From Nervous to Confident: How Students Feel Now

by : Londyn Meza May 13th, 2026

On the first day of school the hallways were full of nerves. Backpacks were new, schedules were confusing and many students were meeting their teachers and classmates for the very first time. To learn more about how students were feeling I went out and asked people to rate their nervousness on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 meaning “not nervous” and 5 meaning “very nervous.” Most students reported feeling like a 2 or 3 on that first day. They were not completely terrified but they were definitely unsure. 

Many students said they were worried about finding their classes, opening their lockers or getting to class on time. Others were nervous about making friends or wondering who they would sit with at lunch. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and anxiety. As one student told me, “I felt like a 3 because I didn’t know anyone in my classes and I was scared I would get lost.” Even students who looked calm on the outside often admitted that their stomachs were full of butterflies. Last month I followed up and asked some of the same students to rate their nervousness again. This time most people said they felt like a 0. 

That means their nervousness had basically disappeared. Students told me they now know their schedules, their teachers and the layout of the school. They have made new friends and feel more comfortable speaking up in class. One student said, “Now I’m at a 0. I know where everything is and I feel like I belong here.” What once felt unfamiliar has now become part of their normal everyday routine. Comparing the first day of school to now shows how quickly feelings can change. At the beginning many students were unsure and nervous, rating themselves a 2 or 3. Over time as they learned more, built friendships and got used to their classes their feelings dropped all the way down to 0. This change suggests that experience and routine can really help reduce anxiety. It also shows that even if the first day feels scary it usually gets easier and more comfortable as the weeks go by.