Every year, a new wave of freshmen arrive at Broad Run High School, each with their own unique perspectives and expectations. This year is no different. I’ve met multiple freshmen at Broad Run, all with a wide range of different opinions and expectations, which were predominantly positive, but I want to delve deeper into what students really think about Broad Run.
There are many freshmen that express positive views on Broad Run, such as Keya Nadkarni. She shares this about her opinion on Broad Run so far, “My general opinion on Broad Run is positive because it is a great school for learning and engaging in different activities with other people.” Keya’s statement highlights one of the significant aspects of Broad Run: Its wide range of extracurricular activities. These extracurriculars provide opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and forge social connections. This can set students up for success right when they start their high school career.
Though many students have the same beliefs as Keya, not everyone agrees. Zoya Ahmed states, “My general opinion on Broad Run is negative. I just don’t like it here. What makes me feel this way is the teachers, people, and work. Though I kind of expected Broad Run to be this way before coming.” This difference in opinion highlights the fact that student experiences are subjective and are influenced by individual experiences. Just because one person believes a school is amazing, doesn’t always mean everyone will agree. Opinions are influenced by mindset, which, as stated earlier, everyone has their own unique perspectives and expectations, which can affect their school of thought.
The transition from middle school to high school can be a varied experience for the freshmen at Broad Run. While some students seamlessly integrate into the new environment by forging new relationships and embracing the opportunities at Broad Run, other students may have a tough time during the transition. Many freshmen state that the academic rigor at Broad Run is challenging, and that they feel a lot of pressure to participate in an extracurricular. These challenges can create a sense of stress that detracts from the overall Broad Run experience.
Overall, the freshman experience is far from monotheistic. While some students seamlessly integrate into the school community and flourish academically and socially, others may face additional hurdles. Nonetheless, the freshman experience will evolve as time goes by, and opinions may change.
