by Ja’shia Mathews

High school is an adjustment for any student. Every person is trying to discover who they are in a not-so-forgiving climate. It’s very stressful to transition from middle school to high school.

Freshman Isabella Stewart said, “I talked to my big sister who is already in high school. She helped me prepare for high school, and I try to prepare myself mentally.  It isn’t easy making friends. Everybody is very judgy and looks mean. Work has been easy for me for the first couple of weeks.” 

She added, “The food is better than my middle school food. The lunchroom is much more organized, and I like sitting anywhere I want with my friends.” 

Freshman Kayla Taylor, said, “High school is harder than eighth grade because it is tough to learn the work. Jeff High is a huge school, but most of the kids and teachers are nice and help a lot.” 

High school is a struggle for freshmen coming into a large school from middle school, especially when adjusting to the amount of academic work.

For example, freshman Chris Allen said, “There is a lot of work. We get new assignments each day.”

Allen said he relies on his older siblings for help in school. 

“If I don’t know it I ask my older sister and brothers. I have a lot of support at home that helps me throughout the school year.”

Some classes are very easy for Allen and remind him of middle school.

“Coming into high school is tough. People try to pick on you because you’re very small and they think because you’re a freshman you can’t be good at certain things.”

JHS does have programs in place to help incoming freshmen adjust to high school life.

For example, some freshmen expressed gratitude towards their Academy principal, Holly Bernard-Bramlett, for her efforts in facilitating their academic journey. 

According to her, “They are all on teams, and we have meetings to discuss any issues and touch base.”

Bernard-Bramlett assumed the role of Freshman Academy principal in 2020, acknowledging the significant influence of freshmen in high school. She emphasized that just as the freshmen were learning about high school life, she was also acclimating herself to the role.  

High school is a journey of self-discovery, and every adolescent who enters it leaves changed by their experience. That is the true meaning of high school.