First Impressions

Eilidh Catherine Mackinnon

Everyone is scared when they try something new, but my first day at Auchinleck Academy was terrifying!

When at Primary, I knew everyone, and they knew me, but at the Academy, every face was a stranger. We all chose our allies, scrutinized our foes and found ourselves a pack. After all, trying to navigate the corridors is like trying to break through a stampede!

Standing in a whole group of "fresh meat" you feel totally alone, you have no one to turn to when you get lost in the endless maze of stairways and corridors. I searched high and low for my two loyal comrades, and I was so glad when I found them.

Together we set of on a mission to keep our heads down and get through the day. That's easier said than done - when every teacher is looking for a weak member of the herd to pick off and every school gang is looking for someone to terrorize.

I think the hardest part of the day was lunch. After tracking down my crew, we had to join the war of table hunting. Elbowing our way through the hordes we scrambled up to three aged seats and a broken table. I remember the way we crammed our lunch into our mouths, eager to get away from the noise of the canteen and find a secluded corner to hide in. It was the only place in the school that silence could be heard. That was our secret haven.

We made it through the day, and I'm very glad we did. Those first impressions set us up for an enjoyable year. And gave me the experience to guide this years "new meat" on their journey to fitting in. That doesnt always mean blending in with the crowd. We have our own unique way of fitting in - we don't!