By Merin S., 8th grade, Puma Prints Reporter 

In a few months, eighth graders will be high schoolers. Seniors express the differences that they have encountered from Middle School to Upper School.

Senior Josie B. has been at UPrep since sixth grade.

She states that high school definitely feels more self-directed than Middle School. Therefore, you manage more things during high school. There is also a significant amount of more freedom.

“You are on your own for things, but then also it’s challenging sometimes,” Josie said.

Josie gives advice to Middle School students.

“Try and participate in as many activities as you can, and enjoy the early years of high school because it only gets harder,” Josie said. “I think just being a part of the community is really great because then you have more memories.”

Josie shadowed a UW doctor, who gave her advice.

“It’s okay to not know something, but then we just take steps to figure it out,” Josie said. “But sometimes, you just don’t know the answers.”

Senior Emmett A. has also been attending UPrep since the sixth grade. Emmett talks about who he is and what his interests are.

“An athletic person who likes to play sports and hang out with friends,” Emmett said.

He is very into speaking French. He mentions that he is “almost fluent in French” due to UPrep and studying abroad.

Depending on where Emmett will attend college, he “wants to major in business or international relations.”

Emmett says Upper School English teacher Alana Kaholokula gave him good advice.

“If you really want to see an impact on your grades, you have to really meet your teachers and express interest in the class,” Emmett said.

That made an impact on Emmett, meaning Emmett would 100 percent give that same advice to a Middle School student.

Senior Sam B. has also been attending UPrep since sixth grade.

Sam has figured out that the best advice to give a middle schooler is to “seize every opportunity that you get and try to carry enthusiasm into everything that you do.”

Sam will attend the University of Colorado next year, and he will major in “general design, mostly product design, but also do some urban planning architecture.”

Sam speaks a little bit about what a typical day entails for him.

“I usually drive to school, show up around 8:20ish, maybe grab a bite to eat, go to my first class, then go to whatever is for Community Time, hopefully get some work done, and hang out with my friends,” Sam said. “Just going through the schedule, trying to stay focused as long as possible.”

A Q&A WITH PUMA PRINTS EREPORTER MERIN S., 8TH GRADE

How did you come up with this story idea?

I came up with it because I was curious about it, and I wanted to find answers.

What surprised you while working on this article?

I was surprised about the amount of advice that they were giving, and how much they have learned in their lives as just seniors.

What was the most helpful piece of advice for you?

To keep going and to not give up.

What did you learn while working on this piece?

I learned the [process for writing an article]: lede, quote, transition, quote. That helped me put the story together, which helped me make it organized and put it together.

What skills are you learning while working on Puma Prints?

What’s weird to me is how different it is to write for English class compared to Journalism class. I’m learning to share things with clear explanations. I like Journalism class because I feel like you see into other peoples’ lives and you can get a glimpse into what they like and see how their brain puts things together.

To read more articles from The Puma Press, click here.