Even in a small school, new students transfer in, and the students that have been here sometimes don't realize that the transition is difficult. Talking to the new students made me realize that it is hard to switch schools, but we students that have been here don’t see that they need help. It is like the saying “don't judge a book by its cover” because we don't know what it is like to be a new student.
“Coming from a big school to a small school is a hard adjustment,” said Hannah Abrams. Hannah is 17 and lived in Dubuque while trying three different schools in Iowa. “ I'm getting used to it but I didn't really like it at first because I didn't fit in.” Fitting in can be a big deal for a small school because the styles, language, and race are the same. Transitioning for Hannah was hard because she didn't want to come here, but didn't have an option. Her parents took her out of the Dubuque schools because they felt she was hanging out around the wrong crowd. “My parents knew I could be a better student than I was.” Hannah enjoys that the teachers help her when she puts in extra time to ask for help, unlike her other school. “The one person that inspires me here at Potosi High school is Mrs. Meier because she motivates me to get my work done and to do better,” said Hannah. One thing she dislikes here is how late we get out of school. “ I am used to getting out of school at 2:50,” said Hannah.
Sylvia Burger is a freshman and has attended Potosi Schools a couple times. Sylvia attended Potosi in the past and then left to attend Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont school. “I left that school due to a threat, and I did not feel safe anymore, so my parents wanted to solve the problem, since the school wasn't.” Sylvia mentioned a couple times about how hard the transition was from school to school. “I really enjoy the teachers and the help they provide. I like how everyone is very laid back, but we still get stuff done and are still able to learn.” Sylvia is inspired by Mr. Downs because he is always so kind. She also said, “He never shows his bad days or raises his voice.” Sylvia said, “The transition was very hard and stressful. I had to say goodbye to my two siblings and father who live four hours away. We didn’t decide I was leaving Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont until a week before I started at Potosi, so it was a very quick transition.”
Blake Hanfeld is from Potosi but transferred from St. Andrew Thomas school to Potosi High School. He didn’t have much of a choice since St. Andrew Thomas only runs up to eighth grade. “The schools are about the same; the only thing is that the classes are a lot smaller [there],” said Blake. “ The transition was good besides not knowing how to open up my locker.” He added, “Getting used to the setup and how they do things at Potosi High School took about a week to get used to.” He really enjoys the teachers and shop class at Potosi. Blake said, “I never really look forward to coming to school, but that has nothing to do with the school, it’s just school in general.”
Students change schools for multiple reasons; some students have a choice if they want to change schools and some don’t. Being a new student is never a great feeling; trying to fit in or change what you had at the other school is hard. Adjusting to a new school, new classes, and new teachers is not ever easy.
