Freshmen: expectation versus reality
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During eighth grade, you are at the top of your school looking down on the two grades below you. However, during the following school year, as a freshman you are placed back at the bottom with three grade levels stacked above you. Before starting high school, everyone has an idea of how high school will be like. But expectation and reality are two very different things. It can be changed drastically depending on the individual.
Emma Holland’s views on high school before actually starting were drastically different than her actual experience thus far.
“I thought high school would be a lot scarier than it really is because of how big the school is,” Holland stated. “I have been able to get around the school a lot easier than I thought. I think my views changed because of the actual experience I have had so far. I have started in more challenging classes and I have started to like school more. Not really any difficulties so far.”
Angela Fornelli has already faced some difficulties during this school year. There has been a big change for her going from eighth grade to freshman year.
“I thought I would get extremely lost in the school and be always late to my classes. I really am liking high school so far,” Fornelli said.”I haven’t had too much trouble finding my classes. The school is so big. My thoughts have changed because now I have had some actual high school experience. I’ve been having trouble transitioning from summer break to school work every day. The biggest change for me is now I don’t go to my locker much, being able to carry my backpack around. There’s also so many bigger and taller people than me now.”
Sam Gettings based his expectations off movies he had seen. He thinks he will have an enjoyable high school experience.
“Before I started high school, I thought it would be bigger and scarier. I thought this from movies I’ve seen,” Gettings stated. “Since starting I’ve realised that everyone is pretty nice and sports are a blast. I think I’ll like high school. High school just seems more enjoyable and we have more freedom. My biggest change is my friends. I think I will make a lot of new friends, even with older kids. I think the greatest difficulty for me will be scheduling because I will be busy with sports.”
Finn Murphy did not walk into high school with a lot of expectations. Unlike the others, her views did not change.
“I thought it would be a bit harder than middle school but I wasn’t really expecting anything really intimidating,” Murphy said.”My views have not changed since beginning. I wasn’t expecting much, which explains the lack of change. I have a lot more homework than I did last year, but I didn’t have much last year anyway. It was difficult on the first day trying to find stuff and classes, but other than that I have yet to face any real difficulties.”
