Every year, just after Labor Day, students begin to set their alarm clocks and say goodbye to summer in preparation for the first day of school. For high school freshmen, the challenge of attending a new school looms in front of them. As the summer ends, there is an anxious scramble to check all school supplies, exchangeschedules with friends, and for some, finish summer reading.When the day finally arrives, students nervously gather on the school buses or wait in solitary apprehension on the drive to Ridge.
For upperclassmen, the first day of school is just another ordinary day at Ridge – new classes, new teachers, but the same old environment. They already know what to expect. For incoming freshmen, though, going to a new school can be a daunting task. Navigating the confusing school layout and managing honors and CP classes for the first time can be overwhelming.
Vishal Shah ’18 says, “I was mostly nervous about finding all of my classes, and getting shoved by the upperclassmen. But of course, nothing like that happened.”
On the other hand, Debbie Chu ’18 wasn’t too worried about navigating through the school: “I was most nervous about meeting my teachers and who was going to be in my classes. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to cooperate with my teachers and classmates around me.”
However, most of the freshmen found the first day of school not to be as terrifying as they imagined. Leslie Hwang ’18 states, “On the first day, it didn’t turn out to be as bad as I thought it would be. For the most part, I didn’t get too lost. As the week went on, I figured out the school for the most part.”
Additionally, many freshmen seem to enjoy Ridge more than middle school, mainly because of the new freedom it provides. Other students expressed other positive aspects of high school that were not offered in William Annin. This includes the vast majority of clubs for different interests, as well as the chance of meeting new people, both students and teachers.
As the days progress, the previously apprehensive freshmen seem to be overcoming their fears and flourishing in their new environment.
Stefanie Schoenfeld • Nov 16, 2015 at 11:46 am
I think it’s very true that the hype about juniors and seniors abusing the freshman is entirely untrue. I was a little afriad tht it would be kind of like an 80’s high scholl movie but it was nothing like that.
Sofia • Nov 16, 2015 at 11:40 am
I agree, because not matter how old you are, a new environment is always terrifying. A new school year can be scary, specially without knowing what to expect.
Loan • Nov 16, 2015 at 11:29 am
I agree with this article because it really applies to many of the students. Not only freshman, but as a current sophomore, I was also worried about the new school year. The new school year is different for everyone, but majority agrees that it is not as bad as it seems.