Toward the beginning of the school year, freshmen are flooded with an overwhelming amount of new things. They only ask for one thing: answers.
Some freshmen are unsure of whom to turn to with these questions. Luckily, that is where OH seniors can step in. Two in particular supported the responses to frequent-freshman questions: OH seniors Olivia Krupinski and Jwirya Abouhiba.
Specifically, OH freshman Autumn Moe wondered a common question posed by her fellow new Panthers: what is the high school workload is like?
Krupinski, who has earned a 4.0 GPA, said that the workload is dependent on how you handle it, and “if you do not do your homework, [or] if you hold it off for so long, you’re gonna have a bigger workload.”
Abouhaiba, agreed that workload is bigger. “[It’s] more than middle school,” she said, “but if you are organized, then it is easy.”
Abouhaiba has also been on the honor roll and has taken a multitude of AP and honors classes, using tools like organization to manage the increased workload presented to students in high school.
With the changes of workload and different classes in high school, freshman students additionally wonder what are the best Advanced Placement (AP) classes are to take, as these are not offered in junior high.
Abouhaiba’s best AP course “was AP Seminar, because it really prepared me for college.”
While more challenging courses, like AP classes, might present a challenge, those can ultimately be rewarding. Krupinski added that she “really enjoyed [AP United States History, but] it [was] a harder class.”
There are more opportunities for honors courses in high school; therefore, many students, like freshman Rameen Ademuyiwa, wonder if students can get recommended for honors in their freshman year, along with what these classes are like.
To this, Krupiniski explained that in freshman year, students are usually placed into what they are recommended for, but they do have a few choices.
Abouhaiba explained how “advanced classes in high school are a little bit more rigorous, so you have to really lock in and do your work,” in order to pass a class.
Along with the topic of courses, freshman Maryam Ansari wonders if students can switch classes and get course changes. Krupinski explained that “the first two weeks of the school year, you can get your course changed.”
Abouhaiba added that students would be placed into an Academic Study Period (study hall) if a class is dropped.
School events change, too. Which is why freshman Anthony Maritinez asked what a pep rally is.
Krupinski answered that pep rallies are “where the whole school comes together, and [watches] the cheerleaders perform and the dancers perform. [I]t’s just a really fun thing to do.”
Vending machines are also a new high school functionality. Many students, like freshman Avery Thomas, have wondered if the vending machines even work.
The vending machines “only work the first three periods [that] aren’t a lunch period,” Abouhaiba answers.
Finally, a bigger school comes with more rules. Freshman Brianna Burrell asked why students need a pass to the nurse when they are hurt.
“Just for safety, like the passes let teachers know that you are excused,” Abouhaiba answered. She also clarified that the passes are used “in case of a lockdown or a fire drill.”
Even with many questions having answers, high school can be a lot. So freshman, like Lillian Orr, asked seniors to state the best piece of advice that they can offer.
“Be open to anything new,” Abouhiba said. “Take new clubs, meet new friends, because these are the people you’re sticking with for the four years.”
In terms of academic support, she recommended that freshman “be super organized. Organization is… the number one, most important thing in high school,” she added.
Additionally, Krupinski advised to “Work hard, do your homework, manage your time, and you start learning that stuff, then, it’ll follow throughout high school.”
She said, “learn how to manage your time, figure out an organization system, get to know your teachers, just basic stuff, so you can be prepared for the next three years of high school.”
Overall, high school may seem overwhelming, but it is not all bad. “My high school [experience] was super fun!” Abouhaiba added with a smile.
Hi! I am Stephanie Mayorga, a staff reporter and Spanish Section Editor for 42Fifty. I am a Junior and am excited for my first year in 42Fifty! You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name on the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
Hello!!! My name is Jia Nair, and I am a sophomore at Oswego High School. It is my first year on the staff 42Fifty. At OHS, I am involved in BIONIC, Youth and Government, Girl Scouts, and Business Professionals of America. I also serve as the president of The Rightfully Project. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication.
