It was the morning of August 6th, and at seven o’clock in the morning, James Meier was not in his brightest mood. In his tired state he took a shower, making sure to wash extra well, with soap, conditioner, the works all to be fresh and clean for his first day at an American school. Decked out in his maroon dressing gown, Meier schlepped downstairs to a bowl of Cocoa Pops with extra semi-skinned milk. After drinking the leftover milk with the hint of chocolate left from the cereal, Meier got changed into his first day outfit, being sure to avoid skinny clothing to avoid any sort of confliction. His mum gave him a lift to school, and as he entered the canteen, the only thing he could think was “school doesn’t start this early in bloody England.”
Three and a half weeks later, former Grady student Konadu Amoakuh’s alarm clock went off bright and early at six o’clock in Berkshire, England. Snoozing until 6:30, Amoakuh was soon ready to start her day. After taking a shower, brushing her teeth and washing her face, she was threw on some light clothes, straightened her hair and put on the daily makeup all in preparation for the school pictures. Amoakuh strutted into the next room to assist her little sister in the first-day-of-school preparations and soon began her own. The dilemma with the skirt was the highlight of the morning. Not knowing whether to follow the rules and look like a grandma with the skirt seams past the kneees, or take the risk of having a shorter but much more appealing look was certainly an issue. After the grandma look was chosen, the Cheerios were eaten, and the gummy Calicum vitamins were taken, it was time take the taxi to school.
While Amoakuh was sitting in the Magna Carta Hall meeting the senior class and school presidents, half way around the world Meier was awaiting his visit with the counselor in order to receive a schedule. After an hour and a half of sitting, Meier received a temporary schedule placing him in US History. Just a couple minutes felt like a couple hours when extensively reviewing the course syllabus. And with the first words Meier spoke, even as simple as stating his name wasn’t Mark, every eye in the class room was no longer on their phone or unintentionally looking at they syllabus, but on Meier as he showed off his British accent. Class was no longer boring.
On the first day at a new school, the never-ending question is where to sit at lunch. Luckily, Amoakuh was not too threatened by this question. Having met some people a few days before at a school picnic, Amoakuh sat right in the middle of the cafeteria at a circular table with people that were able to hold a conversation without being awkwardly producing dialogue. Meier, however, encountered some interesting discussions. Walking into the canteen, Meier felt unwelcome and made his way out into the courtyard where he was greeted by some rowdy folks. Snacking on his crisps and ham rolls, Meier engaged in a relentless game of twenty questions, most answers in which he did not give. The synthetic bell could not have rung soon enough until Meier hurried to his next lesson.
With only an hour and a half left of the school day, Meier made his way to Forensic Science class. He entered the class with enthusiasm, interested to learn about the science behind CSI. In the end, however, the course followed every other cliché class. Instead of listening to tedious outlines, Amoakuh was listening to tedious disciplinary actions that would take place if you had too many tardies. Crowded into the small gym, Amoakuh sat alongside her fellow classmates and while listening to the new point system that had been instated, she noticed how apparent the cliques within the students were. Some separated by nationalities, some by living situation, and not forgetting the trouble makers, who were easily pointed out by reprimands from the disciplinary master. And she couldn’t help but wonder, where will I fit in to this?
Both students awaited the end of the day with anticipation. And for the first time that day, their experiences were very similar. Amoakuh arrived at the bus area and scouted out her little sister, Meier his older sister. Amoakuh and her sister took the school taxi home; Meier and his sister hitched a ride from a friend. At home, Amoakuh changed into more comfy clothes and napped until it was dinnertime. And Meier took his shoes off, poured a glass of milk, ate some cookies that he has noted to never eat again, and watched Family Guy.
Whether you’re from Willingdon, England or Atlanta, Georgia, the first day at a new school is an experience to remember. Whether it involves debating whether or not to spruce up your uniform skirt or sit through a never-ending game of twenty questions, never underestimate the day that will come.
