When Covid hit, my parents made a big decision– they decided to enroll me into the Schechter school in Newton, Massachusetts. It offered four days a week in person, a rarity at the time. I was going into fifth grade then, and I kept going to the school until the end of middle school, which is when I had to transition to high school, which had always seemed so far away. I honestly didn’t know what to expect, and I thought that the biggest shock would be the sheer amount of people in high school. Looking back now, almost three quarters of the school year completed, I can say that it wasn’t. I got used to the constant throng of students very quickly, and have begun to like it. However, I would say the most challenging part of easing into the new school was my social footing, but that is no surprise. It takes some time to form good relationships and new acquaintances. I think that something that really boosted a feeling of connection and integration was participating in winter sports–swimming. Sports for me were always a great way to bond with others, and I really recommend for all high schoolers to participate in school-based activities, whether it be clubs, sports teams, magazines, theater, or another, no matter your level of skill in that activity. I was a beginner in swimming, and the season was all the more fun that way because it was a new experience. I also noticed that high school isn’t a preplanned checklist that you have to complete: it feels like one thing leads to another, like a friend introducing you to a new club which you never would’ve tried by yourself (Stocks club for me), or discovering a friend from a sports team is also interested in the creative activities you’re into, etc. Now, I felt that the academic switch was like wading into deeper water, in which in the beginning of the year felt just as middle school, and as the year progressed, more complex and demanding assignments were given out. In addition, I am fortunate to have all friendly and supportive teachers, and the kids in the class are mostly too. The transition from Jewish Day school to public high school was pretty smooth overall, and I’m excited to keep going through the next three years.

Image Sources:https://www.kut.org/education/2021-08-25/aisd-virtual-learning-program-begins-with-staff-shortages-large-classes