Movie depictions of freshman year include getting crushed by evil teachers and suffering by upperclassmen. In late August, the large group of freshman walked into Paint Branch knew none of that would happen, but they did wonder what the year would bring.

Walking into Paint Branch and the whole of freshman year was an interesting experience. Though most expected the upperclassmen to be a little cruel to the newbies most were open minded and helpful to the new crop of kids. The teachers were kind as well, never letting the homework pile too high but still teaching with a sense of strictness that new students needed.

Sports teams and clubs welcomed freshman with open arms. A few freshman girls and boys made it onto to Varsity teams. Freshmen expected High school to be much harder that their other educational years, they expected mountains of assignments. Though the work load was a bit more than some students could get a handle on it was not unreasonable or overwhelming. When this realistic expectation of work met the fact that freshmen were not excluded of pushed out of things. Most students’ expectations were proven wrongs as many upperclassmen befriended freshman quite quickly.

Now that the first year of high school is coming to an end many freshman look back at their expectations and laugh at their own foolishness. Some swear they’ll do better next year, some don’t need to as they got the hang of high school in no time and excelled this year with clubs, sports, and academics.

The old myth that freshmen were beaten down and that the first year of high school would be more like a prison than a school was proven wrong. Freshmen were treated well and not like lesser beings by most, of course bullies and people who desire to wreak havoc exist, but that really unavoidable. Freshmen found High school to be exciting and new, and, believe it or not, peaceful.