Transitioning from eighth grade to high school isn’t always an easy task for most students. But Park View Intermediate eighth graders recently gained some insight into the ‘big move’ from Sam Rayburn High School freshmen and seniors as part of the school’s GEAR UP program.

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded six-year initiative currently serving more than 2,800 eighth graders at eight of Pasadena ISD’s 10 intermediate schools. GEAR UP is designed to encourage students to attend either a college or university after their high school graduation and to prepare them for college success. Park View’s GEAR UP coordinator Laurie Etnyre said holding the transitional meetings with Rayburn students have helped their program reach its goals.

“Having the opportunity to speak with high school students allowed our eighth graders to develop a better understanding of what it will be like to move into the ninth grade,” Etnyre said. “Hopefully their discussions with the Rayburn students helped them understand how important it is to attend class and to always do their homework and turn it in on time, which will also ultimately better prepare them for college.”

A panel of seven Rayburn students including three freshmen who attended Park View last year and four seniors discussed a variety of topics with the eighth graders including extra-curricular activities, time management, Pre-AP and AP classes, and taking the PSAT, ACT and SAT.

“I hope the students listened to what we said, and hopefully they plan to participate in school activities and keep their grades up,” said Rayburn senior Julie Nguyen. “I also hope they understand that high school is a step closer to being on their own in the real world, so they can’t slack off anymore if that’s what they’re used to doing.”

Park View eighth grader Gabriel Florez said speaking with the high school students made him feel less nervous about the transition.

“I have a better perspective and understanding now of what high school is going to be like,” he said.

Rayburn’s freshmen counselor Sandra Henry said students will face the challenge of having to pass all their classes every year because now graduation requires 26 credits as compared to the required 24 credits in the 2005-2006 school year.

“High school is fun but there is little time or tolerance for foolishness that takes time away from academics,” said Henry. “The faculty is under pressure to teach certain concepts and expect their students to continue to learn on a daily basis.”

Etnyre said some other major differences between high school and eighth grade include the size of the campus, the number of students and more strict tardy rules.

“Eighth graders can start preparing for high school now by making sure they go directly to their classes instead of slowly making their way to class while they socialize, and they need to make sure they write down what their assignments are and be sure to turn them all in,” she said. “They can also help themselves make a smooth transition by taking school more seriously this last semester and by doing their very best.”

Henry said students can also start preparing themselves for high school by increasing the amount and level of material they read every week as well as mentally prepare themselves about coming to high school and being serious about preparing for life after high school.

“I think asking questions and listening to experienced high school kids was a good way to understand what high school expects of us,” said Park View eighth grader Favian Cortez.

Etnyre said the Rayburn students offered the eighth graders good advice and that overall the transitional meetings were a success.

“The high school students did a wonderful job speaking to our eighth graders about moving into high school,” said Etnyre. “They were excited about talking to them, but they were also serious when and stressed the important areas with the students. I, along with my students, were so impressed.”