essay about new girl at school

New Girl in School

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The new girl at school

By Holliebug

It was a normal day at school for me but the first for Sophie.she looked sad and shy so I introduced myself "hi I'm Vada what's your name?" "Sophie" she replied then blushed.I sat with her at lunch and asked about herself I found out that her parents divorced when she was 6 she lives with her mom and stepdad she has a stepsister who she loves dearly.This weekend I spent the night at Sophie's her sister is wonderful so is her mother but her stepfather is kinda cross bad day at work?Sophie came to school today with a black eye and fractured hand. I asked but she said she tripped and that day I believed her.I went to Sophie's today after school she got in trouble for not getting everything off the carpet. I heard lots of screaming then Sophie came in crying and said I had to go home.I didn't hear anything from Sophie that weekend.Monday, Sophie wasn't there monday evening I was watching the news there was a amber alert...for Sophie thoughts were racing through my head I called her house no one answered.I stayed up untill 3am wondering untill I was too tired to think anymore.the next day at school I saw her older sister and her parents.her sister gave me a look that I knew something was up.After school I called her sister these were her exact words "Vada I have to talk fast!""I need you Vada My Father murdered Sophie!""I don't know where she is".......silence...... Then screaming untill the line went dead I didn't know what to do! Would the police belive me?is Sophie dead? Is her sister ok? I waited untill 1am then did the bravest thing in my life I went to sophie's I threw rocks at her sisters window."Vada! I'm coming down!" she told me the whole thing.I asked where is she? She thinks she is in the forest behind their house we searched for 2 hours we started to head back untill we found a blood trail we followed it and found a box we looked inside and found Sophie.I started crying I barely could tell it was her she was so decapitated and bloody.we called 911 Sophie was pronounced dead at the scene cause of death was blunt force trauma to the abdomen,head and spine she also suffered from mulitple stab wounds. Her stepfather was charged so was her mother her sister now lives with her aunt.As for me Im still in shock from this whole thing.sophie was 2 days away from her 11 birthday

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• School Education /

Essay on My First Day in School: Sample in 100, 200, 350 Words

• Updated on  
• Jan 23, 2024

Essay on My First Day in School: The first day of school is often considered an important day in every child’s life. It is a time of a mix of emotions, like nervousness, excitement, homesickness, feelings of shyness, and likewise. But did you know these feelings are responsible for making our day memorable?

As children, we all are like a blank canvas, easily dyed into any colour. Our first day in school is like a new world to us. As a child, we all have experienced those feelings. So, to make you feel nostalgic and refresh those special feelings, we have brought some samples of essay on my first day in school.

Quick Read: Essay on Best Friend

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on My First Day in School in 100 words
• 2 Essay on My First Day in School Sample in 200 Words
• 3 Essay on My First Day in Day in School in 350 Words
• 4 FAQs 

Essay on My First Day in School in 100 words

It was a cloudy day when I took my first step into the compound of my school. I was carrying a new backpack that was filled with notebooks. Though the backpack was a bit heavy, instead of focusing on the weight, I was excited about the beginning of my journey on my first day in school.

My classroom was at the end of the corridor. As I entered my classroom, my class teacher introduced me to the class and made me feel welcome. Activities like reading, solving problems in groups, and sharing our lunch boxes slowly and steadily transformed the new student with a sense of belonging.

The whole day progressed with mixed excitement as well as emotions. As the bell rang, declaring the end of the school day, the school felt like a world of possibilities where the journey was more than textbooks.

To improve your essay writing skills, here are the top 200+ English Essay Topics for school students.

Essay on My First Day in School Sample in 200 Words

It was a sunny day and the sun was shining brightly. With my new and attractive backpack, I was moving through the school gate. It was my first day in school and I was filled with nervousness and excitement. From the tower of the building to the playground everything was bigger than life. As a school student, I was about to enter a new world. 

The corridor was filled with the echo of students. As I entered the classroom, wearing a mix of curiosity and excitement, my classmates and class teacher welcomed me with a warm smile. After a round of introductions and some warm-up activities, strangers gradually started tuning into potential friends. At lunchtime, the cafeteria was filled with the smell of delicious food. However, I hesitated before joining the group of students but soon enough, I was laughing with my new friends and sharing stories. The unfamiliar were now my friends and transformed my mixed emotions into delightfulness. 

The bell rang for the next class and I stepped out for new learning in my new academic home. My first day of school had many memorable stories, with old subjects and new introductions of knowledge. The day was spent learning, sharing and making new memories. 

Also Read: Essay on Joint Family in 500+ words in English  

Essay on My First Day in Day in School in 350 Words

My first day in school started by stepping onto the school bus with a bag full of books and a heart full of curiosity. It was like I was starting a new chapter in my life. After travelling a long way back, I stepped at the gate of my school. The school gate welcomed me with open arms and greeted me with a sense of excitement as well as nervousness.

As I entered the classroom, I found many new faces. Arranging my stuff on the seat, I sat next to an unknown, who later on turned into the best friend of my life. I entered my class with a welcoming smile, and later on, I turned everything in with ease. During our lunchtime, the cafeteria was filled with the energy of students. 

At first, I hesitated to interact with the children, but later on, I was a part of a group that invited me to join the table. At lunchtime, I made many new friends and was no longer a stranger. After having delicious food and chit-chatting with friends, we get back to our respective classrooms. Different subjects such as mathematics, science, and English never left the same impact as they did on the first day of school. 

The teacher taught the lessons so interestingly that we learned the chapter with a mix of laughter and learning. At the end of the day, we all went straight to the playground and enjoyed the swings. Moreover, in the playground, I also met many faces who were new to the school and had their first day in school, like me.

While returning home, I realised that my first day was not just about learning new subjects; it was about making new friends, sailing into new vibrant classrooms, and settling myself as a new student. The morning, which was full of uncertainty at the end of the day, came to an end with exciting adventures and endless possibilities. With new experiences, I look forward to new academic and personal growth in the wonderful world of education.

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC in 6 Months?

Also Read: Trees Are Our Best Friend Essay

My first day of school was filled with mixed feelings. I was nervous, homesick, and excited on the first day at my school.

While writing about the first day of school, I share my experience of beginning my journey from home. What were my feelings, emotions, and excitement related to the first day of school, and how did I deal with a whole day among the unknown faces, these were some of the things I wrote in my first day of school experience essay. 

The first day of school is important because, as a new student, we manage everything new. The practice of managing everything is the first step towards self-responsibility.

Along with studying my favourite subjects, I share fun moments and delicious foods with my friends in school. 

Parents are filled with emotions on the first day of their child. As school is the place to gain knowledge, skills, and experience, parents try their best to give their children the best academics they can.

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For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Deepika Joshi

Deepika Joshi is an experienced content writer with educational and informative content expertise. She has hands-on experience in Education, Study Abroad and EdTech SaaS. Her strengths lie in conducting thorough research and analysis to provide accurate and up-to-date information to readers. She enjoys staying updated on new skills and knowledge, particularly in the education domain. In her free time, she loves to read articles, and blogs related to her field to expand her expertise further. In her personal life, she loves creative writing and aspires to connect with innovative people who have fresh ideas to offer.

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The La Salle Falconer

The high school experience: a personal reflection.

Filled with growth and life lessons, the high school experience has been a journey worth the climb.

Anna Waldron , Editor May 4, 2022

High school is arguably the most transformative time of a person’s life. My own experience has been filled with more memories, laughter, stress, and — most importantly, growth — than I ever could have anticipated when I began. 

The lessons I have learned about myself, about others, and about the world in the last four years have shaped who I am today, and that person is far from the naive 14-year-old girl who walked through those glass doors of La Salle nearly four years ago. I was oblivious to the overwhelming emotional distress that I would feel when I started high school. 

In some ways, it feels like an everyday battle. 

As a freshman, the struggle began with adjusting to what felt like a whole new world. I was desperately trying to make friends, considering I had only one. I never knew what it was like to feel alone in a school with so many people. I felt like I had to act a certain way or be a certain person in order to maintain a basic conversation with people in my classes or on my soccer team. 

Every day, my head was filled with an overwhelming concern about how I could manage to make myself look like someone with more friends than I actually had at the time. 

I remember constantly thinking, “I’ll start enjoying this at some point, right?” 

The truth is, I did. 

To anyone who is feeling the way I once felt, please know that those feelings do go away. By the end of my freshman year and into the next, I enjoyed myself. School wasn’t particularly challenging, and I was spending my weekends having fun with my friends and going to basketball games and sleepovers. I had finally created a routine and felt mostly content with my life, aside from daunting thoughts in my head telling me it was all a lie.

I think that’s something that all teenagers deal with. It comes with the age, the questions, “do my friends actually like me?” or “am I enough?” — “do people worry about me or have I tricked myself into thinking they do?” 

I continued to move throughout my sophomore year feeling a new level of comfort with my life. Then, the pandemic hit. 

The original two weeks of quarantine turned into two months, and then two years. The predictable high school experience I had become accustomed to was no longer my reality, and instead, high school turned into an atypical rollercoaster of isolation from all the essential parts of the experience. 

To say it was hard would be an understatement, but after the initial forced adjustment to a remote life, I was forced to be content without relying on others.

Without having to fear other people’s judgments of me or having to conceal myself in social situations to appear more “acceptable,” I gained independence and confidence within myself that I didn’t know existed.

Then finally — after over a year — the long-awaited return to school arrived. 

I rejoiced in my ability to thrive academically again and I was so relieved to feel like I was really learning. I reconnected with my friends, ate lunch outside, took finals, and then — after a blur of two months — the year ended. My junior year flew by like no other. 

When senior year rolled around, I felt out of place. I couldn’t imagine a world where I belonged to the oldest class at the school. In the beginning, it was odd getting used to, but after a few weeks, it was nothing but a thrill as I planned what the next weekend alongside my friends would hold. 

My friendships were flourishing and I was becoming closer and closer with people I had never really gotten to know. 

Unlike the three years prior, my senior year has felt like a stereotypical high school experience, and I could not be more grateful for it. 

I always thought of myself as someone who was above enjoying things like attending soccer games, getting ready for homecoming with my friends, singing karaoke in someone’s basement, or going to a trampoline park for an 18-year-old’s birthday party. 

The truth is, I’m not. 

I regret that I spent so long depriving myself of the things I love in order to fit a narrative that I created for myself. 

I love that I will graduate high school happier and more fulfilled than I ever felt during my other three years here. It feels like everything has finally come full circle, after all these years of feeling so alone. 

So yes, it was transformative. I am finally content with the person I have become and the life I have chosen to lead. I wouldn’t be the same without La Salle and I wouldn’t be the same without the people I’ve gotten to know here. 

I know that I will look back on my high school experience here, not feeling critical of the insecurities I have felt, but feeling grateful for the memories and lessons that came regardless of them. 

Senior Anna Waldron has lived in Portland, Oregon her whole life, in the same neighborhood as nine members of her extended family.  Outside of The...

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Apalachee High School shooting victims identified; 14-year-old suspect to be charged with murder

Apalachee high school shooting victims identified | full press conference.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp joined members of the GBI and Barrow County Sheriff's Office for a second briefing on the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School. During the news conference, authorities identified the four victims who were killed: two 14-year-olds, and two teachers.

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the four people who were killed during a shooting at Apalachee High School on Wednesday morning.

In a press briefing Wednesday night, the GBI identified the victims as Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie, both math teachers, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14 years old .

During an earlier news press conference, law enforcement identified the shooting suspect as 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at the high school .

(Left to right) Richard Aspinwall, Christina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn, and Christian Angulo (Supplied)

Apalachee High School shooting timeline

According to the GBI, the Barrow County Sheriff's Office began receiving calls at around 10:20 a.m. Officers responded to the high school within minutes and almost immediately encountered the suspected shooter, who dropped his weapon and surrendered.

"Obviously the shooter was armed, and our school resource officer engaged him and the shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up, that it would end with an OIS — an officer-involved shooting," Smith said.

According to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, the shooter was immediately interviewed. Smith said that he is not aware of any connection between the student and the victims, but they are looking into all aspects surrounding the incident.

The GBI says that their priority is to gather all the facts and make sure they are accurate. The GBI says there is a lot of work to be done, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. 

PHOTOS: Apalachee High School mass shooting

RELATED: LIST: Deadly school shootings since 1999 in the U.S.

The school was cleared by 11:30 a.m., and students were released to their families. Winder-Barrow High School was also briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution, though no threat was found.

Apalachee High School shooting victims: the latest

The GBI identified the four victims killed in the shooting at Apalachee High School. Two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and two teachers, Richard Aspenwall and Christina Irimie, lost their lives. FOX 5's Brittany Edney spoke with students who knew the victims. She has the story from Barrow County.

All those transported to Northeast Georgia Health System's hospitals in Barrow and Braselton have been treated and released, officials said. Those taken to the NGHS Gainesville are all stable. 

The condition of the victim who was taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston was not immediately available.

All Barrow County schools will be closed for the remainder of the week to give students, staff, and families time to mourn. 

GBI officials say they are working to figure out the full timeline of events.

Gray was moved to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center overnight. He will be tried and arraigned as an adult. The full list of charges against him has not been released, but he will be, at very least, charged with murder.

Police and first responders respond to a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 4, 2024 ( FOX 5 )

Investigators stress that there is no evidence suggesting Gray was working with anyone else and say there are no other credible threats to other schools. However, as always, they say they will remain vigilant.

According to U.S. News & World Report , there are approximately 1,900 students enrolled at the school. It is one of two high schools in the Barrow County Public Schools district. The school is located about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. 

RELATED: Students recount harrowing moments

Who is Colt Gray?

While authorities have been giving regular updates on Wednesday's school shooting at Apalache High School, there are still many unanswered questions.

The GBI identified the shooter as 14-year-old Colt Gray, who attended the high school.

Investigators say he was armed with an "AR-platform style weapon."

They are still investigating how he obtained the weapon and was able to bring it onto the school campus.

The FBI and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office revealed Gray was on their radar about 16 months ago, and was questioned about reported posts on an online gaming site threatening to shoot up a school. The FBI, in a joint release with JCSO, stated there was not enough evidence to charge Gray.

RELATED: What we know about the suspected shooter

New details released in Apalachee High School shooting

Authorities have released the names of the victims killed in the shooting at Apalachee High School. The suspected shooter, is expected to be booked on murder charges, according to the GBI. FOX 5's Brittany Edney has the update from law enforcement.

Colt Gray's home raided

Within hours of Wednesday’s shooting at Apalachee High School, law enforcement from state and federal agencies swarmed the home of the suspected shooter, Colt Gray. Investigators from the GBI, ATF, FBI and other agencies were on the scene well into the evening, searching the home for evidence. 

"The police presence and the SWAT, they were flying down the road. I know 50 cars plus, just coming fast, jumping out of cars, full armor, guns in hand, surrounding the house," said neighbor Christie Ridings. 

Investigators say they were searching for guns and other weapons, as well as computers, cellphones, and other electronics that could access social media accounts, anything that could help piece together a timeline of events, a motive, and how this could happen. 

Ridings said the family has lived in the home just across the Winder line, in the town of Bethlehem for about two years.  

"I was in shock...there’s just no way. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. That this is really what’s been going on in the news is actually the guys across the street. Or lived across the street," she said. 

Apalachee shooting suspect's home searched

Law enforcement spent the later part of the afternoon searching the home of suspected Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray. The 14-year-old is accused of killing four people, two teachers and two students, and injuring nine others. FOX 5's Denise Dillon was there as law enforcement gathered evidence. She has the story.

She said sometime after 11 a.m., right after learning the schools were on lockdown, she saw a massive police presence.  

"It hit us hard emotionally, especially my grandsons. They have a lot of friends at Apalachee. And I don’t know... my heart just goes out to everybody," she said. 

Ridings said one of her grandsons texted a photo of the alleged gunman which had been circulating. She realized it was the same teen she saw get on the school bus right in front of her home. 

"He was in blue jeans, like baggy blue jeans, a black hoody jacket zipped up, with the hood up on, and a backpack. And I don’t know why, it felt off. And I just kept looking at him, trying to figure out who he was, where he lived. Like I said, it was the first time I'd ever seen him," she recounted. 

Winder community in shock

Vigil for apalachee high school victims.

As Georgians are coming to grips with what happened at Apalachee High School, the community came together the night after the deadly shooting to lean on each other for support.

Those who were inside Apalachee High School are sharing their stories, from seeing classmates and faculty shot, to having to pass bodies and pools of blood in the hallway. 

"We have practice drills, so everybody thought it was a drill until we heard everything. We heard the announcements go on, and it was like, 'This is not a drill, this is a lockdown.' Everybody was crying, everybody was on the floor hugging each other and everything," said student Alexsandra Romero. 

There is no shortage of horror stories from this traumatic and violent day. 

"When someone preys on kids, it's tragic. Like I said earlier, hate is not going to prevail in our county, and it's not going to prevail in our state," Sheriff Smith said during a 9 p.m. press conference. "And pure evil did what happened today. That's all I can tell you." 

SEE ALSO: Woman says father was one of the victims

Sheriff asks for prayers after Apalachee High School shooting

During a press conferenced Wednesday night, the Barrow County Sheriff once again asked for prayers from the community and reemphasized that the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School was "an act of evil" that has "no place in our county."

Abner Sanz found out about the shooting through his text messages. 

"I was just like, 'What's going on?' And then I checked the family group chat and there's my sister saying that there's a shooting at Apalachee and that's how I was just like, 'This isn't real, this can't be happening,'" Sanz said.  

He was friends with 14-year-old Christian Angulo throughout middle school. 

"I started asking other people if it was true that he had passed away because I just wanted to know. I was in denial because you would never believe somebody that you knew would pass away just like that," Sanz said. 

Isaiah Hooks, a sophomore football player, says he is in disbelief over Coach Aspinwall’s death. 

"It's just so hard to think that somebody that you spent so much time with, because this is my second year with coach, but spending so much time, like family basically," said Hooks. "So, turning around, knowing that he's not going to be there…it was kind of just like it hit hard because none of us wanted to believe it."

RELATED: Apalachee High School shooting victims | What we know

Community attends vigil to mourn shooting victims

More than 200 people attended a community vigil to pay their respects to the victims of a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School. FOX 5's Joi Dukes has the story from Winder, Georgia.

Barrow County community mourns victims

More than 200 people gathered at Jug Tavern Park in Winder for a community prayer vigil just hours after the school shooting. Tears were flowing as grief gripped those impacted by Wednesday’s violence.  

Hearts were heavy as city leaders spoke to the crowd of people who, in one way or another, had been impacted by this devastating tragedy. 

Many of the students who attended said they are still replaying the terrifying moments from earlier in the day in their heads. 

Still, the resounding message was one of hope but also honesty about how this has really just rocked the community. 

SEE ALSO: How to help Apalachee High School shooting victims

Gov. Kemp pledges full state resources

Gov. Brian Kemp had been receiving briefings regularly before joining law enforcement officials on the scene in Winder.

"This hit home for us, being from Athens, just down the road, Marty and I, having a daughter that taught for first grade just a few years ago. This is everybody's worst nightmare," Kemp said during the 9 p.m. press conference.  

Kemp addresses Apalachee High School shooting

During a second press briefing on the shooting at Apalachee High School, Gov. Brian Kemp appeared with law enforcement, thanking law enforcement, first responders, and school officials, and calling the deadly shooting "everyone's worst nightmare."

The governor reiterated his commitment to having all state resources needed to assist in the investigation for as long as necessary.

In a statement made to the social media platform X, he called for Georgians to join his family in prayer:

White House responds to school shooting

White house press briefing addresses apalachee high school shooting.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addresses the shooting at Apalachee High School.

The White House confirmed President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting by Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall. They say his administration is coordinating with federal, state, and local officials.

The White House also confirmed that prior to departing Joint Base Andrews, Vice President Harris was briefed on the tragic shooting. The vice president addressed the shooting at the top of her remarks at a brewery stop in New Hampshire, calling the shooting a "senseless tragedy on top of senseless tragedies." Harris went on to say, "it doesn't have to be this way."

RELATED: Reactions to shooting from White House, politicians etc.

Kamala Harris addresses Apalachee High School shooting

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the shooting at Apalachee High School during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. She called the Georgia school shooting a "senseless tragedy on top of senseless tragedies" and went on to say that "it doesn't have to be this way."

Trump comments on shooting

Former President Donald Trump issued a statement on the deadly shooting, saying "our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster."

FOX 5 has multiple crews gathering more details on this developing story. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email [email protected] .

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Race to the white house, amish girl brain-damaged in 2006 school shooting when she was only six years old dies 18 years later.

A young Pennsylvania woman who survived a 2006 mass shooting at her Amish school has died nearly 18 years after she was left permanently brain-damaged in the rampage.

Rosanna King, who was only 6 when she was injured, passed away at her family’s home in Paradise on Tuesday, according to her obituary . She was 23.

King was left unable to walk, talk, or feed herself when she was shot execution-style by gunman Charles Carl Roberts IV inside an Old Order Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines on Oct. 2, 2006.

Roberts, a non-Amish milk truck driver, took King and nine other girls ages 6 to 13 hostage inside the one-room schoolhouse, where he shot them and then killed himself as authorities closed in.

Two of the girls died at the scene, while the eight others – including King – were rushed to different medical centers, where three more were pronounced dead.

King’s family removed her from life support after two days. They brought her home to Paradise, where doctors did not expect her to survive.

King ultimately lived for nearly 18 years, but was unable to talk, walk, or feed herself, and had frequent seizures, Lancaster Online reported .

The Nickel Mines Amish community moved the entire nation when they publicly forgave and embraced the family of the gunman – with about 30 members of the community supporting Roberts’ widow at his funeral.

In the years after the shooting, King was visited every week by Charles Roberts’ mother, Terri Roberts, who read her the Bible and the “Anne of Green Gables” books.

Terri Roberts told Lancaster Online in 2016 that King was an “amazing young woman.”

“Her family is amazing in the measures that they go to make life as good as it can be for Rosanna,” Roberts said at the time.

King is survived by her parents and four siblings, as well as several extended family members.

Funeral services are set for Friday morning at the family’s home, the obituary read.

Rosanna King will be buried in the Bart Amish Cemetery in nearby Georgetown, where the other victims of the Nickel Mines shooting were also laid to rest.

Nearly Eighteen years after King and her peers were targeted, school shootings continue to be one of the most prevalent issues in US culture: One day after King died, a gunman opened fire and killed four people – two teachers and two students – at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.

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Book Reviews

'i just keep talking' is a refreshing and wide-ranging essay collection.

Martha Anne Toll

Nell Irvin Painter — author, scholar, historian, artist, raconteur — rocked my world with her The History of White People and endeared me with her memoir Old in Art School . Painter’s latest book, I Just Keep Talking is an insightful addition to her canon.

Painter’s professional accomplishments are stratospheric: a chair in the American History Department at Princeton, bestselling author of eight books along with others she’s edited, too many other publications to count, and an entirely separate career as a visual artist. She calls her latest book “A Life in Essays,” which I found reductive. Although the first group of essays is entitled “Autobiography,” this volume reaches far beyond Nell Painter’s own story in the best possible way.

AUTHOR INTERVIEWS

Author examines 'the history of white people'.

Painter’s The History of White People combines scholarship with readability to prove that “whiteness” is a relatively newly created sociological construct. Slavery has been around for millennia, as has war and conquering peoples, but whiteness, with its bizarre, insidious, and pervasive myths about racial superiority, dates from around the 15th century forward. The concept of whiteness is entangled with America’s mendacious justifications for its capture and trade in human beings, and the terrible, lasting consequences of chattel slavery.

Painter has been clear that she stands on the shoulders of others in naming whiteness as a construct. What makes The History of White People indispensable is that it collects the historical antecedents of whiteness in a compelling narrative, and calls out to readers, including myself, the need to unlearn whiteness as a norm, even — and especially — if it is an unconscious norm.

Author Interviews

'old in art school': an mfa inspires a memoir of age.

As Painter wound down from a full academic load at Princeton, she obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in fine art. In Old in Art School, as well as this current volume, she recounts the putdowns and hazing she suffered from fellow art students and her art professors, just as The History of White People was hitting the bestseller lists. Painter acknowledges that book’s commercial success but does not hide her bitterness that it did not win any major prizes.

Painter’s tour through her life and interests makes for a fascinating journey. To introduce her essay collection, Painter writes, “My Blackness isn’t broken… Mine is a Blackness of solidarity, a community, a connectedness….” She grew up in an intellectual family in the Bay Area amidst the burgeoning Black power movement. Her studies took her to Ghana and Paris, before completing her Ph.D. in U.S. history at Harvard.

Painter started making art at an early age. She threads that interest through the essays, wondering what would have happened if her professional life had started with art, instead of as a scholar.

Code Switch

Is beauty in the eyes of the colonizer.

Painter’s captivating mixed media illustrations in I Just Keep Talking speak to injustice. She combines words that blister — “same frustrations for 25 years” (a work from 2022), with blocks of color and figurative representations. I felt drawn in by these visual pieces with their trenchant messages. “This text + art is the way I work, the way I think,” she writes. In Painter’s hands, a picture can be worth a thousand words.

Painter’s essays pose critical questions. She will not accept received wisdom at face value, refuses the status quo, and freely offers her expert opinions. The pieces in this book address such wide topics as the meaning of history and historiography; America’s false, rose-colored-glasses-interpretation of slavery; the appalling absence of Black people from America’s story about itself; how and where feminism fits in; southern American history; the white gaze; and visual culture.

She takes a hard look at Thomas Jefferson’s hypocrisy concerning Black people and slavery, and compares his viewpoint to that of Charles Dickens, who toured the U.S. 15 years after Jefferson died. Audiences cooled to Dickens after he “excoriate[d] Americans for…tolerating the continued existence of enslavement by shrugging their shoulders, saying nothing can be done on account of ‘public opinion.’”

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Painter was onto Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas well before Professor Hill delivered her explosive testimony at his confirmation hearing. In a chapter called “Hill, Thomas, and the Use of Racial Stereotype,” Painter delivers a withering takedown of Thomas’ manipulation of gender stereotypes to advantage himself.

Painter dates her essays and provides extensive endnotes, but I wanted more information about which essays had been previously published and which, if any, derived from unpublished journal entries. I wondered particularly about the shorter, less annotated pieces, which I could imagine her writing to develop analyses for longer efforts (though only speculation on my part).

The variety in length and scholarly sophistication is refreshing in this collection. Each entry deals with topics that are sadly as relevant today as they have been throughout America’s history.

Please keep talking Nell Painter, and we’ll keep listening.

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Martha Anne Toll is a D.C.-based writer and reviewer. Her debut novel, Three Muses , won the Petrichor Prize for Finely Crafted Fiction and was shortlisted for the Gotham Book Prize. Her second novel, Duet for One , is due out May 2025.

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50 Engaging Narrative Essay Topics for High Schoolers

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What’s Covered:

Narrative essays vs. analytical essays, how to pick the right narrative essay topic, elements of a strong narrative essay, engaging narrative essay topics for high schoolers, where to get your narrative essay edited for free.

Narrative essays are an extensive form of writing that gives readers the opportunity to follow along as a person goes through a journey or sets of experiences. Rather than providing analytic insight, narrative essays simply share a story and offer a first-person account. These essays may seem easy to write at first, but it takes a certain finesse to write a narrative essay that is interesting, cohesive, and well-researched. Whether you’re looking for a unique topic to write about, or just want some new inspiration, CollegeVine is here to help! These 50 narrative essay topics are engaging, unique and will have you writing in no time.

A narrative essay is a great way to express your personal experiences and opinions, but it is important to remember that this type of essay is different from an analytical paper. In a narrative essay, you do not need to provide background information or explain your thoughts and feelings; instead, you simply tell a story. It’s important to avoid too much telling in your writing; instead, use creative details and vivid imagery to make readers feel as if they are actually right there with you.

Where You Will Encounter Narrative Essays

This type of essay is typically encountered in high school, where students may be required to write personal statements to prepare for their Common App essay . Narrative essays are also commonly seen in AP Language and Composition. Therefore, it’s important you are aware of the style because you are bound to have a narrative essay assignment.  

Of course, before you start writing, it is important to pick the right essay topic. There are many factors involved in the process of picking the perfect narrative essay topic for your story.

You should always choose a topic that you are passionate about, since writing on something you care about will make the process much easier. Not only will it be more interesting to create your paper around something that truly interests you, but it will also allow you to fully express yourself in your essay. You also want to be sure that the topic has enough material to work with. If your chosen topic is too short, you will not have enough content to write a complete paper. For example, if you are writing about your experience getting lost at the mall, make sure that you have enough information to work with to craft an engaging narrative. 

The best topic for an engaging narrative essay is one that focuses on showing versus telling, has a clear structure, and provides a dialogue. These elements come together to form an engaging narrative essay. Regardless of what subject you pick, any topic may be turned into a fascinating, A+ worthy narrative using the tips below.

Show, Don’t Tell

To write a good narrative essay, it’s important to show, not tell. Instead of simply informing your audience, show them what you mean. For example, instead of saying “I was nervous,” you could say “My heart began to race and my stomach filled with butterflies.” Also make sure to use sensory details, such as sights, sounds and tastes, and include a personal reflection at the end of your narrative. 

Begin with a Strong Opening Line

A good narrative essay will begin with an attention-grabbing opening line. But make sure to avoid common clichés, such as “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Instead, come up with something original and specific to you and your situation. For example: “My pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles. I mean, he even used circular note cards.” Or, “It all started the day my mom brought home a guinea pig.”

Follows a Three-Act Structure

A strong narrative essay follows the same three-act structure as other essays. But in order to make it interesting, you’ll need to come up with a creative way to break things down into sections. For example, using the guinea pig example from above, you could write the following:

• Act 1 – Introduction: The day my mom brought home a guinea pig.
• Act 2 – Conflict: The day I had to say goodbye to my beloved pet.
• Act 3 – Conclusion: Looking back at how much I miss him now that he’s gone.

Conclude with Personal Reflection

To conclude your narrative essay, you’ll want to explain what this specific experience taught you or how you’ve changed. For example, upon realizing that her pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles, the writer of the previous example begins to notice circular shapes everywhere. Another way to conclude your narrative essay is by touching on how this experience impacted you emotionally. For example, after losing his guinea pig, the writer explains how much he missed it.

Use Dialogue

Include a conversation in your essay to make it come alive. For example, instead of simply saying that you met a new friend, talk about how you introduced yourselves or what they were wearing when you met them.

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The following list of 50 narrative essay topics is divided into categories. This will make it easier to find a topic that fits your writing style.

1. What is a childhood song that still sticks with you today?

2. Your first day of Kindergarten

3. Talk about a time when you’re siblings looked up to you

4. Describe the best birthday party you’ve ever had

5. Talk about the best day you ever spent with a childhood friend

6. Explain your first childhood hobby

7. Describe your first halloween costume

8. A family vacation gone wrong

9. Your first family reunion

10. Describe a tradition that is unique to your family

11. Describe your family to a person who’s never met them before

12. What frustrates you most about your family

13. If you could only keep one memory of your family, what would it be and why?

14. Describe a time your family embarrassed you in public

15. The most beautiful place in the world

16. Your favorite season and why

17. If you were a part of nature, what element would you be? Why?

18. When you go outside, which of your senses are you most thankful to have?

19. Describe the first time you witnessed a tornado 

20. Write a poem about your favorite season

21. Describe yourself as one of the four seasons

22. Describe a time in which you felt connected with nature

23. Describe the first time you played an instrument and how you felt

24. What major event would be much worse if music was removed, and why?

25. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

26. What would a life without music look like?

27. If you could master one instrument, what would it be and why?

Relationships

28. What if you had never met your best friend?

29. Describe a time when you fixed a broken relationship

30. Talk about a movie that defined a relationship for you

31. Describe your first date

32. Describe the first time you made a friend

33. Describe your relationship with your parents

Self Reflection

34. Have you ever fooled someone? If so, describe what happened and how you felt about it

35. What is the worst thing you’ve done to someone else?

36. Write about the difference between how things seem and how they really are. 

37. Have you ever been embarrassed in some way? If so, describe the situation and how it affected you as well as those around you

38. Have you ever witnessed something really beautiful? Describe it

39. Is your glass half empty or half full?

Overcoming Adversity 

40. Have you ever been very afraid of something but tried your hardest to appear fearless? If so, describe that experience

41. When have you ever succeeded when you thought you might fail

42. What are your secret survival strategies?

43. Describe the last time you were stressed and why?

44. Describe a time when you were discriminated against

45. The most memorable class you’ve had and why

46. Your favorite study abroad memory

47. Describe your kindergarten classroom

48. Describe your first teacher

49. The first time you experienced detention

50. Your first field trip

Hopefully these topics will get you thinking about a personal experience that could make for a thoughtful and engaging narrative essay. Remember, a strong narrative essay must contain relatable details and a clear flow that keeps the reader entertained and engaged to read all the way to the end.

If you need some additional guidance on your narrative essay, use CollegeVine’s free peer review essay tool to get feedback for free!

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How to Make New Friends at School

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger . Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 658,480 times.

If you’re new to a school or you have a tendency to be shy and introverted or tend to not get out of your comfort zone, making new friends at school might seem like a challenge. Luckily, you can overcome that challenge by looking for people with the same interests as you and by being friendly when you meet new people. Also, participate in extracurricular clubs and events whenever you get the chance, since that will help you meet people outside of class!

Identifying Potential Friends

• If you love to draw, for instance, you could register for an art class, attend art shows, or look for people who are doodling during math class.
• If you’re a passionate reader, join a book club, go to public readings, or strike up a conversation with someone who carries novels around with their textbooks.
• Ask your favorite teachers if they can recommend any academic clubs for you to join! These can include debate teams, clubs for entrepreneurs, or a math quiz team.

• When you’re around someone, you should feel comfortable acting like yourself around them. A friend should never make you feel bad for being who you are.
• You may be interested in befriending some of the most popular people in school, but if they are disrespectful to you or to others, they probably won’t be a true friend.
• You should feel like the other person supports and respects you.

• For instance, you could have your friends start meeting once a week at a local pizza place after school. Each week, encourage your friends to invite as many of their mutual friends as they want. By making it a regular occurrence, you can build new friendships gradually.
• You could also attend group events like flag football games or even study groups to meet new people.

Social Tip: Remember, there’s room for your friends to like other people and still like you! Don’t get jealous if you’re not the center of attention when there are other people around. Instead, take the opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone you’ve never talked to before.

• It might sound crazy, but if you’re trying to make new friends, give this a try the next time you see groups of people chatting in the hall, at a party, or at a social event.

• You don’t have to be great at sports to play intramurals. Intramurals could be anything from soccer and flag football to frisbee, golf, and dodgeball. Mostly, they’re designed to be a great way to have a good time, get some exercise, and gain a whole new team of friends.

• Afterschool social events might include school dances, movie nights, mixers, and plays.
• If you attend sporting events, not only will you build a bond with the other students cheering on the team, but the athletes may appreciate the fact that you came out to support them, especially if it’s a team that doesn’t draw a huge crowd.
• It can sometimes help to invite someone else to go with you to an event like this, since sitting by yourself can be lonely. Just pick someone you’d like to get to know better and say something like, “Hey, Stephen, I was thinking of the baseball game tonight, do you want to go with me?” Even if they can’t go to that particular event, they’ll remember that you asked them, and they’ll be more likely to consider you as a friend.

• Talking to other people during the day doesn’t have to involve long conversations with someone you don’t know well. It could be as simple as saying something like, “How are you today?” when you’re standing near someone at your locker, or “Hey, I liked your presentation!” after someone does a good job giving a speech in class.
• If you feel stuck in a routine that keeps you from interacting with people, try changing things up. For instance, you could try taking a new hall to get to class, which will give you a chance to interact with people you might not see otherwise.

• If you are wearing headphones when you are walking around, it can give off the impression that you don’t want to talk to anyone. Leave them out if you want to focus on making new friends.
• Don’t spend so much time following celebs on Insta that you forget to participate in your own life!

Striking up a Friendship

• If there is music playing, for instance, try saying something like, “I love this song, don’t you? I’m Jessica!”
• At lunch, choose something off your lunch plate that is tasty and mention to someone at your table how great of a job the cafeteria did today.

Tip: You’ll make a better impression if you keep your comments positive.

• This comes in handy in situations like sitting with a new group at lunch or being surrounded by others at a sporting event.
• Consider asking a question of the entire group rather than just one person. For instance, if the group is talking about an upcoming dance, you could say something like, “I think they should hire a DJ for the next dance. Wouldn’t that be awesome?”

• If you see someone who is wearing a T-shirt featuring your favorite band, you could say something like, “Hey, awesome shirt! I saw them in concert last summer!”

• For instance, if you started off by talking about a song that’s playing, you might say something like, “What other bands do you like, to listen to?”
• You could also say something like, “I haven’t gone to school here very long. What are the best clubs to join?”

• Text the person when you want to invite them to do something, or to check in with them to see how they did on their test or if they won a game. However, avoid texting more than once every few days, especially when you’re just getting to know the person.
• Call them when you want to reach out on a more personal level. Texting is more casual, but a phone call is nice for a special occasion like the person’s birthday, or if you want to check on the person because they have missed several days of school. [13] X Trustworthy Source Pew Research Center Nonpartisan thinktank conducting research and providing information on public opinion, demographic trends, and social trends Go to source

• For instance, if you are both into the arts, maybe there is a gallery, museum, play, or band you could go see.
• Invite your new friend to a movie you both want to see. If there is something you really want to see, ask if they would like to go with you. If you have time, plan to spend time together after the movie so you have a chance to talk about it. Coffee shops are a great place to sit and chat about the movie and anything else it made you think of.

Being Friendly

• You only have to smile for a second or 2 when you meet someone’s eyes. Smiling at them for too long without saying anything might seem a little odd.

• Other ways to have open body language include keeping your head up and making eye contact with people when you’re talking to them.
• You may also want to consider wearing brighter colored clothing. Not only will it make you seem more approachable, but it could actually affect your mood and make you happier. [16] X Research source

• Always treat other people the way you want them to treat you. Practicing the golden rule is key to cultivating a compassionate, long-lasting friendship.
• Encourage the other person. Let them know that you believe in them and support their achievements in their school work and their life goals. [18] X Research source

• For instance, if you text someone and they only text back a one-word answer, they might be busy or in a bad mood. Try to talk to them again in a few days and see if they’re more receptive to chatting.

• Chances are, the other person will really appreciate that you took the time to talk to them.

Understanding What’s Stopping You

• For instance, even if you have a big test coming up, pick a day of the week to set your books aside and play video games with a friend. Then, study all of the other days. Not only will this build your friendship, but taking time to relax might even help you on your test!

• Consider that the other person may be having a hard time right now and is not open to being friendly at the moment. [20] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
• Understand that the rejection may have more to do with who the other person is than it has to do with you. [21] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source

• Other people are usually just as concerned about themselves as you are. They probably aren’t thinking about you and judging you as much as you think, because they are preoccupied with themselves. [23] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
• Don’t focus on perfection. You don’t have to be perfect to be a good friend. [24] X Research source
• Focus on your personal achievements instead of comparing yourself to others. [25] X Research source

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Never go all-out with a possible friend. This may scare them away, and might make them less open to being your friend. Thanks Helpful 35 Not Helpful 6
• Don’t worry if a friendship doesn’t happen all at once. It takes time to strengthen a good friendship. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 6
• Never lie to someone else, as it will destroy your friendship. Thanks Helpful 34 Not Helpful 8

• Do not spread gossip about other people behind their back. Thanks Helpful 102 Not Helpful 6

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/3061094/six-habits-of-people-who-make-friends-easily
• ↑ http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/how-to-make-friends.htm
• ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/fashion/the-etiquette-for-having-your-friends-befriend-each-other.html
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201305/look-peoples-feet-make-friends
• ↑ https://www.healthyplace.com/relationships/healthy-relationships/how-to-open-up-and-reveal-yourself-to-others
• ↑ http://mediashift.org/2007/10/how-cell-phones-are-killing-face-to-face-interactions295/
• ↑ http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/overcoming-loneliness-and-shyness.htm
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200403/the-art-the-compliment
• ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/social-briefing-8-better-conversations-asking-open-ended-questions/
• ↑ http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/09/19/americans-and-text-messaging/
• ↑ http://inspiyr.com/9-benefits-of-smiling/
• ↑ http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14466/1/How-to-Look-Approachable.html
• ↑ http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/colors-and-mood-how-the-colors-you-wear-affect-you/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201002/what-makes-true-friend
• ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jordan-dansky/are-you-making-time-for-y_b_5939624.html
• ↑ http://www.simplypsychology.org/self-esteem.html
• ↑ https://www.positivityblog.com/improve-self-esteem

About This Article

It can be really hard to make new friends at school, but you’ll have a better chance if you can find other people who like the same things you do. For instance, you could join a club or a group based on your favorite hobby. Also, pay attention to people who spend their free time doing the same things you love to do. If you love to draw, for instance, and you see someone else drawing on their lunch break, you could sit next to them and strike up a conversation about the type of colored pencils they’re using. Keep reading for tips on how to use open-ended questions to keep a conversation going! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!)

Ideas to inspire every young writer!

High school students generally do a lot of writing, learning to use language clearly, concisely, and persuasively. When it’s time to choose an essay topic, though, it’s easy to come up blank. If that’s the case, check out this huge round-up of essay topics for high school. You’ll find choices for every subject and writing style.

• Argumentative Essay Topics
• Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics
• Compare-Contrast Essay Topics
• Descriptive Essay Topics
• Expository and Informative Essay Topics
• Humorous Essay Topics

Literary Essay Topics

• Narrative and Personal Essay Topics
• Personal Essay Topics
• Persuasive Essay Topics

Research Essay Topics

Argumentative essay topics for high school.

When writing an argumentative essay, remember to do the research and lay out the facts clearly. Your goal is not necessarily to persuade someone to agree with you, but to encourage your reader to accept your point of view as valid. Here are some possible argumentative topics to try. ( Here are 100 more compelling argumentative essay topics. )

• The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
• The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
• All drugs should be legalized, regulated, and taxed.
• Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
• The best country in the world is …
• Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.
• Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
• Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?

WeAreTeachers

• Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
• Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
• Does social media do more harm than good?
• Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
• What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?
• Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
• Are men and women treated equally?

Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics for High School

A cause-and-effect essay is a type of argumentative essay. Your goal is to show how one specific thing directly influences another specific thing. You’ll likely need to do some research to make your point. Here are some ideas for cause-and-effect essays. ( Get a big list of 100 cause-and-effect essay topics here. )

• Humans are causing accelerated climate change.
• Fast-food restaurants have made human health worse over the decades.
• What caused World War II? (Choose any conflict for this one.)
• Describe the effects social media has on young adults.

• How does playing sports affect people?
• What are the effects of loving to read?
• Being an only/oldest/youngest/middle child makes you …
• What effect does violence in movies or video games have on kids?
• Traveling to new places opens people’s minds to new ideas.
• Racism is caused by …

Compare-Contrast Essay Topics for High School

As the name indicates, in compare-and-contrast essays, writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here. )

• Public and private schools
• Capitalism vs. communism
• Monarchy or democracy
• Dogs vs. cats as pets

• Paper books or e-books
• Two political candidates in a current race
• Going to college vs. starting work full-time
• Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
• iPhone or Android
• Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School

Bring on the adjectives! Descriptive writing is all about creating a rich picture for the reader. Take readers on a journey to far-off places, help them understand an experience, or introduce them to a new person. Remember: Show, don’t tell. These topics make excellent descriptive essays.

• Who is the funniest person you know?
• What is your happiest memory?
• Tell about the most inspirational person in your life.
• Write about your favorite place.
• When you were little, what was your favorite thing to do?
• Choose a piece of art or music and explain how it makes you feel.
• What is your earliest memory?

• What’s the best/worst vacation you’ve ever taken?
• Describe your favorite pet.
• What is the most important item in the world to you?
• Give a tour of your bedroom (or another favorite room in your home).
• Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.
• Lay out your perfect day from start to finish.
• Explain what it’s like to move to a new town or start a new school.
• Tell what it would be like to live on the moon.

Expository and Informative Essay Topics for High School

Expository essays set out clear explanations of a particular topic. You might be defining a word or phrase or explaining how something works. Expository or informative essays are based on facts, and while you might explore different points of view, you won’t necessarily say which one is “better” or “right.” Remember: Expository essays educate the reader. Here are some expository and informative essay topics to explore. ( See 70+ expository and informative essay topics here. )

• What makes a good leader?
• Explain why a given school subject (math, history, science, etc.) is important for students to learn.
• What is the “glass ceiling” and how does it affect society?
• Describe how the internet changed the world.
• What does it mean to be a good teacher?

• Explain how we could colonize the moon or another planet.
• Discuss why mental health is just as important as physical health.
• Describe a healthy lifestyle for a teenager.
• Choose an American president and explain how their time in office affected the country.
• What does “financial responsibility” mean?

Humorous Essay Topics for High School

Humorous essays can take on any form, like narrative, persuasive, or expository. You might employ sarcasm or satire, or simply tell a story about a funny person or event. Even though these essay topics are lighthearted, they still take some skill to tackle well. Give these ideas a try.

• What would happen if cats (or any other animal) ruled the world?
• What do newborn babies wish their parents knew?
• Explain the best ways to be annoying on social media.
• Invent a wacky new sport, explain the rules, and describe a game or match.

• Imagine a discussion between two historic figures from very different times, like Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I.
• Retell a familiar story in tweets or other social media posts.
• Describe present-day Earth from an alien’s point of view.
• Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
• Describe a day when kids are in charge of everything, at school and at home.

Literary essays analyze a piece of writing, like a book or a play. In high school, students usually write literary essays about the works they study in class. These literary essay topic ideas focus on books students often read in high school, but many of them can be tweaked to fit other works as well.

• Discuss the portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello .
• Explore the symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter .
• Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men .
• Compare and contrast the romantic relationships in Pride and Prejudice .

• Dissect the allegory of Animal Farm and its relation to contemporary events.
• Interpret the author’s take on society and class structure in The Great Gatsby .
• Explore the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia.
• Discuss whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of young love in Romeo and Juliet is accurate.
• Explain the imagery used in Beowulf .

Narrative and Personal Essay Topics for High School

Think of a narrative essay like telling a story. Use some of the same techniques that you would for a descriptive essay, but be sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative essay doesn’t necessarily need to be personal, but they often are. Take inspiration from these narrative and personal essay topics.

• Describe a performance or sporting event you took part in.
• Explain the process of cooking and eating your favorite meal.
• Write about meeting your best friend for the first time and how your relationship developed.
• Tell about learning to ride a bike or drive a car.
• Describe a time in your life when you’ve been scared.

• Share the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.
• Tell about a time when you overcame a big challenge.
• Tell the story of how you learned an important life lesson.
• Describe a time when you or someone you know experienced prejudice or oppression.
• Explain a family tradition, how it developed, and its importance today.
• What is your favorite holiday? How does your family celebrate it?
• Retell a familiar story from the point of view of a different character.
• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
• Tell about your proudest moment.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience, so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try these topics to persuade someone to come around to your point of view. ( Discover 60 more intriguing persuasive essay topics here. )

• Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
• Everyone should be vegetarian or vegan.
• What animal makes the best pet?
• Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
• Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
• Should little kids be allowed to play competitive sports?
• Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
• The best music genre is …

• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Is capitalism the best form of economy?
• Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
• Should schools have dress codes?
• If I could change one school rule, it would be …
• Is year-round school a good idea?

A research essay is a classic high school assignment. These papers require deep research into primary source documents, with lots of supporting facts and evidence that’s properly cited. Research essays can be in any of the styles shown above. Here are some possible topics, across a variety of subjects.

• Which country’s style of government is best for the people who live there?
• Choose a country and analyze its development from founding to present day.
• Describe the causes and effects of a specific war.
• Formulate an ideal economic plan for our country.
• What scientific discovery has had the biggest impact on life today?

• Analyze the way mental health is viewed and treated in this country.
• Explore the ways systemic racism impacts people in all walks of life.
• Defend the importance of teaching music and the arts in public schools.
• Choose one animal from the endangered species list, and propose a realistic plan to protect it.

What are some of your favorite essay topics for high school? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the ultimate guide to student writing contests .

We Are Teachers

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The Benefits of Attending a Girls' School

3 Reasons to Consider a Girls' School

Getty Images / Klaus Vedfelt

• Choosing a Private School
• For Parents & Educators
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• College Admissions
• College Life
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• B.A., Classics, McGill University

Not every student can excel in a coeducational classroom, and that's why many students opt for single-sex schools. When it comes to girls, in particular, these important developmental years can be greatly enhanced by attending the right school. So, what are the benefits of attending a girls' school? Why should your daughter attend a girls' school instead of a coed school?

Girls Schools Empower Students to Excel

Many girls cannot achieve their full potential in a coeducational school. With the impact of peer pressure and the perceived need to conform to popular opinion and thinking, including the desire to be accepted, can all impact girls. These are just some of the reasons which make many girls suppress their own personalities and individuality in a coed academic setting. Left to their own devices in a single-sex environment, girls are often more likely to take on challenging math and science subjects and engage wholeheartedly in serious sports - all things girls aren't supposed to like.

Competition is a Good Thing

Girls will ignore gender stereotypes and develop their competitive side more fully in a single-sex academic setting . There are no boys to impress, no boys to compete for between other girls. They don't have to worry about being called tomboys. Their peers understand what's happening. Everybody feels comfortable being themselves.

Laying Foundations for Leadership

Women have made significant advances in the leadership arena. H ilary Clinton ran for the office of President of the United States. Clinton, Madeleine Albright , and Condoleezza Rice have been Secretary of State. Golda Meir was Premier of Israel. Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister of England and so on. Carleton Fiorina was CEO of Hewlett-Packard. These excellent achievements notwithstanding, women still find it difficult rising to senior positions in any endeavor. Why? Because girls lack inspiring role models and appealing presentation of critical subjects like math, technology and science which give men the competitive edge in their career paths. Skilled teachers who understand girls and the way they learn can kindle a girl's interest in non-traditional subjects. They can encourage a young lady to dream outside of the box and want a career as a captain of industry as opposed to just being a teacher or a nurse.

Girls at Single-Sex Schools are More Likely to Excel at Athletics

It's true, and there's  research  to support this finding. Middle school girls are more likely to engage in competitive athletics than their peers at coed schools. A single-sex environment often feels empowering to students, especially girls, and encourages them to try new things. When boys aren't around, girls are more likely to take a risk and try something new. 

Girls Schools are Inspirational Learning and Living Environments

Until you've actually spent time at an all-girls school, it's hard to fully appreciate the environment of encouragement and inspiration that is created. When a school is limited to only educating girls, the pedagogy changes, and the science behind how a female brain works and how girls grow and mature all become part of the core educational paths set forth for students. Students report feeling more free to speak and express themselves, which leads to a stronger development of a love of learning. 

Girls Schools may Offer More Opportunities to Succeed

According to the National Coalition of Girls Schools , nearly 80% of girls school students report feeling challenged to the point of achieving their full potential, and more than 80% of graduates from all-girls schools report that they consider their academic performance as highly successful. Students enrolled in these single-sex environments also report having more confidence than their peers at coeducational institutions. Some even report that their college professors can spot an all-girls school graduate.

An all-girls' school can help your daughter be all she can be simply by encouraging and nurturing her. Everything is possible. Nothing is off limits.

• Find Girls' Schools here.
• The National Association For Single Sex Public Education enriches the debate with some compelling research.
• The Bromley Brook School for Girls makes a great case in its Philosophy article.

Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — First Day of School — My First Day in the New School

My First Day in The New School

• Categories: A Day to Remember First Day of School Personal Experience

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Published: Jun 5, 2019

Words: 961 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

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Essay on Girl Education for Students and Children

500+ words essay on girl education.

If we look at the demographics, India is one of the most populated countries. However, the rate of girl education is quite low in the country. It is quite troubling to see the figures in a country where women are given the status of goddesses. The figures have significantly improved to an extent but there’s still a long way to go.

Women were not allowed to even step out of their houses in ancient India , but times are changing. Along with changing times, people’s thinking is also changing. They wish to educate their girls and see them succeed in life. However, this is not the case in rural India which makes for more than 60% of the population. We need to identify the factors responsible for such low rates of girl education to find some solutions.

Factors Contributing to Low Rate of Girl Education

There are various factors that make it impossible for girls to get an education in our country. Firstly, the poverty rate is alarming. Even though education is being made free, it still involves a substantial cost to send girls to school. Therefore, families who are struggling to make ends meet fail to pay the educational expenses of their children.

Secondly, in rural areas, there aren’t many schools. This creates a distance problem as they are located far from the villages. In some areas, students have to walk for three to four hours to reach their school. This is where the safety of the girls gets compromised so parents don’t see it fit to send them off so far.

Furthermore, the regressive thinking of the people makes it tougher for girls to get an education. Some people still believe girls are meant to stay in their houses and look after the kitchen. They do not like women to do any other tasks expect for household ones.

Other than that, social issues like child marriage and child labor also stop the girl from getting an education. Parents pull daughters out of school to marry them off at an early age. Also, when girls indulge in child labor, they do not get time to study.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Benefits of Girl Education

If we wish to see India progress and develop, we need to educate our girl child. They are indeed the future of our nation. Moreover, when they become educated, they will not have to be dependent on others for their livelihood.

One of the most important benefits of girl education is that the country’s future will be brighter and better. Similarly, our economy can grow faster if more and more women become financially strong thereby reducing poverty.

Furthermore, women who are educated can take proper care of their children. This will strengthen the future as lesser kids will die due to a lack of vaccination or a similar reason. Even for women, they will be less likely to become a patient of HIV/AIDS as they will be aware of the consequences.

Most importantly, educated women can result in a decrease in social issues like corruption, child marriage , domestic abuse and more. They will become more confident and handle their families better in all spheres. Thus we see how one educated woman can bring so much change in her life along with the others as well.

Some FAQs on Girl Education

Q.1 Why is girl education not encouraged in India?

A.1 India is still a developing country. It has too much poverty and regressive thinking. It is one of the main reasons why people don’t encourage girls to get an education.

Q.2 What are the advantages of educating girls?

A.2 When we educate girls, we educate a whole nation. As she teaches everyone around her. The education of girls will result in a better economy and a brighter future along with enhanced confidence of the girl.

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NEWS ALERT: US announces charges against former Trump 2016 campaign adviser Dimitri Simes over work for sanctioned Russian media

DC jury returns guilty verdicts for two gang members in 2018 murder of 10-year-old girl

Ciara Wells | [email protected]

September 3, 2024, 6:57 PM

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Two gang members involved in the 2018 death of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson were found guilty on murder charges in a D.C. Superior Court on Tuesday.

A jury found Mark Price, 30, and Antonio Murchison, 31, guilty of first-degree murder while armed among other charges, according to officials. The two men were part of the “Wellington Park Crew,” a gang based in Southeast D.C., that opened fire on the apartment complex Wilson lived in with her family.

The jury also found Quanisha Ramsuer, 31, guilty of obstruction of justice in connection to the case. Ramsuer knew the shooters and interacted with them minutes before the shooting, but refused to identify the men to authorities.

“Despite the obvious familiarity, Ramsuer steadfastly refused to identify the individuals with whom she was interacting in the video, resulting in the charge of obstruction of justice,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. wrote in a news release .

Sentencing hearings for the three are scheduled for Dec. 13.

On Monday, July 16, 2018, the suspects indiscriminately fired toward a crowd of people at a Northeast D.C. apartment courtyard, prosecutors said, striking and killing Wilson near the front stoop of her home and wounding four adults, including her older sister. Authorities said the shooting was the result of a running feud between rival street gangs, and had escalated over social media posts.

Price, who was the driver in the case, stopped the car in the Clay Terrace neighborhood so three other men who were armed, including Murchison, could exit the vehicle. They began to open fire into the courtyard, spraying over 50 bullets in under a minute.

In court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Merikas described the harrowing moments when the four masked gunmen jumped out — one armed with an assault rifle — and began “pummeling that court with gunfire.”

In total, nine people have been charged or found guilty  in the case: Mark Price, Antonio Murchison, Isaiah Murchison, Marquell Cobbs, Darrise Jeffers, Quentin Michals, Gregory Taylor and Qujuan Thomas.

Wilson’s mother, Donnetta Wilson, testified in court last year on the first day of the murder and gang conspiracy trial: “Makiyah was an angel.”

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here .

© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Ciara Wells is the Evening Digital Editor at WTOP. She is a graduate of American University where she studied journalism and Spanish. Before joining WTOP, she was the opinion team editor at a student publication and a content specialist at an HBCU in Detroit.

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NHCS high school students eligible for racial justice essay contest

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The New Hanover County Community Remembrance Project is sponsoring the second essay contest for all 9th-12th grade public high school students in New Hanover County.

The project is being sponsored in conjunction with the Equal Justice Initiative, based in Montgomery, Alabama.

“We conducted a successful essay contest in the 2022-23 school year, in which 8 students from 6 different public high schools in New Hanover won $6000! At least $5,000 prize money will be awarded this year to the winner(s) of this contest. We would like you to make your students aware of this contest. The contest launches September 1, and the final date for entry of an essay is December 15, 2024,” New Hanover County Community Remembrance Project wrote in a press release.

More information about the contest can be found here .

Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.

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How to Conquer the Admissions Essay

By Rachel Toor

• Aug. 2, 2017

Picture this before you plop yourself down in front of your computer to compose your college application essay: A winter-lit room is crammed with admissions professionals and harried faculty members who sit around a big table covered with files. The admissions people, often young and underpaid, buzz with enthusiasm; the professors frequently pause to take off their glasses and rub their eyes.

These exhausted folks, hopped up from eating too many cookies and brownies, have been sitting in committee meetings for days after spending a couple of months reading applications, most of which look pretty similar: baseball = life, or debate = life, or “I went to a developing country and discovered poor people can be happy.”

They wade through long lists of candidates, state by state, region by region. The best applications and the weakest don’t come to committee. It’s the gigantic stack in the middle that warrants discussion.

The truth is, most essays are typical. Many are boring. Some are just plain bad. But occasionally one will make an admissions officer tear down the hallway to find a colleague to whom she can say, “You have to read what this Math Olympiad girl said about ‘Hamlet.’ ” Your goal is to write an essay that makes someone fall in love with you.

Once you commit the time and emotional energy to get your butt in the chair to write, you face a daunting task — figuring out what to write about. If you’re stuck, you’re in good company. With so much freedom, this is a challenge for most students.

Here’s a tip: Choose a topic you really want to write about. If the subject doesn’t matter to you, it won’t matter to the reader. Write about whatever keeps you up at night. That might be cars, or coffee. It might be your favorite book or the Pythagorean theorem. It might be why you don’t believe in evolution or how you think kale must have hired a PR firm to get people to eat it.

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