience is often considered scary because of the increased responsibility and independence.
The first semester of freshman year is a time to adjust to the substantial shift in schools, make new friends, familiarize yourself with the building, and explore your interests.
When transitioning to high school, the workload and homework assignments increase significantly. The expectation to complete assignments on time is high, and the hours dedicated to studying after school also rises. “When we got to high school, we immediately dove in; on just the first day, many of us had work to do,” freshman class president Diba Hamidzadeh said.
Merging freshmen from two different middle schools and meeting new teachers creates an environment conducive to forming connections. A Greenlight card study supports this, indicating that middle school is the time to navigate new friendships and new social circles. Meanwhile, high school serves as a time to develop a stronger sense of identity and independence.
When it comes to school, teachers are a big part of the equation.At school, teachers want to help incoming freshmen settle in and feel comfortable and prepared, especially for the new semester. With an uplifting attitude and experience, teachers support their new students. “We worked on study skills, how to organize drives, to-do lists, and how to manage time so kids are not turning in work at midnight,” honors English nine teacher Dr. Lazarus said.
The majority of freshmen walked through the door on Aug. 28. Freshman Amelia Crespen however, walked into the school in January. As a new student from the UK, she felt her transition was smooth. “I like how my teachers pay attention to all of their students and try to get to know them,” Crespen said.
High school counselors are also there to help prepare students for their academics, future careers, and college, and of course, to welcome new students with open arms. Their support has been beneficial during the transition between schools. According to Crespen, her counselor consistently checked in with her regarding any questions and her overall school experience.
Entering as a freshman is a time to explore new activities, whether it’s a sport or a club. Discovering what interests you also provides the perfect chance to meet new people. “It was fun, and I made lots of friends on the basketball team,” freshman Reed Gottesman said.
With this challenging transition, stress becomes a significant factor, particularly when freshmen enter AP and honors classes without prior experience. Achieving good grades in AP and honors classes is a common goal for college-bound students, despite the additional stress. “It is hard to manage AP classes alongside my other schoolwork while balancing my social life and academics,” freshman Mehgna Sharma said.
Moving from middle school to high school can be tough, especially during the first semester. Still, with the people you meet and teacher and counselor support, according to freshman Catherine Outland, the semester ran smoothly.
