Transitioning from middle school to high school can be an adjustment for anyone, but for the Leo Hayes class of 2025, the first semester of grade nine has been a roller coaster. From a strike to the Covid 19 pandemic, the first semester has been unlike any other in the history of Leo Hayes. Grade nine student, Emily Horsman described it perfectly, saying, “It was different than I imagined it, but also [it was} not.”
Online school has created some divide among the entire student body at Leo Hayes and first-year students are no exception. For some online school was “fine… [but] definitely different” and for others, it was disappointing to be back online for their first semester of high school.
Unlike other years, where the challenges of adjusting to high school include an increased workload, finding your classes and just generally keeping up with academics, the biggest challenge for grade nine students seems to be online school. When asked about the most challenging part of the first semester, for Horsman, “the most challenging part of semester one was online.”
One highlight about coming to high school (especially a large school like Leo Hayes) is the opportunity to meet new people. “My favourite part [of semester one] was seeing my friends and meeting new ones!” Horsman said when asked. Although being online may have prevented some from meeting new friends, new classes second semester offers everyone a chance to get to know someone new.
The second semester of grade nine is when, at least in this writer’s opinion, high school really starts. The first semester is about adjusting and learning how to be in this building. By February, most students know their way around and you start to feel like a high schooler. So, for advice for this year and the rest of high school take these words of your classmate to heart, “Just do your homework and try your best… and probably [listen to] music.”