“First impressions aren’t always the right ones,” wrote Anessa Amin in the fall of 2015 about the incoming class of 3rd formers, the then class of 2018. This “letter to the third form” was one steeped in annoyance about the blatant lack of disrespect running amuck on Hill’s campus at the time. The letter says much to the tune of 3rd formers needing to keep their heads down, obey the rules, wear the ugly skirts, and quit sitting at the high tables – essentially, “know thy place.”

  Having been a 3rd former the year the class of 2018 graduated, I was stricken at the thought of some of my older peers publicly embarrassing me and my fellow classmates as Amin did in 2015. Acting what I now know was pretty irrationally, I made sure that my classmates and I were aware of this letter and acted in a way that wouldn’t have history repeating itself. I dutifully respected every 6th former I came in contact with and, as a good 3rd former, knew my place and knew it well. 

As a 6th former now, though, metaphorically looking down upon the new incoming class of 2024 and 2023, I finally realize where Amin was coming from. Yes, it is incredibly annoying when an underformer cuts the line in the Dining Hall, and yes, it is my opinion that 3rd formers should not be allowed to have UE booms on campus. But, all of that being said, my class doesn’t need to write a letter about these two classes and their tendency to be, well, 3rd and 4th formers. That is just who they are right now, and while their youthfulness should be encouraged, not rejected, it should not be an excuse for disrespect of the upperclassmen, faculty members, or school rules.

The class of 2021 should lead by example in this weird, but very real, school year. Despite the fact that the idea of COVID-19 intrudes upon most conversations around campus, this is not- and should not- be the only topic of discussion. Ideals that the Hill and its community hold dear – like respect, obedience and class – should still be at the forefront of all student’s minds – including the 6th form. Just because this year is the “COVID-19 year” by no means means that a 3rd former should be allowed to talk back to a prefect. Just because this year has placed health at the forefront of our minds does not mean that it is okay to break the dress code because it has been deemed “not as important.”

This doesn’t only go for the class of 2024, though, but rather our community as a whole. We need to do better, and as a community, we need to respect one another and our places on this hallowed ground more. On this campus, everyone is entitled to respect, but the 6th form has been here long enough to earn it, too, and a pandemic should not change that.