As sophomores turn sixteen, they get their licenses and more freedom in their lives. New drivers are excited to see their friends more often, but with that comes more responsibility and privilege that they didn’t previously have.
High school years are a highlight of many students’ lives. Students are involved with friends, sports, and activities outside of school. The freedom of having your license has changed a big part of teenagers’ lives. “Instead of having to ask for rides from my parents or my siblings, I can just drive myself…I can drive on my own and just go anywhere anytime I want,” sophomore Bridget Knopick said.
Instead of having to ask for rides from my parents or my siblings, I can just drive myself…I can drive on my own and just go anywhere anytime I want.”
— Bridget Knopick
Many sophomores enjoy the new sense of freedom that driving gives them. As drivers don’t have to ask for rides they are given that extra feeling of responsibility. “It gives me a lot more independence because I can go to a lot more places…it is a lot more of a responsibility because it’s just another big thing to take care of,” Knopick said.
As it’s the beginning of the year, not many students have their licenses, so the ones that do are often driving around with their friends. As the year progresses, more students will be getting their licenses. For now, however, a limited number of people have them. “I drive my friends around a lot. I’m one of the only ones who has my license… so it’s fun to drive around and do fun things,” sophomore Mollie Mathwig said.
When people think of a sixteenth birthday, they think of the infamous driver’s test. There are many places you can take the test, varying between closed and open courses and which location you take it at. Each has its challenges and leeways. “I took my driver’s test in Foley Minnesota…it was not hard to pass because I even messed up a couple of times and they passed me anyway,” Knopick said.
One of the benefits of driving is that students are able to get to places on their own and form a habit of time management. As students have schoolwork every night and are juggling various activities, time management is a key skill to have. “I need to know my timing and know when I need to leave to get to the place on time,” sophomore Sammy Gearen said.