A Look at the Freshman Transition
December 3, 2019
Going into high school can be such an exciting time for incoming freshmen but it can also be very overwhelming. New students look forward to new things that high school offers like joining new sports teams and new clubs; however, new students are also faced with many challenges too. Freshman students have to get used to a new school, new classes, new teachers and a brand new school campus. In order to see how this year’s transition went, I interviewed four incoming freshmen. The interviewees are Rhiana LoRe, Maria Lowe, Emily Baddour, and Ben Knight. I asked each of them the same questions. Here is what they had to say:
Rhiana LoRe:
- Q: What was your biggest struggle adjusting to Spalding?
A: Making friends and meeting new people.
- Q: What activities interest you?
A: Dance.
- Q: Do you feel that doing an extracurricular activity has helped you make friends?
A: Yes, because dance allowed me to meet upperclass students who gave me good advice on the transition to Spalding.
- Q: Are you excited for Homecoming and Spirit Week?
A: I’m very excited to get Instagram posts.
- Q: Did Freshman Orientation help you adjust to the school?
A: Yes, I got to see the school and learn my way around.
- Q: What is your favorite thing about Spalding?
A: I like how big Spalding is and how I have met a lot of friends.
Maria Victoria Lowe:
- Q: What was your biggest struggle adjusting to Spalding?
A: The grading system was a struggle because it was different..
- Q: What activities interest you?
A: Dance, Chorus, and Theater.
- Q: Do you feel that doing an extracurricular activity helped you make friends?
A: Yes, because you meet people by doing it.
- Q: Are you excited for Homecoming and Spirit Week?
A: Yes, because everyone had been talking about it for a while.
- Q: Did Freshman Orientation help you adjust to the school?
A: No, it was unnecessary. You were forced to meet people but [it was] useful for navigating the school. [It didn’t] make it more relaxed from a student standpoint.
- Q: What is your favorite thing about Spalding?
A: The people. Everyone is welcoming and kind of accepts you with open arms.
Emily Baddour:
- Q:What was your biggest struggle adjusting to Spalding?
A: Opening a locker because I never had to use one in middle school.
- Q: What activities interest you?
A: Dance because I have been doing it all of my life.
- Q: Do you feel that doing an extracurricular activity helped you make friends?
A: Yes, because I am with them a lot after school.
- Q: Are you excited for Homecoming and Spirit Week?
A: Yes, because I like dressing up for the different themes and coordinating with my friends.
- Q: Did Freshman Orientation help you adjust to the school?
A: Yes, because it showed me where all of my classes are located.
- Q: What is your favorite thing about Spalding?
A: Being a part of the dance program and competing to help win titles for the school.
Ben Knight:
- Q:What was your biggest struggle adjusting to Spalding?
A:Finding new friends. [It] was hard and meeting new people.
- Q:What activities interest you?
A:Any sport, I also play soccer and basketball.
- Q:Do you feel that doing an extracurricular activity helped you make friends?
A:Definitely [because] you met up everyday after school before the sport.
- Q:Are you excited for Homecoming and Spirit Week?
A:Yes, everyone is excited and is talking about what they are gonna wear.
- Q:Did freshmen orientation help you adjust to the school?
A:Yes, because it showed you how to get to your classes and meet people.
- Q:What is your favorite thing about Spalding?
A:The people at the school and the way they make the school welcoming. Everyone is kind and outgoing.