Moving Forward, after High School
As today marks the end of my high school experience and the beginning of my transition to be a college student. Reflecting on the past four years of being a High School student in New York City is tough. Even realizing that this also marks the end of my NYC Public School experience.
Since joining the Queens High School of Teaching back in September 2017, taking two buses from my home in Flushing, NY, to a school with an average of 1,200 students enrolled is surprising to some. But for me, it was a new adventure. For some that did not know, I attend this school just me. I felt like a new kid being transferred into a school mid-year. I had no friends from my middle school attending my high school. But over the four years, I was glad to make new friends.
I came to the Queens High School of Teaching because I wanted to be a teacher in the future, and my expectations about this school were high. But when reality set in, I lost interest in my future aspirations due to a more mediocre school experience than expected. Some people asked me, "why you are still here? You should of Transferred to a better school than this". My answer was simple, "I am familiar here, I have opportunities here, and there is no point of me transferring to another school". The bigger reason for me not transferring was that I did not want to start fresh all over again. There was no point. "It's a risk and It's life," I keep telling people.
Even though my experience in this school was from something that I have never seen in my life. From the lies to the broken promises by the administration and by some teachers. To the lack of clubs and to student government being controlled by adults (and students being tokenized in student government without them knowing). And don't get me started with the petty drama that happens in this school. Even if the school lacked spirit, it did not stop me from going to decide to transfer. But the life I had at this school will be deeply missed (well, sort of). I will miss the teachers/staff that have faith in me and respected me for who I am. I will also miss some of my classmates; even though most of them we both follow each other on social media, it won't be the same. I won't miss the drama and the fake people.
However, as I begin the transition from being a high school senior to a College Freshmen. The plans I have for myself and for the future will commence. And as I now join the millions of graduates worldwide, being part of the second graduating class to graduate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Life still continues, and as from the words of Broadway, "the show must go on".
Moving forward, I can't wait to begin my college experience, remote or in-person; I really don't care. The only thing that cares for me is to start my college life on the right foot. I have so much planned, I can't wait to unravel. Even if the pandemic continues for an extra year (let's hope not), I am ready to begin my next chapter in life.
