Freshman year is something that was both exciting and terrifying for me to think about. As I went through school, the closer I got to 8th grade, the more I was asked what high school I was going to. All of the women on my dad’s side of the family have gone to Notre Dame, and all the boys had gone to Serra, so it was a tradition that I had to continue. My dad felt very strongly about me attending NDB, but with all of my friends in Menlo Park choosing to go to Menlo-Atherton, I wanted to be with them.
Ultimately, after shadowing both schools, I decided to come to NDB. I knew it would be hard leaving friends that I had grown up with, but I truly felt like I would do better at NDB. I eventually moved from Menlo Park to Burlingame to be closer to school, which was something I was not happy with. Going to a different school from my friends was one thing. But moving 30 minutes away from them? I was convinced we would never see eachother again.
Starting up at NDB in the fall, I only knew one person. Everyone seemed to have come from the same schools and all knew each other, but I had my one person. Of course, I felt welcomed by everyone, and everyone was kind, but at the end of the day, I didn’t have that big friend group that I left back in middle school. For the first month and a half, I spent my lunches with that one friend, and in classes I would participate but not necessarily get to know new people.
It took a while, but not too long till things changed. After getting more comfortable in classes, making new friends came quickly. It was only October when I had a new friend group. It wasn’t best friends immediately, but just finding people that I was able to spend time with was something I am so grateful for. Looking back at the beginning of the year, to know I have grown so much with all the new people I have met. The number of friends that were made, and the fun events I was able to go to like homecoming and formal, make me feel so grateful that I chose to come to NDB. I laugh at the fact that I was afraid of losing my life long friends at the beginning of the year, because that did not happen. I still talk with them and see them every week.
Aside from the community aspect, academics were something I was definitely nervous about. The first semester was a lot easier and simpler than expected. With most of the classes being reviewed, I found myself getting great grades and understanding all of the material very well. Taking finals for the first time was daunting. With everything I had heard about them, I stressed myself out a lot. In reality, they were not as difficult and stressful as I saw them to be. It was nice to complete them and be able to have a break after. It wasn’t until the second semester that I started struggling. The second semester was all new, and classes began to get harder. At first it was an adjustment, but I learned to manage my time and work laid and have been able to perform well.
I currently don’t do a sport, so I decided to take on the load of choosing journalism as my elective. I have always been passionate about writing, and it comes very easily to me. Being able to be a part of a class with upperclassmen has been really nice. Being able to ask questions and hear about things that I will participate in in my future has been great. It has also been very rewarding to be able to write about what is happening at our school and in the world. Getting the extra experience with writing has definitely contributed to my performance in English class as well.
Choosing NDB for me meant leaving behind the people I grew up with and being a part of something totally different than anything I had before. Through my freshman year I have learned how important it is to be open to new people and possibilities. I am extremely happy to say that I am so grateful to be going to NDB. I have met so many amazing people, and I have been introduced to so many new things. Freshman year went a lot better than expected, and personally, I can’t wait for the rest of my time here.
