Everyone is always a little worried when they start something new.

At no other time is this more true than the beginning of your freshman year of high school. Students often think of their freshmen year as something horrendous and scary. However, by the end of the year, they realize it wasn’t so intimidating after all.

While the workload in high school is a lot different, students also have more opportunities to express themselves and showcase their unique talents.

“The freshman year is way better than middle school because there are more opportunities,” said freshmen Emily Fusco.

Students with singing abilities can audition for POPS, kids that are artistic can take art and display their work in the student art show, and writers and photographers are always welcome in the Eagle Eye.

“The work we do in our freshmen year wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be,” noted freshmen Brittney Williams.

One difference is that high school teachers are not on you as much about getting your work done, but because of this there is more responsibility. With this responsibility comes more freedom, if you give the teachers the respect they deserve.

“Teachers don’t bug you as much about having your work in, sometimes they don’t even tell you when its overdue,” said freshmen Noel Politza.

The teachers say that they see a big difference in the freshman from the beginning of the year to the end.

“They enter as middle schoolers and exit as sophomores!” exclaimed 9th grade teacher Leah Deskevich. 

And it’s true – over the course of the year students mature and become better accustomed to how to work and what is expected of them in high school.

“It is a joy to see a growth in students from September to May.  They are ready to take on the rigor of 10th grade,” noted Deskevich.

By this point in the school year most freshman have grown and their maturity level has gone up through the course of the year. Its amazing how much people can change in just a few months.

“I think my peers bother me a little less than they used too,” said freshmen Kathleen Cempa,”They are a little more mature, but only a little.”

The freshmen teachers are aware of students worries and work to alleviate their stress. They often work with students to improve their grades and help them transition better into high school life.

“I think its cool to give them a positive chance in high school,” said Deskevich.

With the completely different workload, students may have a hard time finding opportunities to complete their work. Fortunately, the freshman schedule provides 66 minutes during advisory to make sure that freshman have time to get their work done.

“It’s a good way to catch up on your work and study for important tests,” said freshman Rebecca Schleppy.

After tackling 9th grade and one more year out of the way, this year’s freshmen are prepared to take on the rest of high school.