Anxiety, stress over grades, assignments, being late to class, getting lost. Do these sound familiar to what you’re experiencing? These are some feelings and emotions that freshmen are experiencing in their first year in high school. These feelings can occur at the beginning of the school year and can continue to happen through the year. The student body all around the world is affected by this but especially for those in dual enrollment high schools since they are also taking college courses.
In the beginning, most freshmen fear their first year of high school. Some might feel that it’s stressful, overwhelming, or confusing. For instance, freshman Z Calebra feels like they get overwhelmed with all the pressure in MCHS. Calebra used very strong words to describe how stressful and how much pressure can be portrayed in a life as a high school student.
“So one fear is that we are expected a lot from us, pressure can build up, we really don’t have room to make mistakes or anything. Either we go to college or we don’t; if we don’t we are a disappointment to family and friends,” Calebra said.
Freshman Mars Leon also mentioned something very similar to Calebra. Leon explains how they are afraid of making mistakes, specifically the same mistake over and over again.
“I guess the anxiety of having to go through the same thing again and making that mistake again in your new classes,” Leon said.
However, there are more feelings than just feeling overwhelmed. Some might not feel lost; they may enjoy the school activities and don’t mind the workload.
Freshman Camila Monterrey doesn’t have any fears here that involve work, since she has found a way around it. She stated how she was having difficulties understanding the concept in her math class, and she explained to us that she found a solution.
“I’m watching videos to help me in geometry class,” Monterrey said.
Despite these fears, freshmen might have a common thread of support from teachers and peers that help alleviate some of this stress. Everyone has their own experience, and some might feel overwhelmed.
Leon and Monterrey have advice for their peers.
“Don’t procrastinate,” Monterrey said.
“Use your time wisely in CCR; that hour and thirty minutes really helps getting work done,” Leon said.
