January. The halfway point. On September 9, 2017, freshmen stepped into the school that would quickly become their “second home.” Three months before that, freshmen attended Camp Science where they were introduced to their Big Sibs for the first time. Now, they’re halfway through their first year of high school.

At first, some freshmen felt less important than upperclassmen. “I felt as if our voices mattered less since more supposedly ‘experienced’ peers or older kids suppressed our thoughts,” Jasmine Lee ’21 said.

Other freshmen felt the serious atmosphere of Bronx Science, but loved being here.

“I made friends by talking to anyone, getting out of my comfort zone, and joining clubs where I can bond with people with interests ranging from baking to learning medical terms,” said Simrah Billah ’21.

Every freshman has been going through the transition process from middle to high school, but some of them have found the transition easier than other freshmen.  “I am confronting high school like any other school, doing my work, and hoping for the best,” Yang said. 

For other freshmen, high school has felt like a fresh start to the next stage of their academic lives. After exposing themselves to this new atmosphere, freshmen such as Tahmidul Ambia ’21 took time to adapt to their new high school academic lives.

“I reconsidered how much effort I put into academics, as first term was a wake up call for me,” said Ambia. Ambia, like other freshmen, had to switch from the pace they worked at in middle school to a more demanding pace at Bronx Science. In order to better adjust, they learned to utilize their time more efficiently and adopted smarter study habits.

In particular, freshmen were positive about the impact that the Big Sibs program has had upon their lives. Although not everyone attended the Battle of the Homerooms event in October, those who did enjoyed meeting new people on a level outside of academics and appreciated the company of their Big Sibs.

“It was nice to hear their experiences and to gain insight into club life,” said Justin Veerasami ’21.

It is crucial for freshmen to taste what Bronx Science has to offer, as they can build the foundation for their interests early on, find their niches, and meet great company in the process. “I made friends by talking to anyone, getting out of my comfort zone, and joining clubs where I can bond with people with interests ranging from baking to learning medical terms,” said Simrah Billah ’21.

Alongside Big Sibs, guidance counselors have helped the freshmen settle into high school. “My guidance counselor has helped me by being there when help was needed. She has also been informative and tried to make the transition as comfortable as it could be,” said Rejwan Himel ’21.

All in all, freshmen of different academic backgrounds have experienced varying levels of adjustment into Bronx Science. As the year progresses, time will tell how the Class of 2021 will make the most of their time at Bronx Science, fully engrossing themselves in their interests and effectively balancing a social life in the midst of their academic lives.