For the class of 2019, the 2016 school year could have been a  truly daunting one. It was a year of firsts: first day of high school, first high school sporting event, first AP class, and first time your GPA actually meant something.

While dealing with this unknown territory, they were also faced with the tasks of gaining the respect of the sometimes-terrifying upperclassmen.

Fast-forward to May. Freshmen are about to be sophomores, and soon they won’t be the “fresh meat” that they are used to being called. Some members of the class shared their experiences, triumphs, and regrets about being freshman.

“I thought high school would be harder than it is. I was really surprised by my engineering class as well. There were a lot of interesting things that we covered in that class that I wouldn’t have expected going into the year,” said Spencer Arensdorf.

Some students, such as Sydney Rury, enjoyed joining the Eagle’s nest. “Being part of the student section was revolutionary. The family aspect of it made us and upperclassmen closer,” said Rury.

Others wish they would have taken advantage of the many groups Wahlert has to offer.

“For me freshman year was super enjoyable, but the one thing I regret was not getting more involved,” said Maddy Mond.

Some simply enjoyed a fresh start to high school.

“My freshman year was great because it was a new beginning. It was a chance to be with new people in a new place,” said Matthew Becker.

Recurring themes from the freshman experience include surprise, the family aspect of Wahlert, and wishing to be involved at Wahlert. Freshmen often walk into Wahlert not realizing all of the things it has to offer beyond the classroom. From the student section to LEAP Club, there is something that will catch one’s interest. Often the difference between an enjoyable freshman year and an uneventful one is how involved one chooses to be.