Essay 3 Revisions

George Hernandez

04/22/14

English 002

Professor Ankney

                                                 

                                                                Entering a new world

Imagine entering a new world that feels unfamiliar to what you've experienced your whole life. A world that feels familiar, yet unknown. This is how it feels to enter high school while coming out of middle school. Entering high school can feel a bit apprehensive especially considering how it’s a new culture you are unfamiliar with since you've been used to being in middle school. When entering high school culture, you should be open to entering any school activities that might appeal to your interests and hobbies while also trying to build relationships with your teachers and classmates.

In high school, I tried to find school activities that fit my interest by searching through the hallway for flyers for an after-school club. A club is a great way to find new friends who can help you better get better used to your new school life. I know this because I joined the gaming club which was filled with nice people who shared my interest in playing video games. Club activities can help build relationships with students who can help you get better used to your new cultural experience. Whether it’s something like the video game club or even something like the book club, you’ll be given the opportunity to surround yourself with other classmates who can relate to your appeals. This way you’ll be able to build new relationships with people who can share your passion of something like gaming or reading which will make coming to school feel more comfortable.

If you don’t know how to start looking for club activities, there’s no need to worry, there are usually information posted on various clubs you can join on the schools bulletin boards or even the schools website. Another way to find an activities to join is to pay attention to the school intercom for updates on new or already existing clubs looking for new participates to join them during lunch or after school. This was actually how I joined the gaming club in my school when I was a freshman. Being a freshman with little to no friends to interact with was frightening, but it wasn't until I heard of a group who took in interest in video gaming through the schools intercom announcements that I decided to join their club. This group of video gamers (who were sophomores) was passionate about what they enjoyed and was kind enough to provide freshman’s any information about the school. This club was filled with the love of gaming I've always enjoyed and coming after school to play and learn the mechanics of multiple games gave me a reason to look forward to coming to school. Once you join a club that fits your interest, you’ll not only feel right at home with people who can relate to your hobbies, but you’ll also be given the chance to look forward to coming to school.

Adjusting to your new lifestyle certainly will be challenging, but you can make your experience easier if you find a companion you shared your middle school years with. This way, you’ll feel comfortable toward exploring your new high school culture. I wasn't given the chance to experience high schools culture with a friend I knew. When I was a freshman, I was unfamiliar to my surroundings because of how the school I entered wasn't the one I originally planned to enter. Unfortunately, the school I wanted to attend had their deadlines done early, so I couldn't enter it and be surrounded by my old friends. This meant that when I entered high school, I went without knowing anyone from my previous school to interact with which made things difficult for me. It wasn't until I joined the video game club that I started to make new friends and feel adjusted towards my new high school culture. The best thing you can do to fit into this new culture would be to find any possible old friends you can interact with to make things feel easier for you. If you have multiple friends you recognize then try to share each other’s class schedules to see what classes you will be sharing together. If I was able to enjoy my year as a freshman with new friends than you should be able to enjoy it with friends you've made in middle school.

Once you've read and understood your class schedules go to class prepared to interact with your teacher. Once your teacher starts to make his or her introductions, try to pay attention to the possible stories they’ll bring up about their life and teaching career. Once they have given you a background on their history, try asking questions or commenting on what they have told you. This will start to build an early relationship that will help make interactions in future classes feel more comfortable. It also helps to come by their classrooms during lunch (if possible) or after school to discuss any concerns you may have with the class. This is also a great way to help you in any troubles you have with any assignments you are given to the class. It’s important to remember that things get more difficult in high school than middle school, but if you’re willing to interact with your teachers about your work than you’ll have a better chance of succeeding in the class.

Entering this new world can be fearsome, but once you start to put in the effort to get used to your new culture then you’ll feel much more at home.  Obviously, things won’t start feeling easier right away, but with time you’ll feel more comfortable with the culture surrounded by your school.   Your experience through your freshman year up to your senior year will feel more comfortable once you open up to the idea of entering an afterschool activity that you could enjoy while also trying to create new bonds with your teachers and classmates.