Thoughts about high school and beyond from our intern, Nierra
As my graduation approaches, I’d like to recap my high school experience. No doubt, it was equivalent to the Kingda Ka (the most dramatic rollercoaster at Six Flags in North America!). From half a freshman year to my senior graduation, I can now (almost) say “I did it!”
My freshman year was such a transition. I feel like every upcoming sophomore could agree with this. The transition from middle to high school was so drastic. From being 13 in a class with 13- year-olds, to being 14 in a class with 18-year-olds. For my first year in a new school, I did fairly well. Adjusting to the new people was the most difficult part. Becoming a freshman is comparable to being a new employee. You look up to the ones who've been there longer. Due to COVID-19, roughly half of my freshman year was cut off. My sophomore year was also completely virtual.
I feel like my whole sophomore year was snatched from me. Every 2023 graduating senior feels different about virtual school. Personally, I feel like it was what you made it. I did not enjoy online classes. I feel like it was difficult to adapt to, especially when you’ve never done something like that before. Being disconnected from friends, internet connection issues, the loss of motivation. Sophomore year was overall quite difficult for me.
The transition from in-person courses to virtual courses was bad, but let's not forget to mention the return to in-person school from virtual school. Even now, I feel like school still isn't the same. I continue to even wear a mask (optional, of course). At the beginning of my junior year, school proceeded with the option to go in-person or online. I chose in-person. At this time, we started using iPads. It was much more difficult doing the work online since it was new to us all - students and teachers. Near the end of the year things got a little easier, and everything started slowly returning to normal.
At last, my senior year has approached. I was so nervous about this year. I started taking college courses at DDCC for Early Childhood Education. I’ve started coming out of my shell more by doing internships. This year helped me to develop more as an adult and gain more independence. I’ve met amazing people. I’ve had many opportunities to learn about different career paths and job opportunities. I feel like this year has been the most rigorous for me, considering college acceptances, career choices, keeping up my grades, etc. Much of my future can be determined by the choices I make today. Like every senior, graduation couldn’t come any faster. I am eager to see what is to come next.
