Memorial Day Weekend has passed, and I have just two days of school left — plus three days of final exams — before my first year of high school is officially over. I’ve spent nearly the whole weekend studying for the subject tests that will start soon. One of the best ways to do well on a test is to get a good night’s sleep the day before!

    Looking back, this year has positively flown by. I remember the very first day of high school, the upperclassmen told us that high school would go by in the blink of an eye. I didn’t believe them then, but now, I’m beginning to realize how right those seniors were. Somehow, these nine months of school have just vanished. I can’t believe it. I never thought my freshman year would go by this quickly.

    I was so nervous going into the ninth grade. I had no idea what to expect. The workload, the community, the rules — I didn’t even know what a “kilt” was until the week before school! (If you’re wondering, it’s the plaid skirt that’s part of the school uniform that we students are required to wear every day.) Everything was new to me. Now I have nothing to be nervous about. I know my way around the school, and I know most of the teachers. I’ve gotten to know many of the students, especially the girls in my grade. I’ve experienced a lot of the activities, joined several of the clubs, and now I even know some of the school’s secrets. My school has truly become like a second home to me.

    I’ve learned so much over the past several months. Of course, academically, I’ve become pretty competent in trigonometry, balancing chemical equations, and analyzing Shakespeare’s plays. I can hold a decent conversation in French, too, and now I know all about Europe in the Middle Ages. But classes aside, I’ve learned even more about myself. I’ve figured out what study tools work best for me, and how to better manage my time. I’ve become more outgoing, and less self-conscious. Between juggling the more demanding workload, socializing with all my new friends, and attending dance class nearly seven days a week, I’ve really grown up a bit. I know now that I can no longer spend all night watching movies or getting lost in painting and leisure reading, but with a neat schedule and a lot of efficiency, I still get to relax on the weekends.

    Completing the first year of high school is a big, exciting step. I know this journey will only go up from here, and it will probably get even busier as I begin to take advanced placement courses and prepare to apply for college. I’ll miss being a freshman next year — being the babies of the school has its benefits. Next year, I’ll be able to meet the incoming freshmen, befriend them, and help them adjust to this new chapter of their lives just as they upperclassmen did for me. I now know that the next three years will be short ones. I’ve had a great first year of high school and the next three are only going to be better!