Back to school is a happy time for some and an unhappy time for others. Personally, I love it.
For some reason, having new school supplies feels really good. Then, walking in on the first day and meeting your teachers is just so much fun.
But for me, the most exciting thing this year is that it’s my first year of middle school. That means new buildings, routines, directions, and all that new stuff.
It also means more freedom, both a good and a scary thing. It means getting to school earlier, and leaving later. It pretty much means an overhaul of what school has been like for the past four years.
When you think about the school year, you can realize it’s kind of a cycle:
-
New teachers, new classroom, new everything
-
You get familiar with everyone and everything, and it becomes a community
-
You leave at the time when you are completely settled
-
Repeat
During each day, I don’t really notice the cycle though. I’m too busy learning new ideas and skills that help me now and later in life.
Many kids will say they don’t enjoy school; yes, they would rather be home playing video games or playing in a pool, but, honestly, I think that –deep down– they enjoy it.
I’m really lucky that, at my school, everyone is so nice, the teachers are supportive, and overall, it’s a great experience.
Well, that time is fast approaching, and I hope your kids love it as much as I do.
Related Stories
‹

CHCCS Superintendent Trice Shares Excitement, Details New Cellphone Policy Ahead of New School YearMonday will mark the first CHCCS school year under Superintendent Rodney Trice's leadership. He joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss.
![]()
Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Superintendent Rodney Trice on the New School YearChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Rodney Trice joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, August 19.

Orange County Schools Superintendent Jones Talks Back-to-School Tips, District Priorities for 2025-26Orange County Schools Superintendent Danielle Jones joined 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell recently to discuss back to school preparation and district priorities.

'Everything We Do Has Meaning': Lloyd Kramer Reflects on a Career in the HumanitiesOutgoing Carolina Public Humanities director Lloyd Kramer reflects on his career, and the social importance of history and the humanities.

'We Are 49th Out Of 50': Public School Forum of NCWith education at the center of state budget talks, the Public School Forum of NC releases a report on the state of North Carolina's schools.
![]()
What to Expect (and Not Expect) in the General Assembly Short SessionImmigration, education, marijuana, childcare, open records: which bills will pass the General Assembly this year? Sen. Graig Meyer weighs in.

DeSantis Is Defending New Slavery Teachings. Civil Rights Leaders See a Pattern of ‘Policy Violence’Written by STEVE PEOPLES, BRENDAN FARRINGTON AND KAT STAFFORD Civil rights activists cheered when Ron DeSantis pardoned four Black men wrongfully convicted of rape as one of his first actions as Florida’s governor. But four years later, as DeSantis eyes the presidency, their hope that the Republican would be an ally on racial justice has long faded. Instead, […]

North Carolina House Unlikely To Proceed With Education Overhaul, Speaker SaysWritten by HANNAH SCHOENBAUM A sweeping education proposal that would take away power from North Carolina superintendents and the State Board of Education, placing it in the hands of public school parents, is unlikely to advance this session, the House speaker said Thursday. The 26-page bill, introduced last week but pulled from a committee agenda, would […]

CHCCS Elementary Schools' Early Start Time Will Not Move ForwardFacing a bus driver shortage, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education recently brainstormed solutions to get students to school on time. One possibility was moving elementary school start times forward. But some parents were opposed to this change, and the school board decided against it.

'How Are We Engaging in Schools?' Orange County Shares Survey ResultsIn its first meeting of the year, the Orange County Schools Board of Education discussed results from a survey that aimed to better understand issues facing parents and students.
›