This school year, I am currently a sophomore in high school. However, the reason why this year is so significant is because this is my first year experiencing high school in person. I was definitely nervous and excited at the same time; I didn’t know what to expect at all. All I knew beforehand was that it was going to be a different experience than middle school, and it was proven correct after finally attending high school.
In high school, one thing that I’ve especially learned is that along with the more difficult curriculum you receive, there are so many amazing teachers that educate their students to truly grasp the concepts. Not only do they teach the subject itself, but they also go into depth about what it really means. As a sophomore, I have more advanced classes, and plenty of my teachers are very passionate about what they’re teaching. This helps my classmates and me learn a subject, and also enjoy it just as much as they do. Also, I would say that sitting physically in class is a completely distinct feeling, much different from sitting in your chair at home. I also feel that I am more aware and actively participating in class discussions. This is great because it helps me understand when something is being debated and gives me the ability to contribute.
Independence is also a concept that everyone gets to experience for the first time in school. There are many activities and rules that actually make everyone independent. A common example is walking around campus, as it becomes one’s responsibility to make every class on time without being late. I have admired this, as it gives me a taste of how it feels for everything to depend on how I partake in something. In addition, it is beneficial to my future because it gives me an idea on how it’s going to be when I’m on my own.. This also means that high school students have a significant amount of freedom as well, compared to junior high. For Los Osos High School, this includes phones being allowed on campus, a student store being available all day, and even being able to listen to music during class. It is definitely a somewhat interesting feeling having all of this freedom.
Overall, high school is a surreal experience. There are several new aspects that will take some time getting used to, but it’ll all be worth it in the end. Freedom and independence are a huge part of the experience, undoubtedly, and are the keys that makes high school what it is today. I truly cannot wait to fully transition into what I’ve missed out and to make the most out of my time here.
Andrew Chung, Grade 10
Los Osos High School
