Freshman year; the year when 9th graders take a leap of faith in their educational careers and dive into the new adventures of high school.  For most, this can be scary, considering freshman are no longer the big fish in the little pond. From meeting new people to fostering old friendships, high school can be a rollercoaster filled with ups and downs. Finding the way around an unfamiliar building and worrying about upperclassmen and whether they may have malicious intent to contribute to making the transition from middle school more difficult can be extremely anxiety provoking. We surveyed freshmen students, asking them general questions about their high school experiences so far, and the results were fascinating.

When asked about how they felt leading up to the first day day of school, most freshmen responded similarly. Approximately 53% of the freshman student body surveyed said they experienced some type of stress prior to arriving to school on September sixth. 38% also claimed to be excited before the start of their first day and could not wait to see their new teachers and old friends. Whitman freshman, Brady Mondry expressed, “ I felt nervous and unsure of myself in my new surroundings.” When asked about his preparations before the start of the school year, he replied, “It took some time to get myself into the proper mindset of school because I still missed the summer.” According to Kids Health, (https://m.kidshealth.org/en/kids/back-to-school.html?WT.ac=ctg) most kids returning to school experience a similar sentiment of apprehensiveness, but also feel the excitement and joy the thought of new teachers, new friends, and/or a new school entail.

Another question we asked was what a freshman’s first day of school experience was like. 68% of the surveyed students had a favorable view of the first day of school for reasons such as being friends with the upperclassmen or playing on a sports team. The other 30% of students that didn’t have such a great first day said that they were stressed out over trying to figure out where their classes were and the amount of time it would take to fit in. Ivy Wise says,  (https://www.ivywise.com/ivywise-knowledgebase/newsletter/article/what-to-expect-your-freshman-year-of-high-school/) “the start of high school may be exciting, but it will be a big adjustment. There will be new classes, new teachers, new students, and often an entirely new campus to navigate. Your first day may leave you feeling lost and uncomfortable, but give it some time – every big change requires an adjustment period.” Freshman Gabrielle Girard expressed that her first day of school was exciting because “it was fun meeting my different teachers, talking to old friends, and forming new friendships.”

The third question we asked was if the students feel as though they have fully adjusted into high school life yet after almost two months of attendance. Not adjusting to life as a high schooler is the most prominent fear for most incoming freshmen. 66% of the freshmen said they have, in fact, adjusted to high school life and routines including the building layout, teaching styles, and schedules. Teachers, parents, friends, older siblings, upperclassmen, teammates, and/or coaches all aided the students by making this process much smoother. Whitman freshman Stephanie Ross told Paw Print that she feels completely adjusted to high school stating, “My friends and teammates have definitely helped me out, and I have learned my way around the building.” The remaining 34% percent of freshmen claimed not to have adjusted because they have not yet explored or taken advantage of everything Whitman has to offer. Fox News states that being involved in extracurricular activities, such as theater, honor societies, clubs, sports, etc., helps promote belonging (http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/07/29/7-tips-to-help-teens-successfully-transition-to-high-school.html) . Involvement in organized school activities fosters teamwork and a sense of belonging which ultimately leads to higher self-confidence.

Some may feel like they are the only nervous person coming into high school, but a lot of students this age feel the exact same way. The first day may be stressful, but the overall high school experience is unforgettable. It is important to have someone to look up to for guidance to help students figure out where to go or what extracurriculars to join and classes to take. While there is no Regina George or Sharpay Evans, high school can still be a challenge, but do not forget it could also be the best four years of your life.