We’ve all been there – freshman year of high school. So to get our new students’ perspectives on Pascack Valley High School, we’ve asked some freshmen students to voice their opinions on various aspects of high school.
Whether students come from Holdrum, George G. White, or another middle school, coming to high school is a change. During our interviews, we concentrated on those changes.
When asked about what they think are the biggest differences between middle and high school, many students showed enthusiasm about having more freedom since the rules and teachers are less strict.
“l would definitely say freedom [is a large difference],” PV Freshman Jason Gangi from Holdrum said. “I feel like there’s definitely a lot more leeway with what you’re allowed and not allowed to do.”
Besides freedom, freshmen mentioned the responsibility they felt walking into Pascack Valley.
“Definitely more expectations and responsibility and more homework [in high school,],” Valley freshman Riya Ravindran, a student from Holdrum Middle School, shared.
Aside from the responsibility, Ravindran added that there is more nightly homework in high school than in middle school.
One of the many parts of being a Pascack Valley student is getting involved in the electives, clubs, sports, and events. Some people enjoy being part of the atmosphere at a football game, watching a Pascack theatre production, or being able to spend time practicing their favorite sports.
Looking to the future, we asked freshmen what they were most excited about in their coming months and years at PV.
“I’m looking forward to being more involved in clubs [and possibly] being a president or vice president,” Ravindran said. “I’m also interested in being part of fundraisers.”
Bella Kesselman, a freshman who attended Holdrum Middle School, also talked about her excitement for future years of sports and involvement in the Pascack Valley community.
“I’m very excited to continue sports and clubs,” Kesselman said. “…right now I’m doing [PV] cheer, and now I’m trying out for competitive cheer. I’m also in the P.A.W. club.”
Lila Mizrahi, a freshman from George G. White Middle School shared something similar.
“I’m looking forward to being a PV pal and having more freedom,” Mizrahi said. “[I’m also] looking forward…[to] track at Valley”
The most common response to what the freshman least looked forward to was the many tests they’d face during their time at Pascack Valley. After only 5 weeks in high school, many freshmen already stress over the laborious work to come.
Tyler Kim, a freshman and Holdrum graduate, said that SATs and tests are what he is least looking forward to in high school.
Although freshmen say they’re scared for what’s to come, they are having a great time at Pascack Valley.
The first few months of freshman year can be filled with lots of nervous energy in the atmosphere and constant fear in the back of your mind that you won’t find your way. Knowing that, we asked the freshman to give us feedback on the upperclassmen.
“The other students are really welcoming and nice,” Ravindran said. “They’re definitely helping me navigate through high school. It’s a very different experience [than middle school] so yeah they’ve been really helpful.”
Ganji also has experienced positive interactions with the upperclassmen.
“I mean they’re all very kind,” Ganji said. “None of them have been particularly rude.”
PV students also do a good job of creating a welcoming environment.
“They’re all very nice and they try their best to make us feel good,” said Kesselman.
Mizrahi said that the upperclassmen seem nice and like they’re having a good time in school.
Coming to a new big, environment freshman year can be a hard adjustment, but it appears that the Pascack Valley upperclassmen have made a friendly and supportive community for their new peers.
As PV history teacher Jeff Jasper once said, “one of the greatest things about freshmen is that they are going to be sophomores.”
