Freshmen encounter high school events

The freshmen class found themselves forced to make changes in their academic, social and spiritual lives at the beginning of the ’12-’13 school year. Some also found that some things remained the same throughout their transition.

Now that the freshmen are stabilized as high school students, they can look back and see the minor and drastic changes that took place. Out of all the things that change as freshmen enter high school, academics may be the most drastic. Some found that their study habits were inadequate for the amount of work given to them, while others felt only minor changes that needed to be made.

According to freshman Timothy Nyberg, high school requires more initiative and determination than previous years. Though he is in a new environment, Nyberg says that the hospitality and helpfulness of the teachers has stayed consistent throughout the years.

“The homework is harder and teacher’s are more strict,” Nyberg said. “There are just more expectations. The deadlines are also more serious and you have to turn things in on time. My grades have stayed consistent and all the teachers are still nice and helpful. I still struggle with the same subjects but it is getting easier. The small classroom environment is very similar to junior high.”

Emily Gonzales, ’16 feels that high school requires priority scheduling and that the classes are becoming progressively more difficult. Along with adjusting with classes, Gonzales has learned to branch out and form new friendships.

“I had to make more time to study,” Gonzales said. “It?s all a new experience. Some classes have gotten harder and I recognize they are trying to prepare me for college. I made new friends who I actually hang out with. We sit by a tree now instead of at lunch tables. We also have more freedom without constant adult supervision.”

Freshman Juliana Rosik says that her own personal level of responsibility has increased and that she must be vigilant in her viewing of her grades.

“I have had to study a lot more and be responsible with my homework,” Rosik said. “My grades actually matter in high school, so I have to make sure I keep them up. Tracking my grades is a big responsibility that I didn’t have before.”

Many students have come to realize the importance of the high school curriculum and its effect on their future. They have taken it upon themselves to establish habits of responsible studying. Even then they acknowledge that real success comes from effort. Freshman Tyler Breedlove now realizes that assignments are more important and that they can have a direct effect on his future.

“The work is harder and it matters for college,” Breedlove said. “If you don?t do your homework your in trouble. The teachers are also a lot more helpful.”

Although the academic spectrum is full of change, some things stay consistent. Students find that many of the techniques they learned from previous years are very useful. They also find that many of their academic struggles are still relevant this year and need improvement. Rosik says that the academic level of challenge for each subject is unvarying from junior high to high school.

“I still struggle with the same subjects I did in junior high,” Rosik said. “For instance English is a consistently difficult subject. At least in high school I have developed a greater appreciation for the subject and how important it is.”

Yet academic changes are not the only changes that freshmen experience. Students find that the atmosphere from junior high to high school is similar in some ways but very different in others. Nyberg says that his social circle has significantly grown throughout the last year.

“In high school I don’t have as much time to interact with friends do to homework,” Nyberg said. “However I have gotten to know a lot of new people and gotten closer to others that I already knew. I have even gotten to know quite a few upper class men.”

For many, social changes are for the better. Some have made friends with upper class men. Breedlove says that he has associated with new students as well as upperclassmen so far in his high school experience.

“I made new friends like Noah Conner and Chris Kollenkark,” Breedlove said. “I have gotten to talk to upperclassmen as well. They like me so it is fun.”
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Although for some students, socially some things stay consistent from junior high to high school. FC is a small school so many students find that from year to year they know the same people. Gonzales says that throughout the years her friends have stayed basically the same.

“We still have the same people and social groups,” Gonzales said. “We also take care of each other as a whole. It is still a very closely knit circle.”

Along with academic and social changes many are making spiritual changes as well. Some have realized the impact of their everyday decisions and are actively improving discerning right from wrong. Rosik feels that coming into her freshmen year, she has accepted her responsibility in the church and community.

“My youth group at church is different,” Rosik said. “I have begun to enjoy and understand the sermons at my church. I have become an official member of my church. I now feel I can actually make a difference in my community.”

Breedlove says he has gained a deeper understanding of God through the high school Bible curriculum.

“I have connected more with God,” Breedlove said. “I have also maintained my current relationship with God. The Bible class this year is a lot deeper and more spiritual.”

The vast amount of spiritual growth this semester is evident among the students. Yet like any good thing their are always areas of improvement to be addressed. Rosik hopes for the freshmen class that they will abolish social groups that exclude others and learn the value of each and every person.

“As a class I know we are growing spiritually,” Rosik said. “Hopefully during the next four years we will mature into faithful followers of Christ. I also hope that we can become friendly people and eliminate the exclusive social groups that often form.”

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