High school. It’s a place, that some form emotional attachments to, where different ages and levels of maturity meet to learn, socialize, or fulfill other purposes.  This environment affects the behavior of its inhabitants by shaping and changing them each year.

The difference between behavior in each grade level in high school increases according to how long they have been there and their peers’ influence.

But in every year, especially the last two, each student must make a choice.  A choice of what kind of person they want to be and how they want to affect the school as a whole.

The first year is the year of uncertainty.  Coming in as a freshman is a time when every high school student has to get a feel for the new environment and find a comfort zone.

Due to intimidation by upperclassman and a general shyness and lack of confidence, most freshmen either find a group and stick with it, such as the football team, the music department, or even the film club, or become so secure in themselves and their group that they rise to the top of the freshman food chain. They become the popular freshmen.

These popular freshmen are friends with upper classman and are seen as outgoing. But they are bested by the entire sophomore class.

Sophomore year, tenth grade, is the year of comfort. Having already been a freshman, sophomores know that they are already a step above someone, even if they were not popular freshmen.

Familiarity with the school, teachers, and students  allow sophomores to feel more at ease in their surroundings.  At this stage, sophomores either sympathize with the freshmen and attempt to be as non-threatening as possible, or they lord their new status over the freshman and continue to thrive in their own social circle.

Behavior takes another unexpected turn when junior year comes around.

Junior year is the year of exploration.  Almost everyone has established a core group of friends and gained some confidence.  This allows them to branch out of their own circles and make new friends.

With their status as an upperclassman, juniors gain school spirit and some confidence.  Junior year is the first year that students can truly be a part of Powderpuff, ring ceremony, varsity sports, and the college search.  All of these activities with their class provide juniors with an opportunity to converse with people they have never spoken to before, resulting in new friendships and social circles to be made.

Of course, juniors are not quite yet at the top of the food chain.  That position belongs solely to the seniors.

Senior year is the year of confidence.  By staying in the JC environment for such a long time, seniors are completely at ease around any part of the school or school activity.

Seniors occupy the top of the food chain and run the school.  But not all of them handle this power with grace.  Their complete confidence makes some of them rebel against the school or just act mean to underclassmen and those they deem below them.  They tend to be more reckless because this is their last year.

However, seniors also tend to band together in solidarity, becoming a closer class.  Others use their confidence to try new things and make the most of their year in a nondestructive way.

Each year shapes students differently.  As the years go by, students generally become surer of themselves, for better or for worse.

Meg Kirchner is a Reporter for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com.