“What’s Trigonometry?” My grandma said. “We didn’t have to learn that when I was in high school.” Despite the thought that school hasn’t changed over the years, Freedom High School teachers have proved there were in fact changes. Some of  the changes they didn’t have but we do include: no bells, no block scheduling and no laptops. These differences changed the high school experience significantly. Students think it’s unfair that generations before us didn’t have to learn trigonometry or other versions of math and science.

“I think the curriculum has gotten harder and more vigorous because of the more challenging classes and AP classes. We didn’t have those when I was here at Freedom,” Ms. Ruthanne Gudzan said.

Other than the curriculum, there were a few other changes. Before we got the laptops that we quite often take for granted, students had to go to the library and the small computer center to get their information. Now, we have the technology on our phones and laptops that make it so much easier to look something up for an assignment. Would you rather collect your information through books, magazine articles and newspapers for your information? Or, would you flip out your phone and google for whatever you want?

“When I was a student at Freedom, the social interaction between the students and teachers was very low. Honestly, I don’t think I could do what you’re doing now with me like asking me questions and really trying to connect and open up to me. I wish we could have gotten the encouragement the students get now,” Mrs. Beth Majors said. This was a bit startling, but it was how it was back then. I couldn’t imagine not talking to my teachers. We should all be very thankful for the relationships we are even able to have with our teachers.

The clubs back when some of our teachers were in school, haven’t really changed now. For example, they had Art club, Spanish club, and many of the same clubs we still have. However, the students back then did tend to stay on their track with the career choice they had. For example, a student who took business didn’t try votech or art. Now, you see some kids who take a business class, an art class and a creative writing class, with no concern whether or not to stick to one thing. There is a vast availability of careers out there, but back then, as a few teachers told me, most women were encouraged to become a secretary or a nurse.

“Back when I was in school, we didn’t have the ‘next level’ classes,” Majors said. “There was calculus and analytical physics, but no advanced placement classes.” This got me wondering about all of the potential that wasn’t noticed due to the lack of advanced classes. However, we do have them now and are benefiting every day from these classes.

If I were to have the knowledge I have now and transition to what high school life was back then, I would have a hard time adapting. Like everyone else, I have gotten used to pulling out my phone to look up anything I needed to outside of school. I still go to the library, but only for books and movies. With this technology, life is easier for the kids born near or in the 21st century and is taken for granted with the growing world.

Also, it’s not just the technology, but the interaction as well. I could have never made it through the school year without talking to my teachers and questioning them about life events or homework. I feel lucky that the teachers and staff today are easy to talk to and are willing to help with anything if they can.