Submitted By: Jessica Lee
Middle school and high school are different in many aspects, as I have discovered, being one semester in with my first year of high school. As an 8th grader, I had much to look forward to along with the excitement of going to high school. Now that I have some experience, I can compare these two different time periods of my life.
One of the biggest and most apparent difference is the work load. The transitions of 6th through 8th grade wasn’t nearly as difficult as the transition to high school. In high school, most of studying is done at home on your own time, as teachers expect you to be able to figure things out for yourself. Homework takes much longer now, and classes are harder and more fast-paced. Although transitions are difficult, one must give time to adapt to their new surroundings. Now, I am finding myself more comfortable in the high school environment than during the first semester.
Another difference are the courses. In middle school, there were electives, but a limited amount. There are many more courses to choose from in high school, and one should take into consideration the ones they truly have an interest for. The wide selection of courses help every student find their own interest and most suitable class. As course selection is coming up, students start thinking about their future and which classes appeal to them most.
Even though transitions can be difficult, there are always resources and different things that can help. One thing I find helpful during transitions is time management. It’s important to balance school and personal interests during high school. Managing time is crucial to success. Another thing is to have people you trust around you who you can share your thoughts and experiences with. Whether friends, parents, or even teachers, it is important during this time to find people you are comfortable around to help you when you need them the most.
All in all, high school and middle school are very different, but I am excited to see what this new chapter of my life holds in the future.
