New school year offers fresh start

To be completely honest, part of me didn’t really believe that I’d get to this point.

I’m starting junior year, and while it feels like just the beginning of any other year, it also feels significantly different.

My high school experience is halfway over.

I’m officially an upperclassman.

Unfortunately, there are things about these last two years of high school that I’m not especially looking forward to. For one thing, I’ve been told that junior year is the most challenging, academically-wise.

I’m also not super excited about the hunt for colleges. Even just this summer, I’ve been getting brochures and emails from schools not even on this side of the country.

Thinking about college is just something I’m not remotely prepared for.

But, on the other hand, there are so many things that I can’t wait for this year.

As a junior, I’ll be able to park in the parking lot that’s closer to the school, saving me a five-minute walk each way before and after school.

I’m excited for the new wrestling season and helping with the fall musical. I have more elective classes this year than in previous years. And, as with every year, I’m ready for a fresh start.

The one thing about high school that simultaneously pains and thrills me is that every year is vastly different from the one before. Even semesters can be worlds apart. When you come back after summer break, there’s no telling what will be the same and what will be completely different.

Schedules change, the people that you see in class change, even the stuff you bring to school changes. Things don’t stay the same for long, which keeps things interesting.

It also gives you some opportunity to reinvent yourself. A new school year means a new chance to be more organized, more dedicated, more confident.

There’s no reason those things can’t change in the middle of a semester or year, but it’s easier, somehow, at the start of something new.

I’ve been pretty nervous for the start of junior year, because I have no idea how it will be. I don’t know if it will be difficult or exciting or stressful or amazing.

There’s no way to know what this fresh start will lead to or what changes it will bring.

But no matter what, I have a feeling it will be interesting.

Hannah Sloan is an 11th grader near Peoria, Ill. Her father, Doug, grew up in Jefferson where her grandparents, Lee and Sheri Sloan, still reside. She has always loved writing and has written a column in her hometown newspaper since seventh grade.

Reprinted from Hagel Publications Inc./Courier Newspapers

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