Advice For Our Freshmen!

Freshman year is one of the most crucial years in a student’s life and sometimes is the breaking point on whether or not a student will drop out. I’m sure many of us remember our freshman year, often being known as the babies of high school. I know I was especially scared of the bullying that I had seen so much of in movies like “Mean Girls,” “Heathers,” and “A Cinderella Story,” but high schools are not really like that. Though freshman year is a hard transition from middle school to high school, there are tips and tricks to help with this journey.

I felt the advice would be best if it were given to us by our fellow students. After surveying groups of sophomores, juniors, and seniors in our school, some of the responses were a bit humorous. There were several responses like, “Don’t start a food fight; you’ll regret it,” and “Don’t walk slowly in the hallways.” 

Despite the comedic tone of some responses, a myriad of students advised to not procrastinate. They explained how it was pointless and the work you put off would build up in time. 

“The advice I have for the freshmen is to enjoy your four years here because it goes by quickly. Don’t procrastinate doing your school work, expand your mind to new classes and don’t be shy or scared to talk to new people,” said sophomore Arianna Auber.

One of the many pressures of being a freshman is the increasing amount of work you get compared to when you were in middle school. Though procrastination is easy, it is also one of the biggest regrets of the upperclassmen who were surveyed.

I also asked the question, “In your opinion, is freshman year the hardest?” Many believed that it was hard because of all the new people and new routines, which is where many teenagers get stuck. 

According to a report put out by UCLA’s Department of Psychology,” so many high school freshmen find the transition so overwhelming that they end up repeating ninth grade, or dropping out altogether.” 

Freshmen need to know there is help. There are upperclassmen who wouldn’t mind guiding students through this transition; there are also some pretty cool teachers and guidance counselors, too. 

“Always remain respectful, persistent, responsible, teachable, positive, and humble because with each of these attributes you are sure to fulfill your desired destiny!” encouraged faculty member Kevina Woodard, more commonly known as “Ms.K.”

Kim Napolitano, our lead guidance counselor, added, “Complete every assignment, zeros will kill your grade… and come to school.”

I hope your freshman year is out of this world, and everything you desire it to be. Good Luck!