With the first semester of the 14-15 school year in the books, students reflect on their starting half of the year.

“Something I’m really taking from this semester is to stop procrastinating,” freshman Sara Rohleder said. “I’ve also learned how to get by with little sleep. To get through school you really need to be friends with a group of people who will carry you to success. Although, the first few weeks were just as bad as I imagined they were going to be.”

Freshman Trinity Callis didn’t find the semester to be too tough on her.

“I think I learned how to keep my temper and get through the halls as swiftly as possible,” Callis said. “I gained the skill of individual study. As well, the beginning of high school was really easy for me. Finals are pretty hard, though. In middle school, we watched movies at the end of the semester.”

Sophomore Caitlyn Scheck agreed with Callis and Rohleder’s points.

“I really need to keep organized,” Scheck said. “I definitely procrastinate too much.”

Freshmen Kyra Polifka-Willhelm and Erin Muirhead talked about organization and procrastination, as well.

“I realized I had to be myself and be considerate of the upperclassmen,” Muirhead said. “I was so scared for high school. The teachers aren’t as lenient as the years past. I do have a lot more freedom this year. It’s just a matter of staying on top of things.”

Polifka-Willhelm said high school is just how she expected it to be.

“I kind of figured it’d be a little bit more challenging,” Polifka-Willhelm said. “You really should listen to you teachers, though. Do not procrastinate. I know I will next semester, but I shouldn’t.”

Sophomore Grant Coffman and freshman Emily Ricke agreed that you should work hard in school.

“Do your homework and get good grades,” Ricke said. “Everything is harder than eighth grade. But, it’s been a lot better than I thought it would be. My teachers have all been nice, and there hasn’t been too much homework. I think next semester will be a breeze.”

17mcrees@usd489.com