School season has officially started, and grade levels are being promoted a notch! From elementary to middle to high school, there are new students appearing everywhere. I asked an incoming 9th grader what they think about the transition, the work assigned, how high schools are handling life after Covie-19, and more!
Leena Mishka is a high school freshman this new school year and has had some time to adjust to the atmosphere. There are some classes where you are free to choose an elective, so long as they conform with the required credits for graduation. “I think as a freshman as long as you take on a certain amount of classes you should be alright in terms of credit”. She also recommends getting work done as soon as possible, saying “it will help get work off your plate so you can relax”.
Due to this year being right after the coronavirus pandemic and some schools returning back to campus life, there are still concerns in the air about the safety of the students and staff. “Everyone is wearing masks, so facial recognition is a little bit harder, but I was also surprised by the lack of safety protocols. I’m not sure if surfaces are sanitized, I noticed that [in] classes [we are] all grouped together, not socially distanced compared to how it would have been in hybrid learning”. In fact, around 84% of schools transitioned into some form of hybrid learning where strict mandates were put in place, with schools possibly being a bit too relaxed with safety. “If the school isn’t sanitizing surfaces regularly then it could be an issue. And also, I don’t know how much testing is going on either”.
In middle school, there are options to join a sport, band, clubs, and many other activities. Should you take them in preparation for high school? Leena recommends participating in some extracurricular activities to better transition and have them on your record to look good for colleges. “It’s ok to get out of your comfort zone”.
In general, freshman year is described to be a “test in the water” to see how much schoolwork is acceptable for each person, “I am thinking it might be harder for people who took a lot of things on, to not only complete all the workloads to the best of their abilities but also juggle with getting introduced back to school after the pandemic”.
Sources:
Interview with Leena Mishka
Lieberman, M. (2021, November 11). How hybrid learning is (and is not) working during COVID-19: 6 case studies. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/how-hybrid-learning-is-and-is-not-working-during-covid-19-6-case-studies/2020/11
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