After completing the awkward years of junior high, students continue their education by advancing into high school. While in eighth grade, students may fear entering freshman year since the thought of being at the bottom of the food chain might be intimidating.
Being a freshman can be extremely stressful due to the change of academic pace from junior high. Some get over their fears within one or two days of being a “freshie,” while others might take a while longer.
Some fears can be developed due to stories that have been spread around the school, which freshman Jacob Williams has already experienced during his short time in high school.
“I was afraid of getting beat up in the locker room,” Williams said. “But that fear was quickly dissolved when I realized that it was just a rumor.”
Junior highers and even some high schoolers are often looking for advice to become more aware of what to expect in the future. Sophomore Amanda Menes has already been through freshman year and offers advice to all the newcomers.
“I advise the current freshman to enjoy this year because it only comes once,” Menes said. “Also, to really pay attention to the teachers; they teach you great morals. Otherwise, everything you’ve learned will go right over your head.”
During Williams’ first few weeks of school he has also developed some helpful advice for his fellow classmates.
“Never be a jerk to the high schoolers,” Williams said. “Because they will get you back. It’s not like junior high where you can get away with everything.”
Some students are not as hesitant to go into high school, but rather in anticipation of special events like freshman Sara Peterson.
“I wasn’t really afraid of high school,” Peterson said. “But I was really excited to get out of junior high and be able to go to all of the fun things, like homecoming and Night of the Stars.”
Some of the new students like Olivia Zizzo, ’15, feels that coming to the school was a good change compared to where they were going before.
“I wanted to come to Fresno Christian because I wanted a change in the environment,” Zizzo said. “Even though I was a little afraid that I wouldn’t make friends, so far my experience here has been enjoyable.”
High school is a time where one can find out who they truly are, or at least attempt to. Being in high school is one of the things that many children imagine. Some of the desired activities are making friends, attending school events, and variety of classes.
As time flies by, seniors often recall their days of freshman year. Senior Sarah Schoneman shares some of her memories.
“I remember being really afraid of the upperclassmen because they were big and tall,” Schoneman said. “It turned out being not that bad. I was really excited to be in high school because junior high wasn’t that great. My advice is to just be confident in yourself and be nice to the people you don’t really like.”
As students graduate from junior high into high school, heights change and some voices deepen, but overall the individual is the same person. Though these physical changes may occur, sophomore Aaron Ward feels the inward changes as well.
“Despite the obvious changes,” Ward said. “I still felt like the same person right when I went into high school. Yet as the year went on, I felt that my maturity and perspective changed.”
Sometimes changes occur in friendships, the things we like to do, or wear and even sometimes the things we like to eat, junior Brandon Porter shares his experience.
“As I got older, I felt like I started to figure out who I am as a person more and more.” Porter said. “I started focusing my time on things that I am passionate about such as music and my faith. As far as style goes, I feel like I just slowly started to dress differently over time.”
8th grade U.S. History and English teacher, Hallie Rojeski, gives some input on her overall viewpoint of the complete process of high school.
“Most of the students that come and visit me after 8th grade graduation are freshman,” Rojeski said. “But occasionally a few upperclassmen will drop in. I feel like as the students get older, they start to focus more on God and their relationship with Him. Also, the students seem to become more aware of how important grades are, and being more prepared for tests.”
The most important part about becoming a freshman is the fact that you start to prepare yourself for the rest of high school, and also life after graduation, which is college.
For more information about freshmen, read the Sept. 6th article Summer reading assignments challenge students.
