Starting high school is a huge moment for many people and is something kids look forward to. Although it can be very exciting, it can also be extremely stressful. The change from middle school to high school can be tough and overwhelming for many young students.
There are many major adjustments that freshmen have to make, one main difference being academics. Grading and expectations in high school are very different; in high school, both peers and teachers expect a lot more from you as a high schooler than a middle schooler. A challenging problem is adapting to the new grading and testing expectations, especially final exams.
Social modifications are also a huge factor in the switch from middle to high school. Not everybody attends the same high school as their middle school friends, which can sometimes be a tough pill to swallow. The social pool in high school can be intriguing yet scary for most people. It can be a struggle for many to put oneself out there and meet new people.
There’s also an increased sense of responsibility and independence when high school starts. Freshmen develop a feeling of self-reliance and independence. Staying on top of the workload and keeping a person’s schedule in check is a must to not have one’s grades drop. Even if a class size stays relatively small, it is not easy for teachers to keep reminding every person to stay on top of their responsibilities as some staff can in middle school, so freshmen must find independence when it comes to their studies and extracurriculars.
“I was excited to meet new people and gain new friendships. Academically, I was ready for a change and switched to ASL from Spanish. I was also excited to meet new people in sports and on teams,” Latividol says. “I am also curious about the classes that NDB offers that my middle school didn’t, like Forensic Science!”
She also discusses her view of the community at this school and how it motivates her to participate in events such as Aquacades and spirit rallies.
“The community at Notre Dame is going to help me grow and get out of my comfort zone and to try new things.”
Adriana Cirina, a senior at NDB, reflected on her high school journey and her own freshman experience and has advice for younger students.
“Stay on top of your work. Don’t let it pile up and do not procrastinate, but more importantly don’t be afraid to communicate to your teachers. We are lucky to have the teachers that we do here at Notre Dame, who want us to succeed and are there to support us,” says Cirina.
She also emphasizes her feelings prior to high school and certain aspects she was afraid of when starting a new era of her life.
“I was so nervous before high school. I think part of that was because I was the only one coming from my middle school so that was really scary. I was scared about making friends and also just scared about the adjustment of new responsibilities.”
Cirina also notes on the friendships she has made throughout her time at NDB and the impact they have made on her.
“My favorite part of high school so far has definitely been all of the friendships. I’ve made long-lasting friendships that I will carry into college. Sisterhood is a very important part of Notre Dame and something that I’ll cherish forever.”
Many things can make adjusting to high school hard, but with patience and time, a person’s experience can be amazing, as it is a new start to a beautiful chapter of your life. High school is something that teens will never forget, and the memories that a person makes will stick with them forever.
