By Siena Houk, Staff Writer
It’s an exciting new school year with the incoming Freshman Class of 2027. With the 2023-24 academic year starting up, freshmen may find it difficult to fit in and find their place. The new class has a wide range of thoughts on beginning a new chapter of schooling.
Everyone’s experience will be different, but it seems like many are finding these first few months to be not overburdening. Sydney Case said, “Freshman year has been pretty easy. I thought it’d be a lot harder than it is and honestly I’ve made a lot of friends, and the classes are pretty suitable.” Many students expressed that their expectations for class rigor and nerves were higher than they needed to be. But, it seems like the school year has been going well so far.
Sports and clubs have been a popular topic of discussion around the school – many freshmen are interested in learning about them and participating. “I play on the freshman volleyball team, I’m doing speech and debate, the Ice Hawks and I am doing a history club,” Mira Kalirai explained.
Specifically, volleyball and football have been quite welcoming to freshmen. A majority of their team’s players were seniors, so the teams are looking to rebuild and invest in new, younger players.
This is a big relief for kids trying to be a bigger part of the community. River Hill has opened up many new clubs and is always looking to ameliorate the environment surrounding us.
River Hill has created a very open space and continues to improve their school. They have done a good job of listening to their students’ demands but the freshmen have some good ideas on how to better the school.
Michelle Martinez says, “I would like to see teachers explain the work that we are supposed to be doing in class. There are a lot of teachers that just expect us to already know the material we are learning in class and I don’t quite understand that.” This is understandable and it would make sense why some people would be struggling to keep up.
Earlier this year we had a freshmen orientation to hopefully instruct kids on where to go and how to find their classes. Serena Soldavin’s opinion on that is “that it was really helpful because I got to see who was in my classes and I also got to see where my classes were in the building and how I’d be able to get from class to class.” Others had similar experiences in having a headstart to their year by knowing their way around the building.
For any freshmen nervous about starting fresh don’t be! Gilead Ola says “just be yourself and stay true to yourself. Classes aren’t as hard as they may seem and as long as you get your work in on time you will be fine.” If you stay on top of your work classes will fly by. Don’t be nervous about growing up.
Overall, a new school may seem scary but others are going through the same thing as you. Don’t be afraid to speak out and voice your opinion. These experiences will be some of your best!