Congratulations, you’re officially a high schooler! You’ve brought everything you think you need to begin the new school year and to take on the school. Well, not just yet, but soon. You’re feeling nervous and scared because you don’t know what to expect. You’re hoping high school is like what they show in movies, but remember, high school may not always be what you imagined.

High School Expectations

For some people, though, the reality of high school matched their expectations. Senior Erick Figueroa said, “Mine were to study, get well educated, and have fun with school activities. I can happily say that Miami High lived up to it by making it possible.”

Sophomore Enrriet Leiva expected high school to be this huge place with people who show pride in their school, and that’s what she found at Miami High.

“I expected for there to be a lot more grown people, stricter teachers,  and a ton of work and that’s exactly how it is now,” said sophomore Nestor Zuniga.

The Let Down

On the contrary, some students’ reality wasn’t what they had pictured. Junior Jorge Cruz said that the reality is that you have to work really hard to achieve your goals.

“My expectations were those types that you see in movies: getting lost, stereotypes, being bullied by upper classmen, having lockers, and always having fun in your classes–basically High School Musical and Grease,” said junior Karina Castillo. “The reality is that the upperclassmen are not as intimidating as they may seem and the standard bullying from the movies does not happen.”

High School Transition

Middle school is where adolescence begins for girls and boys, but high school is the big transition from teenager to adult. “In high school you get more freedom, but you’ve also gained more responsibilities,” said sophomore Antonia Cervantes. “Some things end up being taken more seriously in high school because your future depends on it.”

Sophomore Shawn Hampton said, “The biggest difference would have to be that people act less immature, but in middle school people would act more like themselves. Now, you can’t tell who are your friends and who are not. You just have to watch your back.”

Sophomore Johanna Lopez said that the teachers don’t seem to babysit you as much because they know it’s not their responsibility to look after you anymore.

What Would You Change?

Everyone has something to make different about the reality of school, even if it’s the tiniest thing. Sophomore Leslie Smith would like to change the time that we get into school. “I don’t want to put up with waking up at 5 in the morning anymore,” he said.

Junior Tavaris Philips would change the dress code because he doesn’t have enough options on what to wear. Sophomore Edward Valladares said, “I would change the homework on vacation, the lunch, and the lazy kids in school who don’t want to learn.”

Others, such as senior Jean Manco, said he’s completely fine with the reality of school because it’s just preparing us for the future, while senior Guillermo LaRosa is fine with how high school is now because you can’t change it.