Freshman Analisse Marmolejo (Left) and freshman Jeremy Crow (Right) are sharing their first year at SLOHS experience and are happy to be concluding their freshman year. Photo Courtesy of sophomore Milla Watts.
With the 2025-2026 school year ending at San Luis Obispo High School, freshman students are now wrapping up their first year at SLOHS. Freshman year is the introductory to high school and adulting life for everyone.
Expressions reached out to two freshmen and asked them about their experiences of their first year at high school.
Expressions: How has your high school experience differed from middle school?
Freshman Jeremy Crow: There’s a lot less of a class divide between grades in high school as well as a lot more freedom.
Freshman Analisse Marmolejo: A lot of the people in high school are welcoming and nice, I also fit into social groups a lot easier.
Expressions: What is one pro and con of high school?
Crow: One pro is that I get to take a lot of fun classes, but one con is that there are a lot of academic stakes now.
Marmolejo: One pro is there are a lot of nice people here but one con is that there are also a lot of bullies in high school.
Expressions: What hopes do you have for your next three years in high school?
Crow: I hope to survive high school, I’m planning on taking calculus later so I hope that won’t go too badly.
Marmolejo: The counselors are great and give me hope that they’ll help me get ready for college in the next few years.
Expressions: Do you have any college plans yet and what about it?
Crow: I currently have no college plans, going to keep it open but hope to figure it out by senior year.
Marmolejo: I’m currently planning on going to Cuesta College for music and eventually transferring to Cal Poly.
Expressions: What is one thing you wish you knew coming into freshman year?
Crow: I wish I knew that doing homework in high school is a lot more important and that I need to remember to do my homework for classes.
Marmolejo: I wish I knew to not be so nervous about going to high school, because I’ve found a great community here within both my teachers and the people around me.
Freshman year can be a tough transition, but not everything is destined for doom when it comes the first year of high school. It’s the year that really helps students prepare for the next few years of their lives leading into adulthood. As the next few years go by students will always reflect on their freshman year experience. To those whose freshman year wasn’t as good as they hoped, just remember that good things will come as high school progresses.
