High school is a foreboding prospect for many eighth graders. After listening to all the horror stories ninth-grade friends told about their teachers, the idea of high school can be a little scary. When I got my schedule, I was horrified to find that I had been been placed in a drama class instead of my favorite class: chorus. I settled down and resigned myself to another school year when my friend told me I should at least ask to have the subject I wanted. What a concept!

Tentatively, I wrote to my advisor, who told me to e-mail the head of the arts department. Fearing for my academic future (and possibly my life), I wrote to the big head honcho of the arts department, and I survived. She wrote me back in a very nice way, but said she couldn't help me either. Instead, I was directed to the great and wonderful creator of schedules-- a benevolent fairy who dances about in our dreams, giving us four free periods a day and all the ideal classes and teachers we could imagine. (Ok, so maybe I'm the only one who dreams of school.)

This powerful woman was the one who could make all my scheduling dreams come true. I had to present my case in a clear, concise and convincing way. Should I go for the "I can't live without it?" argument? Maybe "I am a passionate young singer; you can make my dreams come true," would be more convincing? After not hearing back from her for a while, she finally e-mailed me to say she agreed! She changed my schedule!

The moral of this epic journey is don't be frightened by the tales you hear about your teachers. Let them make their own first impressions.

Besides, no matter what those ninth graders say, teachers aren't allowed to eat you.