Who doesn’t enjoy a peaceful school environment with no bickering teens blocking every corner of the building? Hallways that radiate the right kind of friendly energy good enough to get you through your day? I know I do. After stressful periods that span so long you yearn to be enclosed in the comfort of your home, you’d hope to get through your day without any disruptions, distractions, or better yet: nuisances.
Since the first day of school: friend groups formed all throughout the school. New freshmen, like me, have been finding their high school identities that we’ll be needing for the next four bustling years of our school life.
Symone Carre describes the experience for herself and fellow freshmen.
” I think it’s pretty hard for myself and other freshmen to fit in and find their true identities. It’s definitely been hard because no one really knows what they want to do in life and I don’t either. I’m working towards finding my career and how to aspire towards my official goal. I think the freshmen see themselves as good people. From where I stand I also think everyone is pretty much a good person. I don’t think anyone is acting too grown up because for the most part we all act our age and we will mature more and more as we go through high school.”
I’m sure the thought of being a high schooler must’ve been far too surreal for some because the energy is at an all time high.
It’s no surprise the hallways are filled with people journeying off to their next classes in a hurry, or not; but it sure should be a surprise when you realize that there are downright catch- up sessions in the very space crucial to fit all the students housed in Pace!
We are trekking through our fourth month of the school year and I already feel exhausted walking through the doors of school every morning because I feel as if I receive my education in a zoo. I may be no upperclassmen, but who can blame me for thinking like one every now and then.
I recall bumping into a junior friend of mine, and she wore quite the long face that day. Worried of what the issue must’ve been that she’d even bother mentioning it to a youngling like me; I let curiosity get the best of me. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
She said something along the lines of “I’ve never bumped into so many freshmen in my life, they’re everywhere and it’s driving me crazy.” As much of a blur as it was thinking back to it, I grasped her complaint enough to realize that she’s completely right. Of course she’d come to a freshman like myself. I may be part of the issue, I may be the very freshman who made her late to her class, the freshmen that bumped into her by accident and intensified her annoyance and I sure don’t want to be complaining about obnoxious teens anytime soon. I’m sure this issue stems from the idea that freshmen believe they’re adults once they walk through the doors of their new high school, and that they can live like kings and queens while no one says a word about it. But the question is, what exactly will enable students to enjoy school and not be rowdy about it?
To all current and future freshmen: everyone wants to get through school as much as you do. Make the right decisions and you’re bound to be on the right track. Anyone can tell for themselves when a decision isn’t a very wise one and for the sake of living out your teen years to the fullest it may become a blur.
We must remember that to maintain a safe space and quality learning environment, we need to balance out our social needs with the mindfulness of others. This may be an uphill battle for many to come to terms with, but having fun can be done peacefully.
