As this final semester comes to a close, I constantly find myself reflecting on my time as a freshman and the changes that have occurred along the way.
I have come to learn that high school really is nothing like middle school, especially for both a new freshman and a transfer student. On my first day, I knew no one, save for a couple of fellow transfer students that had attended middle school with me. Within the span of the very first period, teachers were beginning their slew of year-long lessons. Practically alone and thrust into a new environment, I’ll admit that I was confused and a little bit frightened.
Fast forward to the end of the year and everything has changed. I am constantly amazed by the contrast between the person I started this year as and the person I have become throughout it. I know these hallways now, as well as the people that walk them.
Making friends in an unfamiliar environment was decidedly difficult. It wasn’t until well into the school year that I finally found a comfortable group of friends and even then, it was nowhere near as large as the ones that existed in middle school. Friendships were much closer and more personal.
Freshman year makes a big deal out of discovering your niche and finding a role in the community. For some people, that niche may be sports, creative writing, artistry or any of the other numerous activities available here. For me, it was my journalism class. By tracking and reporting on events in the community, I became a member of the community.
With such a large focus on specialized activities, I didn’t even have time to react to a much more rigorous workload. I was forced to adapt at a very quick pace and suddenly found myself under the constant worry that I wasn’t as smart as I used to think I was. Perhaps the most difficult task I had to overcome this year was accepting that I can’t be the best at everything I do. Knowing my limits and giving myself some slack was incredibly liberating and I’m much better off for it.
Freshman year was equal parts exciting and terrifying and I can only begin to imagine what awaits me in the next three years of my life.