Freshmen Discuss the Adjustment to Midwood
Freshmen in the art section of SoFresh SING! work on their banner for the show. Photo: Leah Josephon
By BECCA GREENBERG
You walk through the doors of the fifth largest high school in Brooklyn. Just three short months ago you were in the comfort of your middle school. You wander through the halls trying to find the north wing and not knowing what 346A is.
This was the case for just over 1,100 new Midwood students who were admitted into the freshman class. What challenges have they had to adapt to?
“The size of the school was a big change,” said Ziming Li. “There are just so many people around and you have to adapt to being with them.”
Vivian Lee also wasn’t used to the size of the school and said it was a step towards independence for herself. “I used to travel with the same people all the time,” she said. “So being with different people in every class is new.”
Jacob Gecht found that the workload was a different experience. He said, “The teachers are tougher on you and the grading policies are harsher.”
But thankfully, not every freshman found their course load all too hard. Svetlana Yagudayev and Maya Hoeffner both had complaints about waking up early, but the content of their classes has yet to prove difficult, they said.
The freshman class has just finally settled into Midwood and found the things they appreciate within our community.
“I like the new friends that I have made,” said Gecht, as he gestured around his lunch table. “These guys right here.”
Our staff and classes received appreciation from the freshman class, with almost every student mentioning a teacher's kindness and patience towards them. Li said, “I like my teachers and there are a lot of nice classes for me to pick from.”
While the freshmen have been enjoying themselves, they have a few complaints as well.
Lee said, “I don’t like how crowded the hallways get; it feels like I am getting trampled. I’m only 5’1” and I get thrown around sometimes.”
The hallway crush was a running complaint among the freshmen. “It is way too crowded,” said Li. “People get pushy.”
Hoeffner brought up an unfortunate situation most freshmen are subjected to: the 3-10 schedule. “I would be so much happier if I could get out earlier,” she said. “Even just 3 p.m. would be better.”
Gecht shared this sentiment, as his long commute means getting home at 4:30 p.m. “Schedules will change next year,” he said. “Hopefully next time I will be able to get home earlier.”
The freshmen this year are getting more involved than ever. With a record breaking 81 clubs at Midwood, there are even more opportunities for freshmen to do the things they enjoy.
Melody Moran said, “I’ve gotten into the Jewelry and Fashion clubs, and they are both a lot of fun for me.”
“I’m in the basic clubs: SoFresh SING!, Key Club, and Red Cross,” said Lee. She said SING! reminds her of the drama program at her middle school, so it’s “something familiar” to her.
Li is in Key Club, MAGE, and 3-D Modeling. He also hopes to run track in the spring.
Some freshmen wanted to get more involved in athletics, but because fall sports start right when they arrive, the process was a bit overwhelming. “Next year I want to try and do soccer,” said Gecht. “But I haven’t done anything yet this year”
Contrary to a long-held stereotype about high school, almost every freshman interviewed said that upperclassmen had been kind, helpful, and outgoing.
“They have all been really nice,” Yagudayev said. “People have given me directions around school.”
“It’s interesting; they are nicer than I thought,” said Li. “I mean they can be a little mean sometimes, but I do have some upperclassmen friends.”
Lee said, “The first few weeks, when I didn’t know where something like the north or south wing was, everyone I asked was really helpful.”
Judging from these interviews, many of these new hornets have quickly found their place in our school and are already walking the halls with confidence.