Back to School Issue: A Guide to A New Year at Robinson

A course on how to navigate a new year at Robinson.

Photo Juno Le

Maya Roush (’23) jots down commentary presented by her classmates from their reading of “King Lear”. About half of her classes have been moved into a portable. “The portables have been surprisingly really nice. They’re super roomy and clean,” Roush said.

Keirra McGoldrick, Opinion Editor

Going back to school can be a very stressful experience even if it’s a school you’ve already been at the school for a few years. Everyone from Freshmen to Seniors can experience the stress and anxieties that accompany a new school year. This year will be uncharted territory for most of us due to: the construction, a new principal, new teachers, new people and more. Some guidance on the subject is typically needed, especially for those just joining the RHS family.

The portables, or “portacity” as some students call it, can be difficult to deal with at times. The unpredictable nature of Floridian weather is quite possibly the worst part of the portables. First tip would be to check the weather every morning before heading to school so that you can determine if you should bring an umbrella with you or not. It might even be a smart idea to keep a small, collapsible umbrella in your bag at all times in case the weather decides to act up.

Getting to class on time can sometimes be a difficult task. Say one of your classes is in the science and math hall, and the class after that is all the way in “portacity”. The total amount of time to get there would be around six to seven minutes with no bathroom breaks and people crowding the only pathway across campus. My only tip would be to get a bit of pep in your step and walk fast. Teachers are typically understanding of the distance and time it takes to get from one class to another, but for the select few that aren’t as lenient, walk fast.

Navigating the halls of our construction-ridden school can be quite challenging, especially for newcomers. The portables are grouped into sections, just as they were when they were normal classrooms. Social studies such as history, psychology and culinary are in the far left section, Math is in the middle and English is on the far right. Student affairs, the main office, guidance and the nurse’s office can all be seen to the left as soon as you walk in the main gate. Honestly, the best way to get to know your way around would be to just ask someone.

New experiences can be scary at times, but it’s easy to get used to a new school. It will be stressful and overwhelming sometimes, the best way to get around that would be to stay calm and try not to worry too much.