It's that time of the year again! It's that special moment where the next six months of the year will be spent indoors behind a desk with full concentration... somewhat! We dread it, for numerous reasons far beyond the fact the fact that it's school. By this point, for some, it is a time to continue their studies and walk that runway to a career, for younger ones it's a milestone in their life as they're getting past the simple stuff and getting ready for the next level of education. Ah, but there are those that are starting to scratch the surface of adolescence and step into a whole new type of jungle: High School.
What a jungle it is indeed, more so what young travelers they are; for they are the freshest of the meat, they haven't a clue what they're up against- we call them Freshmeat. Their smell comes miles before the school year even begins; they are truly the young and hunted of high school classes that will throw them deep into a sea of never ending homework. If they come out alive, they'll move up the rankings like their successors before them: the Soph-meaters and Junior Mealers. While the Soph-meaters are there to give the Freshmeat a helping hand, by this time it's Junior Mealers that are waiting to be unleashed. With one year left in the jungle they do everything to make it known:
"We are here, and we want senior year, now!". Out of them al, they are the most restless; it's one year before their prime and their envy grows as they watch them go before all to see.
The seniors. The Olympian
gods (Or goddesses) of the whole jungle, they tower high above it all to see their reign in such a kingdom come to an end. It's something they've been waiting for since the dawn of their own freshman year, when they watched their successors go before them and even those seniors before them.
'How glorious, this shall no longer be our dwelling, it was a reign well spent among those who adorned us,' they think as they rock out the rest of their easy classes and rarely attend class to avoid the emotional toll of it all. Teachers hugging and missing kids, it's all far too much to bear! One final moment to send through the history books of the school with a Senior Prank, then on to their right of passage that they look forward to most of all; when loved ones and students alike are gathered as one to watch as they cross a stage in a ceremonious fashion known as graduation. After that, they are gone but never are they forgotten- they live on through the next in line as they are talked about like legends of a thousand years; a tradition passed on through the ages. And only those in high school will experience such a jungle like never before; their stories are told throughout the books, music, media and even the sleepovers of time. Never will anyone forget how school takes a toll on those who have survived the challenges it brings.
There are some joys that come from starting school, "it's a time to start fresh, learn new things, meet new people; a time for buying new comfortable clothes, and even becoming acquainted with teachers that teach you things by the time the year is out," says Rachel M. Senior, of Huron, Ohio.
There you have it, a written example of what is to be appreciated about the life that education can give. I for one favor the time of the season for its crisp and cool weather. What a glorious time for wearing bundled clothing and kicking fallen leaves about as you walk. The change of the season is a great example to show just how much you've grown since the school year before.
As I have mentioned before you may be stepping up the ranks and graduating in the coming spring, you may be an incoming freshman, it's all a matter of perspective. Perhaps by the time you have finished the four year block of high school you will learn a little more about yourself than you have in your entire life.
I take this coming school year, to truly examine how I live my life now; I am a senior to be and I know it'll be the best of all my years as a high school kid. I know I'm going to miss everything there is to high school, but once I leave I'll only be carrying the memories of all I've been through and how much stronger it made me.
I hope that everyone can relate to this by being determined to push past all the wavering emotions that high school and make something of themselves. It's important to always stand your ground and be true to yourself no matter what it takes to get to the goal: Graduation.