CAPTION: At the end of the first week of school, there was an all-school assembly to welcome students back. The senior class made a tunnel to greet everyone as they were dismissed from the assembly
The first week of school is always the most hectic. From transitioning to a different seating area, adjusting to new teachers, to changing gears from the slow paced summer break, there’s a lot that students have to adjust to. No matter what grade they are in, high school students begin the year with a period of transition.
Seniors enter the new school year at the top of the school pyramid, “one year away from freedom,” as it is often said. With impending college applications coming up in the fall, the first quarter is already stressful for some. Kamalei Canionero, a senior, said, “My schedule is packed. Sometimes, I have to go in to get help at lunch. I’m kind of burnt out already.” She also jokes that she’s in disbelief about becoming a senior. “Maybe the senioritis hasn’t hit yet, but personally, it feels like I’m going to have another year of high school after this. I feel a little emotional, because I have to go into the big world after this,” she added.
Senior year is also a reminder that time in school needs to be treasured. Alaina Young said, “There’s some sort of finality in senior year, I think it’s really beautiful to see everyone kind of come out of their shell in a way. I have a lot of my friends in my classes to help me stay on track while also having fun.”
Like the seniors, the juniors are also faced with a high stakes year. AP classes, the SAT and the ACT are at the top of their minds as they enter what some call “the year that counts the most” when it comes to grades. The first week can be overwhelming, as the classes get harder and the homework load gets bigger. Sophia Tung, a junior, said, “I wasn’t expecting APs to be the way they are. I’m actually having a little bit of trouble… There’s a lot of stuff coming at me at once.” Even before the first grade check, Tung felt pressured to do better. “Coming into junior year, I’m already pre-stressed out from all the rumors. I think I give myself a five out ten with how I’m handling everything,” she said after a week of school.
The sophomores are arguably in the sweet spot relative to the other grades. No longer new but not yet upperclassmen, they can settle into what some call the “forgotten year.” However, getting back into the swing of school is still a challenge for some. “Last year, I noticed how in the beginning of the school year it was very easy,” said Katana Viloria, a sophomore. “This year it’s definitely a lot harder as in increasing the work load. I have to pay attention more and try a lot harder if I want to succeed with an A this quarter.” Although the first week has been manageable, she said that she expects it to get a lot harder as the quarter progresses.
The freshmen have moved up from middle school and are introduced to a whole new campus with different classes, increased workloads, and opportunities for more extracurricular activities. While it’s an exciting transition for many of them, there is also a lot to get used to. Kaila Brownfield, a freshman, said, “I definitely think there is a lot more responsibility that falls on you to keep up with classes, but I enjoy it because it helps me become a better person.”
Even teachers have to get back into the swing of things. Although they have an extra week-and-a-half at school before classes begin, the ‘first week’ effect still exists for them. Waking up early, fine-tuning their curriculum, and restructuring lectures can eat up a lot of their free time. Mrs. Alexandra Taylor, English teacher, said, “The students, coming back, are kind of shell-shocked. [It’s the] same as always; it’s the first week. With all the new teachers, it’s a big transition.” In the first week of school, Taylor decided to try out a new routine. “I’m doing something new this year,” she said, “keeping track of everything in a bullet journal. A Bujo.” Taylor suggested that students should do the same to get organized the old fashioned way. “I’ve been reading up on technology and how it causes a lot of stress. This is definitely the year of the planner. Also, take advantage of your Z periods. It’s a useful time to talk to teachers,” she added.
The new school year also kicked off with a new vice principal, Mr. Jason Hew. Hew said, “I started two weeks before the first day of school, and was already flooded with information…. It can be hard for me to just take words and then immediately understand how it’s working, I have to process it.” Despite initial uncertainties, Mr. Hew is determined and is taking his job seriously. “One of the biggest challenges I’m having is the dress code… I think it’s going to be an uphill battle,” he said. After one week of school, he said, “This week has been exciting, and I’m really hopeful about this year.”
