Nervous is an understatement. It’s all new and it’s all confusing. Hallways after hallways of unfamiliar classes, faces you’re not used to, people that all know each other — but not you. You’ve never felt so out of place. New school. New student.
By sophomore year, most people are comfortable in their school and know their way around the building and community. However, for Story Sutterfield, it’s not the case. According to Sutterfield, switching schools after freshman year has been difficult for her, as she must adapt to the environment of a school she has not learned yet. Furthermore, many resources at Noblesville High School have helped her get accustomed to the new layout. Sutterfield’s new experiences at NHS differ greatly from what she is used to, as she faced many struggles at her old school.
“I didn’t feel happy there. I didn’t feel like I had a great sense of community,” Sutterfield said.
In April of 2024, Sutterfield had decided that the stress of her old school had gotten to be too much. This led her to her moving schools. After joining NHS, Sutterfield recognized some key changes to her academic life.
“Everything’s changed. Everything. From classes, to the amount of people, to even just the way they teach things,” Sutterfield said.
Although the switch helped her feel more comfortable, there were problems as well. Cosette Fehribach, a counselor at NHS, has helped many new students with their school moves, questions, and struggles of a new school.
“A common problem new students run into is getting lost,” Fehribach said.
For Sutterfield, the excitement also came with hardships and obstacles she had to figure out. Many things intimidated her, but a few things, like Fehribach mentioned, were bigger struggles than all else.
“Getting lost everyday. Every single day. Also, I feel like the block schedules are weird,” Sutterfield said.
In addition to these challenges, the size of Noblesville tends to be overwhelming according to new students. Senior Gracie Navarro, who transferred to NHS this year, came from a comparatively smaller school in Muncie.
“It was such a large shift from Delta. Delta is a very small school. Its total amount of students was only a little under 800. The building was about 1/8 the size of Noblesville,” Navarro said.
These challenges affect different people and student bodies in different ways. At NHS the problems may be difficult to navigate due to the school’s size.
“Different schools in Indiana have different levels of challenges,” Fehribach said.
New places and routines are never easy to get used to, especially in school. According to new students, it feels like every piece of the old normal is different and something one must relearn. However, counselors have ways to make it easier for these new students.
”We give families a folder that has all of the many pieces of information that comes with being a high schooler,” Fehribach said.
The attempt to help new students from counselors and teachers is not in vain, as students like Sutterfield find these resources particularly useful.
“The teachers are really great resources. They’re always really understanding and helpful,” Sutterfield said.
In addition to help from the counselors, the overall community of NHS can make issues new students may face smoother to deal with.
“There’s someone for everyone here. I feel like everyone here is really nice,” Sutterfield said.
These positive interactions with the community can be felt from new students in any grade. Despite joining NHS in her senior year, Navarro has already found comfort in the school.
“It’s been lovely. Everyone has been so welcoming and the school offers so many different extracurricular activities,” Navarro said. “So far, I’m having a blast here.”
For students that have been in the Noblesville school district before, transferring to NHS has the added benefit of reconnecting with old classmates. Sophomore Keira Rice has spent her recent weeks uniting with her childhood friend.
“It’s been really nice reconnecting with Story,” Rice said. “I hadn’t talked to her since 4th grade. It’s been nice getting to catch up with her and see how she’s been.”
For many people, transferring school districts means to transfer from what’s familiar and comfortable. While that feeling of discomfort can be scary, NHS’ methods of caring for new students will help ensure their success.
“The livelihood of Noblesville High School is unmatched,” Sutterfield said.