Students lucky to go to school even if its newout knowing anyone, odds are youBy Erin Homercomponents that comeselves, there justmind on nights wherehave friends at another highGRADE 9, KINGS CHRISTIANwith growing up. becomes more and morethe homework assign-school(s). COLLEGIATEThese layers could beand more.ments were heavy.Its nice having new friends, butanything from gettingWell Ive recentlyHigh school was anif you have friends somewhere else,t has been said that atallercome to the conclusioneye-opener for this, having moreits very hard to be apart fromgrownup is a childhomework, morethat much of what isaspect of school. I couldthem. Iwith layers on. responsibilities or moreadded to a teenagers lifetell from the first dayI am lucky to live close to myWe can take this defi-privileges. It almostcomes through the tran-that my nights wouldfriends, but not being at the samenition and replace theseems that with eachsition to high school. never be 100 per centschool has been hard. Other thantheory of layers with theThe first change Ihomework-free. layer we add to our-that, I cant think of anythingnoticed during the firstWhen I was younger, Ithats wrong with high school. semester of high schoolcouldnt wait for the dayYes, the social dynamics are awas an increase in thethat I would have a back-bit...shall I say quirky, and you mayworkload. pack full of heavynot get along with every person,I remember when Ibooks... now that Ivebut all in all the biggest part ofwas in Grade 6, thinkingbeen that person with ahigh school is accepting situations,that six math questionsbulging backpack severalso Ive learned to just deal with thewas unacceptable. times, I cant believe Ithe people. problems I face.How could anyactually wanted that.If youre like me, you went intoI still do miss my elementaryteacher expect this ofThis just goes to showhigh school with almost no oneEuropean Engineering Combinedschool. me? that with age, comes per-you knew. At first I saw this as aWithTraditionalWorkmanshipI still have my confidence, andThis naive questionspective.curse. my enthusiasm about school, butoften flew through myAnother difference isOn a few occasions I spoke thenothing will be the same as mytypical teenage line which is... Thisexperience in elementary school.is ruining my life!This is one thing that I still haveHowever, I've come to accepta hard time accepting, but eachthis as a blessing. day I just remind myself that I'mBuilding on theNot knowing anyone, forced melucky to be able to go to school atto make friends. I no longer hadBrightest Ideas Around Glassall.the security blanket of familiarityIve shared some changes ofand I had to spread outside of myhigh school some more pleas-905.849.0266comfort zone. ant than others but in the end,Meeting new people was a defi-Id rather have a school to com-nite pro in my high school experi-pare, than no school at all. ence.January 29 & 30, 2011I count myself lucky that I haveIm sure youve never heard theBellydance.Burlington Convention Centrethis experience, even if there are aword pro without a con following1120 Burloak Drive & QEWfew downsides here and there. it. Yes, there are some downsidesThis is probably the best lessonTotally hip!to high school. Show Hours:learned in my first semester.If you started high school with-11:00 AM to 5:00 PM%HOO\8SWHDFKHV WKH DUW RI UHDO (J\SWLDQ EHOO\GDQFH /HDUQ WR PRYH LQ D ZKROH QHZ ZD\ *UHDW FRUH ZRUNRXW 0DNH QHZ IULHQGV 3OXV $UDELF 'UXPPLQJ <RJD 6H[\)LW +DZDLLDQ =XPED /DWLQ DQG*$PHULFDQ 7ULEDO $2.00 OAKVILLE SERVICETUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY 'DLO\ &ODVVHV AFTERNOON DEPARTURES TO FALLSVIEW CASINO:RUNVKRSV (YHQWV FROMWHOPEDALE MALLEN*After $10 Slot EHOO\GDQFHReward BonusFODVVHV RQO\ Government Photo ID required)UHH 7ULDO &ODVV ZZZ EHOO\XS FDCASINO NIAGARA FALLSVIEW CASINO TUESDAYMORNINGSMORNINGSWED. & SAT.$12pp INCLUDES $12pp INCLUDES BUFFET LUNCHBUFFET LUNCHMinimum 5- hour stay required. Valid government-issued photo identification and Players Advantage Club Card required to redeem offers. Offers subject to change without notice. Offers cannot be combined/substituted. Must be 19 years of age or older to board coaches for casino. Void where prohibited.FOR RESERVATIONS CALL /DNHVKRUH5G : 8QLW LQ%URQWHMASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS)UHH SDUNLQJ 1-800-838-1789www.cobblestonembers.caT.I.C.O. #50007535168 CLARENCE ST., PORT COLBORNE, L3K 3G5OMCA Member406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE%HOO\GDQFH WKDW PRYHV \RXwww.casinocoach.ca www.frontlinetours.caACROSS FROM RONA LANSING905-337-2066www.oakvillebeaver.com OAKVILLE BEAVERFriday, January 28, 2011 12