Students spend four years at Kearsley, studying hard, talking with their friends, trying to pass each class, and eventually graduating, and students always have worries about, “What’s next?”

Whether it is just coming into high school, the years sandwiched between ninth grade and 12th, or after graduation, students have different expectations and words of advice.

Freshmen will just be getting into the run of things. They will still be looking for their classes, attempting to get to class on time, and stressing out about every grade they receive.

Mary Wheeler, freshman, thinks her first year ran smoother than expected.

“I grew up going to a small Catholic school, where my eighth-grade class had eight students, including me,” Wheeler said. “Coming to a larger school like Kearsley was a big change for me. I thought the older students were going to pick on me, but now, some of my greatest friends are upperclassmen.”

Sophomore year can be a relaxed year for students. There are less worries than freshman year, and the only required tasks for an average sophomore is to pass the classes they take, and take the PSAT.

Sophomore Jewel Brown has been surprised at the difference between high school and her expectations.

“High school has been anything but what I expected,” Brown said. “I have had ups and downs in the few years I have been here, and I expect more. But I am excited to learn more and for the world after high school.”

Students entering their junior year have many opportunities to look forward to. They are required to take the SAT, begin to decide on a career, and think about colleges they would like to apply to.

Junior Cody Young can still get worried about the responsibilities of being an upperclassman.

“The teachers are very supportive, and I have made lots of friends,” Young said. “The thought of being a senior can be nerve-racking. Sometimes I feel as if I am not ready for life after high school. But I am very excited for the classes I am taking my senior year, and I am ready for the challenge.”

Senior year, as the last year of high school education, has the bitter-sweet feeling of the last homecoming, the senior project, prom, and graduation.

Recent Kearsley graduate Elisa Tucker, Class of 2016, enjoyed her senior year.

“It was an easy year academically. Emotionally, it was difficult,” Tucker said. “I was excited for all the activities that I could finally participate in, but I found myself often worrying about what would happen after this chapter in my life. I knew that I was going to college, but I also knew that after I left, I would miss this school.”

Many students see high school as an emotional time. But with the right mindset and the good support students can have, students see that high school can be fun.

When asked if they had advice for incoming students, each person answered with the best advice they could give.

Wheeler offered a general and important piece of advice for all students: “Turn in all of your homework. I have found that it can make all the difference in your grade.”

Brown offered a point for freshmen to consider as they enter the high school.

“Take it seriously. I know it is cliché, but it cannot be said enough,” Brown said. “Freshman year is so important, and messing it up could hurt you in the long run.”

Young offered advice about strategic scheduling. He said, “Get your required classes out off the way as soon as possible. You will want the extra hours later on to take the classes you want.”

Finally, Turner offered multiple points of advice.

“Make as many friends as you can, do your schoolwork, do your best to not miss school because you will regret it later, and have fun,” she said.