Page 81 - CBA 2000 YEARBOOK

he transition into high school is generally easier than the transition into seventh grade. By this point, two years have passed since the class was established, and the students are continuing a journey with friends, people who are familiar to them. The unfortunate exceptions are those students newly joining CBA freshman year. These students have to go through an exam much like the one the seventh graders have to take, and coming into a situation where the students generally know each other can be intimidating. The discomfort soon diminishes, however, and acceptance takes over.
Freshman year is when the novels begin to exceed 150 pages, the exams flow over onto a third page, and homework actually takes more than an hour... at home! For some reason unfathomable to ninth graders, teachers persistently recite, “This is to prepare you for the future. You will thank me later on.” Sophomore year is more-or-less repeating freshman year, only you receive more work and are granted less play. Juniors are subjected to a torturous number of standardized tests, all of which may hold the key to unlock the student’s futures.
By the end of junior year, students are anxious and willing to move ahead and become seniors. The student body should not be too anxious, however, or they will miss all the pleasantries of being an underclassman. For all the hard work and concentration that must be put into success, there are enjoyable weekends and high school dances to compensate.
J. Walpole
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