Making the Unfamiliar Feel Like Home
By Olivia Spoto

Change is often a lot to deal with. Sometimes we like our routines and the way things used to be, and then something comes along and shakes it all up. But change is something we need in our lives, and no one knows this better than someone starting at a new school.

The first few days of high school felt completely unfamiliar. I had to adjust to a new schedule and find my classes in a school where every hallway seemed to lead somewhere I had never seen before. Even smaller things, like figuring out what each teacher expected, felt like big challenges during those first few weeks.

As the weeks went by, I slowly became more comfortable. Soon, it felt almost like second nature to know where my classes were, what I needed to do and where I needed to go. Each thing that initially seemed so big and challenging gradually became part of my new routine.

The thing about change is that it’s different for everyone. While I adjusted to school fairly quickly, some people might need more time to feel comfortable. Others might miss their old routines and habits. That is something I find myself doing more often now that I’ve settled in.

There are still things I’m figuring out, like balancing schoolwork and friends. But the experience has helped me realize that I don’t always need to have everything planned out. Being comfortable with change doesn’t mean having an immediate answer or plan for everything.

Through adjusting to high school, I’ve learned that change isn’t always something to panic about. Each adjustment we make is one step toward making the unfamiliar feel like home.