As the doors opened and the school year started, the freshmen entered the high school for the first time. The hallways were packed, and every room felt like it was 100 degrees.
The bell ringing and the fear of being late started to be the only thing on their mind. As they entered the class and saw all their friends, their fears seemed to disappear.
Everyone wants to grow up when they are a kid. But, as soon as they do, they realize that their actions matter. Students have to work to get their grades up and do well in school. They have to learn how to manage their time without overworking themselves, and they have to learn how to deal with a level of emotion and stress that they never had before.
“In middle school it was definitely more laid back, especially with late work, and missing work. Now you have to depend more on yourself than you did back then,” Abby Smith (9) said.
High school can be very stressful. Students have to take charge and get their work done, but at the same time, they need to find time for themselves.
Finding time is stressful for most people when they start high school because it can feel like there is a heavier workload.
There are many ways that one can organize their time efficiently. Even though it might seem challenging to have a stress-free school life, there are ways to not fall behind.
“The biggest thing I think is to plan ahead and look at what’s coming, like during the course of the week when you have tests and quizzes. Working ahead instead of trying to play catch up after the fact is the biggest thing,” Highlands High School gym teacher Jill Taylor said.
Getting to know people will help a lot in school, especially with teachers.
“Building relationships with all the students and making them feel comfortable here in the high school environment is important to me so that the 9th graders can get more comfortable,” Highlands High School health teacher Kyle Finfrock said.
New freshmen need to learn how to take time for themselves, even when they think they can not.
With homework and everyday life, students need to learn how to find time to be themselves and do the things that they love doing. Mental health and well-being can be a student’s biggest downfall if they do not treat themselves right.
“The most important thing that you can do is to make sure that you don’t put all the pressure on yourself, you’re going to be okay and you will figure it all out. The way you treat yourself will be one of the most important ways to get through high school,” Zane Shearer (9) said.
In high school, friendships and relationships will get more complicated. Students will find themselves in the middle of drama, not knowing how to overcome it. There will be small things and big things and it can affect people in many different ways.
Adjusting to high school the first few weeks will always be hard, but with time it will get easier and more comfortable.