Advice for Freshmen from a Senior

Written by Brooke Anderson

School is back in session and for some of you, this is your very first year in high school! Starting high school can sometimes be an intimidating experience, but it doesn’t have to be that way. One thing that can bring you comfort is that you aren’t alone! All of the upperclassmen were once in your shoes, so we know what it’s like to be the new kid. Some lessons take time to learn, but lucky for you, I have been there and done that. Below is some advice for all you freshmen!

Get Involved

High school is a great time to explore your interests and make new friends. One way of doing this is by participating in different extracurricular activities. Join clubs, participate in local sports groups, try out for plays, and do whatever else you might enjoy! Over time, you can focus on what you’re really passionate about. Right now, you can dip your toes in different activities and find what’s best for you. Not only will this show you a good time, but it will also be helpful later on when applying to colleges!

Explore Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Starting high school might already be a daunting experience, but it really isn’t that bad! (Not even the infamous junior year!) It might be uncomfortable for a bit, but you’ll surely end up enjoying yourself. The same is true for all other aspects of life! Sometimes a little discomfort is all it takes to bring good changes. When striving for the things that make you a little nervous, the worst thing that can happen is hearing “no”. If your aspirations are inhibited by something outside of you, then all you can do is accept it and be glad that you at least tried. On the other hand, the best thing that could happen because of your efforts is a “yes” and wonderful opportunities you never would’ve been presented with had you not tried. Progress exists just outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to go for it!

Ask for Help

There is a multitude of reasons why one might be nervous about asking a teacher for help, but in the end, none of them are worth worrying about. Your teachers understand that you’re making a big transition from middle school to high school, and they’re here to help you! No teacher wants their students to fail, so don’t sweat it when you have questions. In fact, this statement stays true even after freshman year. One time, I literally told a teacher that I bombed a test and asked if she would go over it with me…she did! Even when you are really struggling in a course, if your teacher sees that you’re making an effort, they will definitely help you to succeed.

Write Things Down

This may not sound very helpful, but trust me, having a written record of things is a lifesaver. It helps to handwrite your notes for class because writing has been shown to improve memory. Writing events down in a planner or even in your phone’s calendar can be infinitely useful because you can see all of your plans in one place instead of relying on your memory (which will inevitably fail you every now and then). Avoid the proverbial brain fart, and write stuff down.

Work

hard and have fun: I’m probably not the first person to tell you this, but there’s a reason why! Ultimately, high school is a time for you to grow as a student and as a person. Just do your best, and enjoy the next four years because everything will be fine! Welcome to high school! 🙂all other aspects of life! Sometimes a little discomfort is all it takes to bring good changes. When striving for the things that make you a little nervous, the worst thing that can happen is hearing “no”. If your aspirations are inhibited by something outside of you, then all you can do is accept it and be glad that you at least tried. On the other hand, the best thing that could happen because of your efforts is a “yes” and wonderful opportunities you never would’ve been presented with had you not tried. Progress exists just outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to go for it!