Going into Grade 12
Emily Hendriks, 17, is going into Grade 12 at Argyle secondary this September. We asked her some questions about her school experience.
North Shore News: How does it feel to be in your final year of high school?
Emily Hendriks: I am honestly very excited to be in my final year of high school. I think almost everyone going into Grade 12 feels like they have plans and ideas bigger than where they are now. I’m excited to move on to something better, like travelling and university.
NSN: Do you have any worries about being in your final year of high school?
Emily: No, I think if you asked me that a year ago I would have said yes. However, now I feel as though I have a plan for my final year and after I graduate.
NSN: What are your plans for after high school?
Emily: Taking a year off, definitely. I want to work a lot to save for university and hopefully travel a little bit with my older sister. After that I’m hoping to obtain a degree in psychology and then pursue criminal law.
NSN: What do you look forward to most in your final year of high school?
Emily: I look forward to taking the classes that actually interest me in Grade 12. It’s the only year in high school, I think, that you really get to focus on subjects you enjoy. I think Grade 12 will be a great year.
NSN: How do you think it will feel on the last day of high school?
Emily: I think I will be relieved and excited. I have so many plans and ideas to pursue that I want to start working on them as soon as I can.
NSN: What do you think you’ll remember most about high school when you finish?
Emily: Definitely the people I met. I’ve met a lot of great people in high school. I think the successful friendships and the not-so-successful friendships are both very important to remember. The not-so-successful ones were amazing life lessons and I think they’re important to remember most.
NSN: What do you remember about your first year in high school?
Emily: My first year I remember being so scared of what everyone thought of me. Being so scared to do something wrong. My first year of high school I actually went to a school on the Sunshine Coast. Everyone knows everyone there so it was nerve-racking to know whatever you did everyone would know about it. But I remember at the end of the year I was much more confident. Confident enough to move to North Vancouver and attend school here.
NSN: What would you tell students who are just starting high school?
Emily: When I moved to North Vancouver and starting going to Argyle I realized that no one really cares and I don’t mean that in a bad way. Teenagers are psychologically built to be self involved, they don’t care what you’re wearing or how you have your hair. So I would definitely tell them to be themselves. I can almost guarantee that no one cares about what you look like except you. Being yourself is how you find your good, solid group of friends, which is super important.
NSN: What do you wish you had known going into your first year of high school?
Emily: I wish I had known to be more confident, and to focus more on learning good habits when it comes to studying. I coasted through elementary school and grades 8 and 9 never taking time to form good study habits, so that has been something I’ve had to do in my later years.
Going into Grade 8
Thirteen-year-old Nicholas Chorbajian is starting Grade 8 at West Vancouver secondary. We asked him some questions about his school experience.
NSN: How does it feel to be leaving your elementary school?
Nicholas Chorbajian: I’m half and half on how I feel about moving on from elementary school. Part of me is excited to experience high school and part of me is not looking forward to the curriculum.
NSN: How does it feel to be starting high school?
Nicholas: I feel like starting high school will be an interesting experience and a great chance for me to grow socially and find a solid group of friends and expand my education.
NSN: Do you have any concerns about starting high school?
Nicholas: My only concern about starting high school is that I won’t have enough time for extracurricular activities.
NSN: What are you most looking forward to in high school?
Nicholas: I’m really looking forward to playing football and participating in the West Vancouver School District soccer academy.
NSN: How do you think high school will be different than elementary school?
Nicholas: I think high school will be much more different because it is much bigger and there are a lot of new people.
