I did not want to go to a new school. I was not ready. Not at all. It was the middle of the year, and we were in the middle of a project at the old school, and I had just started Art class. I didn't understand why we had to move. Why now? Why when I finally make friends when I have been in this school since I was in sixth grade and in this school district since the middle of second grade? I never understood why I had  to move in the middle of the year, but it happened. This was the only year of middle school that I was not going to be in school with any of my siblings. I was scared.

We pulled up right in front of the school. I hadn’t been to school in weeks. My dad said it was just a “meeting day,” but I didn’t take it that way. To me it was my first impression of the people in the school. It would be that to anyone going to a new school. I went in through the main entrance and saw that there were two doors. I noticed that the school was a circle (I thought) and that it was bigger than my old school. 

When we went to the front desk we asked who we were going to the “meeting” with. The woman in the front desk said the name of the counselor and then said that she was coming. My dad and I waited until the counselor came. While we were waiting I was getting very scared. I think I was getting scared because I noticed that the school was way bigger than my old one. When the counselor came she said, “Come with me into my office; we are going to talk about a few things.”

We walked all the way to her office; she said that it was on the other side of the school.  In the time that we were walking to her office I was seeing how big the school actually was...it was way bigger than my old school by far. Also, while we were walking she said that there were four houses, and in my old school there were three. She said we were near her office when we were near the cafeteria. I asked if there was an auditorium, and she said no. I was pretty disappointed, but we went on.  

When we finally got to her office if felt like it had been an hour. We walked in, and I sat down next to my dad. I don't know why she was asking me all of the same questions that my mom answered on a piece of paper and gave to the school, but she did. She asked if I did an instrument and what language I took and things like that. Then I asked how many periods were in a day. She said that it was a block schedule. I didn't know what that was, so she showed me an example of what an eighth grade one looked like.

After about 20 minutes of talking about other things about the school, the counselor asked, “What day would you like to start?” That was a big question for me because I was scared. But she said, “The sooner the better.”

 I was feeling brave, so I said, “Thursday.” Then I started to feel scared, like I had just made the biggest mistake ever.

I went to school the day that I decided. When I got there I said goodbye to my dad and went with the counselor. We walked around the confusing school to her room. At this point I felt very overwhelmed because the school seemed so big and confusing. She called two girls that seemed like best friends, and they took my lock and my other stuff and went to my homeroom teacher. She asked me lots of questions like, “What school were you in?” and things like that. The two girls  showed me how to get to classes and how to get around the school.

It wasn't a mistake that I decided to go so early. It was a good choice. I learned how to get around the school and met other people. Lastly I figured out how the schedule and school works. I figured everything out but not without help. When you go to a new school or try something just ask for help. Don't forget to talk; don't be antisocial. There is always someone there for you.

-Tasiah Corp