As the new school year begins, it is natural for students to feel overwhelmed by the challenges and changes that come with it. This is accurate for freshmen who are transitioning from middle school to high school, as they are faced with a whole new set of experiences and expectations.
High school can bring about challenges and adjustments for students that they may not have ever faced before. As freshmen face the new challenges that come with being high school students, they may experience worries and concerns.
This new experience of being a high schooler can bring about a range of emotions as they navigate through unfamiliar territory.
“I felt anxious, but also a sense of excitement, as transitioning into high school was not easy,” said freshman Tamanh Nguyen. Many of the freshmen can agree with the feeling of anxiety and excitement while starting a new school year.
One of the concerns for the freshmen was the size of the campus. Many found it difficult that the size of the campus was significantly larger than their middle school.
“My only worry was how big the campus is compared to my middle school,” said Maycee McCrumb. “Getting lost and navigating my way around the campus were my concerns.”
The various halls, classrooms, and buildings of the Burroughs campus can be overwhelming and make it challenging to navigate for newcomers. However, many of them didn’t find this challenging as Link Crew was there to help them during the orientation.
“I didn’t really encounter any struggles during my first week, thanks to the orientation I was able to find all the halls I had to go to,” said freshman Taylor Johnson.
As some freshmen find going from middle school to high school very difficult, it is common for them to find it a challenge to adapt to the new academic setting, struggling to keep up with their classes and homework.
“Entering high school, I was definitely nervous. I didn’t quite know what to expect, especially when it came to workload, if I would like my teachers, and if I would enjoy my classes,” said Johnson.
Burroughs staff members and teachers did their part to help students feel welcome and comfortable, both in their classes and in finding their way around the various halls.
“I have had several students ask for help in finding their classes during the first week of school,” said Math Teacher Katie Wadley. “I also passed maps out to many of my freshman classes.”
Once they put the first week’s uncertainty behind them, freshman students are often very enthusiastic about many other aspects of starting high school. The most enjoyable aspects of beginning high school are the opportunities to make friends, participate in clubs, and engage in sports.
“I think there are a few things that make the high school great,” said Johnson. “You are at an age where you have a little more freedom, there are so many different programs, sports, and clubs you can be involved in. So many unique, extraordinary people, and just overall a fun time if you make it!”
One of the first lessons freshmen learn is that many of the concerns we initially have often turn out to be less significant than we anticipate. By approaching things with an open mind, we can navigate through challenges with a greater sense of ease and find that many worries are not as overwhelming as we might have thought.
