By: Elise Hyde
Going into freshman year can be difficult, nerve wracking, and exciting. Transitioning from a middle school to a high school is a big transition. Students transition to a bigger school, lots of new faces, finding classes on two separate campuses, as well as trying to get familiar with how things run.
There is a lot to get used to as a freshman. I had the chance to talk to several freshmen about how they felt at the beginning of the school year and how they feel they are doing now, half way through the year. Most of the freshmen interviewed agreed that transitioning into the biggest high school inVisalia was frightening, but as the year continues they feel more relaxed and familiar with how things run.
I also talked about what events they were most looking forward to and what they were most nervous about when starting off the year.
Maddison Fortney 23′ was most nervous about transitioning into a bigger school because she went to a small middle school and did not know what to expect on a larger campus with more students. Fortney was also worried about finding new friends. Fortney says that the Link Crew Orientation helped her a lot because if she didn’t go to the orientation during the summer she said she would have been lost.
Fortney says, “I looked forward to soccer and the rallies the most because I love soccer and making a team for Redwood is really exciting. And, I love school spirit.” Fortney reported that she has felt more relaxed and confident between passing periods now that is half way through her freshman year.
Clarrisa Martinez 23′ was most nervous about upperclassmen and finding her classes because she did not have the chance to go to the orientation that Link Crew hosted over the summer. Martinez had a hard time finding her classes during the first two days of school, but some upperclassmen showed her the way to several of her classes.
Martinez feels that Redwood is a welcoming and friendly place to all students.
Martinez looked forward to cowhide the most because everyone participated in all the school spirit and it was really exciting leading up to the great football game with all the fun traditions that come along with it. Martinez says, ” I definitely feel way more relaxed and calm halfway through freshman year because I know where all my classes are, and I am used to the school system.”
Olivia Saenz 21′ was most nervous about finding new friends and finding a new group. mHowever, she went to Link Crew Orientation over the summer and met a lot of very friendly and outgoing people. Saenz thinks Redwood makes freshmen feel welcomed and apart of the school.
Saenz looked forward to soccer season the most because soccer is her favorite sport and making a Redwood team is very exciting since she has followed the team over the past few years.
Jocelyn Arellano ’23 was most nervous about entering a big environment and seeing lots of new faces. She most looked forward to Cowhide because of all the hype and school spirit, “It was cool!” Arellano stated that people were helpful in pointing her to her classes at the start of school, so that made it an easy transition for her. She reflected, “Now, I feel less stressed and more relaxed and confident with the passing periods and school system.”
Anisa Soto ’23 was homeschooled during middle school, so she felt nervous about being back in traditional school and navigating the campus and changing classes. She had a hard time finding her classes at first, but friends were very helpful in figuring it all out. Soto said she most looked forward to soccer season and making new friends on the team. Soto exclaimed, “Freshman year has gone by very fast. I’m excited about continuing to learn all the fun things that go on at Redwood High school throughout the school year.” She shared that she’s “most stressed out about finals, and I’m not really sure what to expect.” But, she likes that “Redwood is a welcoming and friendly place. Upper classmen have helped me find classes and teachers have been helpful and open to answering questions.”
Overall, the freshman interviewed agreed that Redwood is a welcoming place and that they feel more relaxed as the year goes on and also look forward to the rest of the school year.