Learning the Ropes
SYDNEY LEWIS | OCT. 10, 2017 | FEATURES
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (SCPDA) — For both new and returning students at Stanton College Preparatory School, the first quarter is usually a hectic and stressful time. Being introduced to new teachers and a demanding class schedule after two months of summer is an unpleasant experience for many. For those who view the first quarter with apprehension, finding the motivation to start the new year off strong can be a struggle.
“It’s a year full of limitless potential, as long as you can utilize it correctly.”
Nonetheless, while coming back to school signifies the end of a period of relaxation and the beginning of a challenging new school year, it also allows students to take advantage of a fresh start.
“I was actually slightly excited to come back to school because junior year is the year you make it or break it,” said junior Kelsey Zhu. “It’s a year full of limitless potential, as long as you can utilize it correctly.”
In the commotion of the first quarter, extracurriculars have proven to be a popular outlet for relieving stress and an effective distraction from the burden of school.
“My favorite part of the first quarter is definitely starting up cross country,” said Zhu, who has been on Stanton’s cross country team for three years. “I’m generally a lot more efficient during the season.”
Photo taken by Prachi Misra
For many student athletes, the encouragement and sense of community fostered by being on a team can serve as a guide through the challenges of the first quarter. Not only is Zhu balancing a rigorous schedule and cross country, she is also starting her first year as an officer for Mu Alpha Theta, Stanton’s Math Honor Society, which requires significant time and planning, especially in the first week chool.
“It’s definitely put more stress on my plate in terms of tasks to finish,” said Zhu. “We are in charge of setting the agenda and requirements for the upcoming year. We all work together to try to bring new opportunities to the club.”
While upperclassmen such as Zhu are familiar with the back to school process at Stanton, this experience is foreign to freshmen. It not only entails readjustment to a fixed schedule, but exposure to a completely different environment — high school. For them, the unfamiliarity of Stanton’s campus and customs makes adjusting to the first quarter especially difficult.
“It was really nerve-wracking coming into a new environment, especially since I came from a small private school,” said freshman Miriam Alrahil, who attended Christ the King Catholic School before coming to Stanton.
“My goal this year is simply to survive. Senioritis is deadly and I’m already infected. So now the only option is to fight the urge to procrastinate more and to just get through the year.”
Alrahil is among many freshmen who face the same daunting prospect of starting high school at a school renowned for its challenging curriculum. But academic rigor is not the only problem facing students. The first quarter brings with it new social challenges as well. Most students find themselves in new classes with unfamiliar faces. Considering students usually turn to friends to get them through their classes, and sitting in a room full of strangers can be intimidating. People of all grade levels join clubs or sports in hopes of finding people with similar interests to bond with.
“This year, I want to make close friends, get involved in school activities, especially drama club, get good grades and just make this year memorable,” said Alrahil.
While underclassmen are more focused on finding their place in the first quarter, seniors tend to set their sights on ending the year strong and getting their diploma.
“My goal this year is simply to survive,” said senior Rohan Madathil. “Senioritis is deadly and I’m already infected. So now the only option is to fight the urge to procrastinate more and to just get through the year.”
Senioritis doesn’t exclusively impact seniors, but it is far more prevalent in their lives, particularly as the year wears on. Because of this, a strong first quarter can act as a cushion for later months when academic performance often declines.
“To be honest I didn’t think I would fall into the very trap I was warned against so much last year, but as college applications came in front of me, school started slipping out of mind. I realized I had to catch myself and set some goals to help keep me motivated,” said Madathil.
While most seniors are eagerly looking forward to their final year at Stanton, many also take this time to reflect on the past. The realization that their final year at Stanton is beginning can create feelings of nostalgia and shape their attitudes towards the first quarter.
“The fact that high school is almost over hasn’t hit me too hard yet. I can still remember the first day of freshman year and looking back I see how much my friends and I have grown,” said Madathil. “Stanton has shaped our characters and made us who we are today. I can’t say I’m overjoyed about leaving Stanton and all the students I have gotten to know so well, but certainly I am excited to start this new chapter of my life in college.”
While Madathil is entering his last year at Stanton, freshman such as Alrahil have a long road ahead of them. Though the start of a new school year may appear overwhelming at first, students often discover that the shift is not as bad as they originally thought.
Stanton has exceeded my expectations,” said Alrahil. “It’s an amazing school that I am learning to love. I can’t wait to see what else Stanton has in store for me.”
The first quarter is a heavy leaf to turn, but it is filled with opportunities for students who are willing to put in time and effort to take advantage of them. For those struggling to readjust back to Stanton the first quarter, the key to success might be an extracurricular, support from friends, or a more positive outlook. With the proper mindset, it can transform from a stressful occasion to a welcome opportunity to set the foundation for a successful year.
This story appeared in Volume 34, Issue 1 of the Devil's Advocate, published in October 2017. Read the full issue here.