A PHS Senior Looks at Past, Present and Future

A PHS Senior Looks at Past, Present and Future

Now as I look back to the year I first came to PHS in 2008, I have to admit many things have changed: people, things, and the environment itself. One thing is for sure, these days have been the greatest, and although they stay in the past, I’ve learned a lot from them.

Freshmen year. Whoa, that seems like ages ago! As a freshmen I thought, “Yes!! I’m finally in High School! More freedom, more chance and opportunities to do things on my own…and no one bossing me around.” Boy, was I wrong. Once having settled after a few weeks, I learned that in high school if you want to succeed, what it all comes down to is that you have to try. If you stop trying, it will come back to haunt you. I learned that in high school, your friends from the middle school start separating into their own little groups. At lunch time you would see the nerds and geeks on one side, the popular girls on the other side, the athletes and jocks at the other end, the spanish table to the far side, and that gothic and emo people at the rear. They all seem to have their own divisions and sections and don’t seem to make eye contact with anyone else.

Sophomore year is completely different. On the first day of school you know who to look for, like the people from your lunch group from last year. Then you go in and since you are familiarized with the building already, you seem more comfortable. Then you see other freshmen students and you’re saying, “I’m glad that’s not me this year,” although you do feel bad for the kids and occasionally try to help them. Now for the classes, you go in and you’re like, “Damn, do I really have her/him in my class..” or “Yes!! My buddy is here. We’re out!”It’s funny now looking back at it that the class was either your favorite or your worst depending on who is in the class. Fortunately I didn’t run into that problem..All my classes seemed ok and my classmates didn’t bother me whatsoever.

Junior year is when things start to settle down a little more and you realize, “Ok, I just got this year and then the next and then I’m ready to leave this place.” Now junior year, you’re not really into the whole process of settling down and looking into colleges where you want to go. I didn’t even know what I wanted to do or where I was going. I was just focused in my classes and making sure I get them with my friends. Of course at that time, your friends seem to divide even more, so you really are left with three or four best friends. The other students just seem to be acquaintances or people you see everyday because of your class or on your way to class, and you say “hi” just because. I had my AP classes and I’m thinking, “Yeah, I’m smart, and yeah I have college classes with college credits!” You feel like you don’t have many responsibilities–of course, until it’s time to take the SAT or the ACT or you decide on working (although many of us were already working) and occasionally when there are afternoon activities.

Senior year was a complete twist for me. I was so sure that I would know by this coming year what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be in life. This unfortunately wasn’t the case. On the first day back as a senior, it was completely different feeling. The adults looked at you with more respect, the younger classes looked at you as big scary giants, especially the freshman, and you felt as you could run this place and get away with things because you’re the Senior Class. Things started to settle down around the second week of school when teachers start to ask you where have you applied and what are your future plans. I have to admit I was terrified about the idea of college and leaving home for the first time as well as meeting new people. For me, it felt as though I was the only one who didn’t have a future and am the only one who will not have a life after high school. I remember rushing to get applications done and going to my first college visit with my parents. I remember my parents seeming so scared of the regulations the colleges had, like if you didn’t maintain the bathroom clean they would lock it for a week until we would learn to use the bathrooms properly, or how we need a payment plan for eating at the college cafeteria. It was quite an experience, but I have to admit it has taught me a lot about life and what to expect in the future. Right now, I have applied to and have been accepted by Dominican College. I have received a $10,000 academic scholarship to go there and I am ready and set to go.  I know that when I graduate from college I want to be a midwife and work at Westchester Medical Center. I still am a little nervous about this college thing but I at least know where I am headed, and hopefully there will be nothing to stop me.