Walnut's Declassified High School Survival Guide

Post date: Oct 07, 2016 2:40:57 PM

By Emily Glazer '17, Sydney Robinson '22

August 17, 2016 7:15 a.m.: I walk into my very first day of seventh grade at Walnut Hills High School. There are so many people here, the lookalike hallways, the number of people, and the hundreds of lockers are overwhelming. I was so excited to start a new chapter in my life, but suddenly I am terrified. Where do I go? My nerves trap any memory I had of the walkthrough and it’s as if I am here for the first time. I hope I survive my first day.

Walnut Hills may seem scary at first, but navigating and adjusting to Walnut gets easier.

Let’s explore how students overcame the new school vibes at Walnut.

“[I was] late to every single class,” said Azjonce Hancock, ‘22. She accredits her tardiness to the large crowd in the hallways and the five minute bell rotation. SENIOR Laurie Heldman explains that as you get older,making it to class on time gets easier. “[It] definitely is less stressful,” she said.

Heldman, who came to Walnut in her freshman year, once shared mutual feelings with Hancock, but has since found new routes and better shortcuts. Maaz Umani ‘20, offered his advice, to “find the easiest and quickest routes.”

To avoid the crowd and save time, students have the option of walking outside when transferring buildings. D’Aijah Johnson, ‘22 takes advantage of an outdoor path during her commute from the main building to the Arts and Sciences building. Johnson learned about the shortcut after being late and receiving two tardies, when she decided to ask for help from an older student.

Heldman advises students to understand, “[not] be afraid to talk to the older kids. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People want to help you.”

Okay, I made it halfway through the day. Fourth bell, this day can only get better, it is time for lockers. I can put away my big, heavy, textbooks that I have been carrying around all day. And.. I’m out of luck.

With 2,884 students here, there is a shortage of lockers at Walnut. This results in students having to find a partner or go lockerless. As the days go on you’ll meet new people and see who your organization skill are most compatible with.

Ingrid Kindel, ‘21, said, “My partner and I clean [our locker] every week. We also have a shelf.”

Although sharing creates less space, a shelf is a good idea to help create equal space for both partners. As the years of high school progress, lockers become an optimal hang out spot or quick chance to see your friends in between classes.

Heldman explains, “I share a locker with [my friend] Celeste. It’s a cool place to hang out; we keep food in there.”

Vocabulary, conjugations, homework, projects, what have I gotten myself into? How am I going to excel at this?

Ah yes, everyone at Walnut has been victim to the piles of homework we are assigned each night. It can be difficult at first, but there are tips and tricks to help conquer it all.

Hancock finds it hard to manage her work. She said, “I struggle some, but I try. Sometimes I try to do it in study hall.” Keep a schedule. Having an organized schedule of allocated study time can help lower the stress, and will keep you from sleepless nights.

Another thing that could be different for a new student is that at Walnut you’re required to take Latin. Adjusting to Latin also goes back to the aforementioned need for organization skills. If you keep all of your notes, flashcards, lesson quizzes and other handouts in a binder or folder then that can help you study for the exams and for any other tests or homework for Latin you’ll encounter. SENIOR Nina Hayutin’s words of advice are to “put effort into Latin.” The first year of Latin is fundamental for doing well. Hayutin explains, “You can't escape it and [effort] will make eighth, ninth, and maybe even tenth grade a lot easier.”

August already. I remember my very first day at Walnut, now I am all ready for eighth grade. This is going to be a great year.

Eighth grade is exciting. For most, it’s your second year. You aren’t Effies anymore, but high school is still around the corner.

Jonathan Levy, ‘21 explains eighth grade is easier because he is used to the size, the people and going to his locker.

Similarly, Aiden Lenox, ‘21 feels it is easier because he knew what to expect. He adjusted to Walnut now being in eighth grade because he knows the teachers and people. Knowing the people at Walnut makes it easier because you’re going to be here for a while so get connected with the people you are with everyday. Kindel feels that eighth grade is less confusing than seventh grade because she is now acquainted to the school, but when it comes to thinking about entering ninth grade next year, Kindel feels “a little overwhelmed.”

It’s back to the first day again. I’m excited to be starting my first year of high school, but I am nervous for some things. I can’t wait to see what this year has to offer.

Freshman year is the first year of high school. While an exciting year, it can also be juxtaposed with nervousness.

Jerry Beerck, ‘20 is new to Walnut, but has adjusted well. At first getting a set locker routine and cramming items in his backpack was hard, but now, it is second nature. For the veteran freshman, Usmani explains, that it gets easier because, “You understand how the system works, you help the younger people out. You guide them.”

Junior high successfully completed, check. First year of high school, check. Time for tenth grade. I’m ready for these new adventures; nervous for some, but excited for what’s yet to come.

In tenth grade, students have the option to take their first AP classes - United States History and Human Geography are most common, but sophomores can also take Latin, Art History, and Art.

“Adjusting to new classrooms and teachers [gets easier]” but she feels that the younger students should understand that, “Ninth grade wasn’t bad, but in tenth grade you have AP U.S. History, Algebra II, and Chemistry. Be ready to do some work,” explains Maria Deluca, ‘19.

The workload might be heavier this year so,“Make sure you’re getting all your homework done. Don’t copy. Study. Make sure you’re asking questions if you need to, and if you’re really confused go to help night, Thompson advises students.

Don't be afraid to go to help night. If it’s a class you're having a bit more difficulty in, then this will definitely help alongside your studying and completion of homework.

With one year left at Walnut, students are pretty familiar with Walnut come their junior year. Though there are struggles of Walnut such as walking in the halls and getting to class, “it helps that I know where I'm going and that I've been here for a while,” Kendall Young, ‘18 explains. Even as a junior, Young still has fears about Walnut, like when she gets a syllabus and has an overwhelming feeling of what is to come. She “make[s] it through and everything works out, yet it is a struggle. But it is a struggle that will pay off, so just look at this as one level you have to pass to win a video game. Yeah, it's challenging, but it will especially rewarding at the end,” explains Young.

7:15 a.m. I walk into my first day of SENIOR year. I remember coming here in seventh grade, nervous and confused, but now I know what to expect and I'm excited to see what this year's going to bring.

SENIOR year is the time where all your hard work and effort pays off. Academically and socially you realize that Walnut isn't as intimidating as it once seemed. “As you get older you meet more people and then you can actually find a group where you really feel like you belong,” explains Hayutin.

As you go through Walnut, adapting, studying, organizing and finding friends becomes easier. School just started and who knows how this year will turn out. If you ask for help when you need it, be yourself, study and listen to advice from the older students, Walnut will get easier and you will get through.