Journalism 1 student Maggie Kelleher stands facing the Clarke Central High School Ceremonial Entrance about to enter for her first day of school as a freshman on Aug. 7, 2018. Illustration by Maggie Kelleher
Journalism 1 student Maggie Kelleher shares her experiences transitioning from Burney-Harris- Lyons Middle School to Clarke Central High School.
On the first day of high school, I had butterflies in my stomach, but over time they subsided and I got used to a new school. Going in, I knew high school would be an experience different and more difficult than middle school, especially since I signed up for challenging classes.
As clueless as I was about navigating such a large campus, I knew a little more than others. I spent five 12-hour days for the Clarke Central High School Marching Band camp only weeks before, so I had some idea of the layout.
I thought people would be meaner in high school because of what others had told me, but to my surprise, it was not much of a change from middle school. From what I’ve seen, more fights have happened at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School in my middle school career than have happened at CCHS so far.
My 8th grade teachers over-prepared me for my freshman year. Many of my teachers gave me loads of homework on weekends, weekdays and even over school breaks.
I’ve always been very focused on my school work. In middle school, if someone asked me what I had in a certain class, I told them that I had an A. I would be given an annoyed look when I told them that I didn’t like B’s in my classes and that I only wanted A’s.
“Shut up, Maggie,” they’d say. “I’m failing my classes. I want B’s.”
Neither my ambition nor the reaction I get has changed much in high school. Whenever I make an A in one of my classes, other students still try to minimize my work ethic. They’d say that I only make good grades because the teachers like me.
I think I’ve adjusted to CCHS. While I occasionally forget the schedule, it’s gotten a lot better. I’ve learned to not care as much about what people tell me when I tell them about my grades. I have adjusted to high school and hope to continue to succeed in all that I am doing.
