After the morning bell rang on Sept. 7 at 7 o’clock freshmen were sent into the next chapter of their education: high school.  As they walked, many felt nervous as they transitioned into one of the hardest obstacles they must overcome.  Many said they were anxious, since this new school is drastically bigger than their former ones.

“I was really nervous,” Mryka Mendoza, 9 said.  “There are so many more people here, and the campus is so big.  I remember thinking ‘Where do I go?’”

Indeed, many freshmen were confused about how Downey High School’s bell system worked, resulting in a speech from the office.  In addition, a fair amount of freshmen have said that teachers provide much more challenge.

“The teachers here are less strict, but they don’t give a lot of second chances when it comes to homework,” Jasmine Acosta, 9 said.

The divided lunches also seemed to have students filled with frustration.  The two most constant complaints that ninth grade students had was how double lunches divided them from their friends and that the school had too many enrolled students.

“When I first came into the school, I thought there were way too many people here,” Mendoza said.

The best quality was the various clubs and activities the school holds according to a variety of students. Along with ASB elections, the administrators held a freshmen orientation to help guide confused students on the right path.  The candidates running for freshmen ASB president were Jasmine Acosta, Priscilla Rolon, Amanda Martinez, and Shayla Deguzman.

“Freshmen orientation was good, but I thought it was a little too quiet,” Allan Rojas, 9, said.

Although transitioning for many young high-school students was difficult, some did not find a great amount of challenge in it.

“The transition from middle school to high school was not all that bad, I got used to it fairly quickly,” Eduardo Preciado, 9, said.

The transition may not be easy for everyone, as it rapidly changes from a relaxed, easy setting, to a very rigorous, not-so friendly environment. After nearly a month since the first day, many freshmen seem to have changed their view in contrast to their emotions on their advent of school. Now, most say that they have become accustomed to the environment and Downey High has become a part of them. With a positive outlook for the future, freshmen prepare to go through the next four years of high school successfully.