Back at It Again
A new beginning into a sunny future by H_Barth from Getty Images Pro
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By Ava F.
Whether or not you are a new or returning student, the start of a new school year always brings mixed emotions. It might be nerve-racking, exciting, or challenging! Even though I became a student at NorthStar Academy three years ago, each year brings new obstacles and circumstances to adapt to along with things to look forward to. I would say that a student at NorthStar, Ruthie, summed it up well. “School years is [sic] like a great adventure and you have to defeat monsters, giants, etc to reach the destination which is summer time.”
The beginning of a new adventure can be a chaotic mix of feelings. Last year, I was completely refreshed and ready to start, but to be honest, this year I felt overwhelmed. “I was really excited to start the next school year and see what my classes were going to be like,” said a student, Cora. From another perspective, Ruthie stated, “I started June 1st right after I finished my 10th grade Geometry course, so it was more of a "I hate school" type of attitude. I honestly dreaded the new year.”
Personally, my brain was not ready for the jump from a summer to school schedule and all the challenges of a new year. These battles at the beginning of this year’s adventure are fierce. Cora said some of her challenges are having, “ a hard time getting back into the routine of waking up early and not doing anything else until my schoolwork is done.” Another student, Rhianna, said, “It can be difficult to get through my classes, and I often wish that I could be back on break. My brain isn't used to having a job to do every day, and some High School classes can be very difficult.”
However, thank goodness, the struggle is only temporary before we adjust to a new routine and come out as triumphant! Of course, that is until we face the middle of semester slump, but that’s another battle. Ruthie’s advice is, “to not give up, you can do this, school may be hard but in the end it's going to be okay. School is for learning and growing not torture as some may think it is.” Unfortunately, I’m guilty of mistaking torture and schoolwork as the same on occasion. Cora’s advice is, “be excited about it! You've worked so hard to make it to this point, and while it may seem like starting a new school year is really hard, it means you're so smart you're able to learn about these challenging new ideas and concepts, and by the time you're done with this year, you'll be smarter than you were before!” Some of Rhianna’s advice is, “Remember that the first few weeks can be an adjustment. You might feel overwhelmed, but remember that it takes a bit to get comfortable.” She also added, “don't be upset if you don't get amazing grades right away, because sometimes there are concepts you will spend the whole year learning about, and you'll get better.”
Even during our battles and adventures as all the new and returning students begin this year, there are also many things to be excited for. Grace, a new student, said that she is most excited for, “the clubs!!!!!!!!! my [sic] last online school had no form of interacting with peers and even in the first few weeks of being here it feels like home. i [sic] am so excited to meet people and be involved in clubs and live chats!” I hope all new students will feel just as welcomed. NorthStar isn’t always about schoolwork, and we can definitely also be excited for events coming up this year. Student Council President, Caleb, stated, “We’re having an event every month this year, which is going to be super exciting!! October is SEE month, which is super exciting, then November is our second ever College Fair!”
Our years in school will be a time we always look back on as being challenging but also hopefully as being a positive and exciting time in our lives as well. While we do in fact have to keep an eye on the crazy monsters and giants as we begin, that’s part of the adventure, right?
Columns: 🗣️Advice
Ava F. is a senior who has attended NSA for three years and this is her first year on the Navigator. She lives in the Middle East with her parents and younger brother. She loves learning about other cultures and hopes to pursue a career that will allow her to travel or live abroad. In her free time she enjoys horseback riding, boxing, learning Arabic, reading, and painting.