by Sudha Sudhaker ‘21

As I look back on my high school experience, it seems like just yesterday that I was an incoming freshman at orientation. It’s safe to say that I never expected my four years at Sherwood to shape me as much as it did. Oftentimes, students don’t expect their classes to be among the most memorable experiences of high school, but in my case, electives that I committed to ended up really giving me a direction for my future and defining my high school years.

One of my most unforgettable experiences was being in the med-sci program since ninth grade, as the experiences solidified my decision to go to nursing school. Spending class periods taking notes on different bodies and diseases actually became interesting to me. Getting to dissect a cow’s heart sophomore year and then getting to witness an open heart surgery during a field trip junior year were definitely some of my most memorable moments. My junior year in the med-sci program was certainly the most demanding. The first unit exam I took I got a C on, which was discouraging. However, I realized that I needed to manage time my better and have better study skills. Countless hours were dedicated to study different disease processes, memorizing medical terms, and learning how to perform different nursing duties. Of course, it was not easy at all, but I knew that this was the path I wanted and was determined to succeed. The dedication paid off and I ended up passing my final exam.The last semester of junior year was spent in completing clinical rotations in the mornings at a retirement home. This was where I got a chance to care for residents and listen to their stories. This was an unforgettable experience that showed me how I can make a difference in someone’s life. 

During sophomore year, I decided to join newspaper class, which was one the best decisions I made in high school. Newspaper class gave me an outlet to disconnect from the stresses of school and simply be creative. Moreover, the Warrior has provided me with a community that I will always cherish. I’m glad that I took the initiative to try something new and join the Warrior.

Even though I missed the traditional senior year experience, I am satisfied with the experiences and memories I had at Sherwood. I will definitely miss the little moments that defined my high school experience like walking to class with my best friends or even the last minute reviewing on Quizlet before the AP Lang vocab quiz. My best advice to any incoming freshman would be to try new things and take advantage of Sherwood’s many opportunities and academic programs. Cherish your time in high school because it really does fly by.