Fun pep rallies, homecoming, prom, sports events and social experiences are what can make school exciting and are the best way to make friends. The leap from 8th grade to a freshman in high school is one of the most challenging and eye-opening changes that put students’ learning expectations into place, but Covid-19 has changed that this year. 

With not having a normal first high school experience, many freshmen are feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for future years in school. Much of this stress is caused by classes not giving as much of their usual workload due to Covid, leaving students to think that workload will be lighter and easier in future years. Freshman Kate Holloway, who goes to school in person, says, “I honestly think that high school would be entirely different if Covid wasn’t a thing. Whether I think it’s harder or not now is a big question. Covid put a lot of people in tough mental states but some teachers are trying to make it easier for kids.” A good example is AP classes, where limited amounts of quizzes and material have been offered to try and help students succeed through these challenges with the virus when in reality, it is much more complicated than that. 

Some freshman students haven’t even stepped foot into the building yet. Doing school virtually at home takes away from the actual school experience. Students can get distracted easier, miss classes, fall asleep, and just can’t retain information as usual. Freshman Jessie Schwitters has been online since day one, she says, “I’ve been online since quarantine originally started and I can say at the beginning it didn’t really feel real at all it just felt like a fog that I thought would be over in a couple of months. However, we all know this virus has been going on for a lot longer than usual.” She then continued to state that the beginning of these changes was the most difficult part.  “When school started back I didn’t know how to use any of the platforms so learning it and the technical issues made me behind and it is very hard to catch up especially with work piling up. I had to learn how to not only try and maintain my mental health without not being able to see people or learn the proper way. Thankfully over time, it’s gotten better but I can’t wait for everything to go back to normal.” 

Along with academic struggles, social events have been canceled due to Covid, such as homecoming and pep rallies. In addition, football games saw lower attendance and was the first time ever that Roswell had students pay for limited amounts of tickets to social distance. Without football games, pep rallies and homecoming, freshmen feel stuck in the same experiences as last year and are hoping to attend some in the future. 

Roswell’s sports teams even went through changes this year. Teams still played great seasons as usual but most players say Covid hadn’t really affected much other than new protocols. Freshman Chris Holland who plays for the varsity football team says, “I believe there were not that many changes due to Covid this season. We had to do temperature checks and wear masks but the atmosphere was still the same. We played normally even with the risk that Covid could shut down the program.” 

As for going to these sporting events, students and fans feel the experience of cheering on the Hornets was much different. Freshman Reese McCoin says, “Going to Roswell volleyball games was difficult. There were limited tickets available so you couldn’t have as many friends come. The seating was socially distanced and couldn’t have sit next to your friends. Masks were also required so that made it difficult to cheer for our team.” Many requirements due to Covid dulled the experience of going to a game with friends but you can still go to cheer for the Hornets safely.  

Although this year is a huge roller coaster with many uncertainties, students at Roswell are hoping that next year things can be normal again. Hopefully in future years freshmen won’t feel so lost and behind as they start their high school adventure.