How the First-Year Class is Handling Their Freshman Year

High school transition is a large one—a time of anxiety, excitement, and plenty of adjustment. From learning to navigate a new campus to keeping track of a tougher class schedule, freshmen have a unique set of challenges to battle as they navigate their freshman year. With some months now behind them, how are they navigating the transition?

For others, high school has been a haze so far, with new sports teams and clubs, as well as harder classes. Others might still be adjusting to the new freedom and responsibility of this new level. From the thrill of making new friends to the stress of their first big exams, there have already been plenty of experiences for the freshman class to recall. As we catch up with the newest members of our school community, we’ll hear their biggest surprises, toughest transitions, and what they’ve learned about themselves along the way. Wherever they are on the journey to success, one thing is certain—this first year is shaping their high school years in ways they never saw coming.

Since freshman year is almost over, we figured it was the perfect time to sit down with these young adventurers. The response to our inquiries was not a disappointment. We asked the following:

What are the worst things about being a freshman?

What are the best things about being a freshman?

What middle school did you go to?

Has an upperclassman welcomed you first?

What is your favorite class?

Do you know Mr. Schaff?

Do you like waffles?

We received a variety of answers but decided to highlight some:

Jaime “the villain” Gullo:

Hardest challenge: “Not knowing people, also upperclassmen with superiority complexes, which I sort of get but is still annoying.”

Best part: “Meeting new people, learning about things I am interested in. Some teachers feel sorry for us and do not give as hard late points, I guess easier classes.”

Middle school: “SOA, but I was a piano kid, so it’s chill.”

Favorite class: “Biology.”

Upperclassman interaction: “Nah.”

Mr. Schaff: “No.”

Waffles: “No.”

Ailin Norales:

Biggest challenge: “Just getting used to the different things about high school, such as midterms, exams, finals, and having to do service hours every year.”

Best part: “Meeting new people and trying new things.”

Middle school: “Charleston County School of the Arts.”

Upperclassman interaction: “Only a couple of times.”

Favorite class: “English with Mrs. Akery.”

Mr. Schaff: “Kind of.”

Waffles: “Yes.”

Elias Adams:

Biggest challenge: “Increased workload, having like three tests in a week, Algebra 2.”

Best part: “Seeing William Gable’s beautiful face.”

Middle school: “East Cooper Montessori.”

Upperclassman interaction: “Yes, Benjamin Chadwick.”

Favorite class: “English or AP Human Geography.”

Mr. Schaff: “Nope.”

Waffles: “Yes.”

Themes and Observations

Waffles: This is the most surprising of our responses because we thought everyone liked waffles but I guess not.

Based on these responses, it’s clear the freshman class has experienced a varied assortment this year. One experience the students shared in common was the adjustment to a heavier workload. High school is a more competitive school environment, and students have to handle more than one assignment, project, and test simultaneously. Every freshman complained about how many tests they have in a week, which they were not used to in middle school.

Lastly, social life at high school has been a staple of their experience. Some students have found it difficult to connect with new people, especially if they had previously attended small middle schools where they knew many of the students in their class already. Others have spent time broadening their circle of friends, citing clubs, sports, and classes as great ways to meet new people. Their encounter with upperclassmen also differs—while some of the freshmen have had good encounters with upperclassmen going out of their way to get in touch, others have found upperclassmen to be less welcoming or even intimidating.

In conclusion we found that many freshmen found it challenging to be a magnet student with a common theme being an increased workload and a harder time managing their time. Many students also stated that being in a new environment and having different middle schools mixing together has made it hard to make friends initially in a new environment. Some common themes for the best things about being a freshman are the new experiences and making new friends. The freshman class also said that they like not having a lot of pressure and still have 3 years left here. I would agree with that but make sure you do not slack off freshman year because it is hard to get your GPA back up if it goes down. For middle schools they were from all over the place ranging from SOA to Charleston Day to Haut Gap Middle School.