First Day Feedback
BV Newsroom
By Zoe Darby
Fair Oaks, CA - August 27, 2026
Welcome back, Broncos! We’ve already finished our first two weeks of school! The very first day always comes with mixed emotions. No one wants to return. New classes and new teachers can make it a little nerve-wracking, especially for freshmen. But it isn’t all bad, though; Seeing your friends, talking about your summer, and being a year closer to graduation can help mitigate the dread. Recently, our BV Newsroom Instagram sent out a google form asking for first-day feedback, so let’s hear from our own classmates how their day went.
While some people may not have had the best day, the general sentiment among responders was positive. Many said that the day was fine, albeit mundane. Darbin Emanavin, however, took on a more upbeat attitude: “I was excited to see my friends again and to meet my new teachers! I’m excited to get to work!”
Similarly, senior Liberty Vincent says she was “pumped to have a fresh start” and made sure she “started off optimistic”. Going into a less-than-desirable situation with a positive mindset can be the difference between a bad day and a good one. Next time you find yourself dreading school, take a page from Liberty’s book and try looking on the bright side.
V Umemoto is a great example to follow as well. “One of the things I like about being in school again is, of course, spending time with my friends, since I care about them a lot…another reason I like about being back is the structure. School gives me some kind of routine to follow, which helps me mentally prepare for the day.”
Structure was mentioned in nearly every single response to the question ‘what do you like about going back to school?’. School provides a steady routine. Bells ring at the same time every day, you go to the same classrooms, and you eat lunch with the same people. Senior Molly Heath says “when I’m off of a schedule, I feel all over the place”. Summer can slip us back into bad habits of sleeping late and scrolling all day. School provides a space to be productive and have fun with friends.
Still, we can weigh the benefits of going back to school all year long. V reflects that “I am not looking forward to homework; I remember often staying up late to finish work…Another thing I dislike is how school can negatively impact my mental state. I [became] very anxious in the mornings, tired by noon, and sometimes felt overwhelmed.” It is undeniable that there will be scary or overwhelming moments in the upcoming year. For Elliot Banas, that means having to take notes in his calculus class. But getting lost, switching classes, making new friends, and trying new things can also shake people up a little.
Isaac Aguas can testify to this. “I was nervous being in dual enrollment because it was a completely new experience for me and I had no idea what to expect. I also genuinely could not find J5 and was late to class.”
It’s important to know you’re not alone in your fears or fumbles. Everyone has moments of anxiety, nerves, or embarrassment. V admits, “I felt anxious about my third period, as I knew I'd need to get a schedule/level change. I just didn't know what to expect from the class and if I was missing out on anything important in the class I may end up switching to.”
Not all moments are scary, though. “[It was funny] seeing Mr. Lane sit criss-cross applesauce,” says Alessandra Cosentino.
“Some person complimented my outfit!” Lucy Burmeister, a junior, notes. “They also thought I was a freshman…”
Since it is the beginning of a new school year, it’s the perfect time to meet new people and make new friends. Darbin met Dom, a fellow junior in her Spanish class, who is “really good at speaking Spanish”. Liberty shares that she “walked a freshman to class and played Minecraft Kahoot, because senior year is sunshine and rainbows.” Maybe the next person you talk to will turn out to be your next best friend, so always be open to new interactions.
Hopefully this will be a great year for all the students at Bella Vista, both academically and socially. Even if your first day back was unpleasant or downright miserable, there are still many more days ahead that all have the chance to be better. Remember to stay hopeful, keep an open mind, and give your best effort every day. Good luck!
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