When I was about to start high school, I saw several social media posts that made me nervous about what to expect. These posts made high school out to be a place where it is hard to succeed and where students are overburdened with work. As an 8th grader, I couldn’t help but feel anxious and scared about the jump from middle school to high school.
However, after just a few days of being in high school, I realized it was not as challenging as I thought. Not everything I had seen online was the reality. Although it has not been the movie experience of going to football games every Friday night, I also have not been drowning in homework like I thought I would. My teachers were supportive and understanding, and they helped us ease into the workload. They were also very open about what to expect in the classes, which made me feel more at ease.
Another misconception social media portrayed was that high schoolers were rude and unfriendly. However, I found that the girls in my grade and the upperclassmen were kind and helpful. Everyone was welcoming, and I never felt scared to ask for help or talk to people from other grades. Posts or TV dramas show cliques, which usually include mean girls or jocks, but my experience at Notre Dame and talking to people in other high schools shows that this just isn’t the case.
Notre Dame has an open and welcoming learning environment where there is something for everyone. There are so many student options, whether sports, clubs, or academic teams. The teachers are passionate about their subjects and always willing to help students succeed. There is a strong sense of community, and everyone is encouraged to express themselves and try new things.
Social media can often portray high school negatively, but it is important to remember that these are merely stereotypes and not reality. High school can be challenging, but it is also a time when you can learn and grow as a person. After seeing all these high school stereotypes, it made me realize that it is important to have an open mind and to make your own opinions when you start something new.
