Going into high school is a very scary but also exciting experience. You experience a new phase of life that is growing up. Going into high school means learning, and growing, and did I mention learning? During your years of high school, you are not just learning school work, you are learning how to be a friend and a good student. If I was an incoming freshman for the 2024-2025 school year, these are some things I wish I had known before the start of high school.
To start off, I want to hit on being nice to everyone! The nicer you are, the more friends you will have. It is nice to know you have people who will be there for you and people to get through these four years with. Normally, everyone finds their friend groups and not everyone is close to each other. My advice is to try and be friends with (or at least on good terms) with everyone. Arguing and having “drama” is so draining, and it will ruin your experience of high school. High school is not supposed to be about fighting with everyone, it is supposed to be about learning, and enjoying your time doing it. Senior, Keira Wrightsman, says “I would tell new freshmen to be more social with their peers in school because it all passes by so fast and you will regret not creating relationships with people.” Along with this, I would say get involved as much as you can. Join clubs, sports, and activities. There are many things you can do throughout high school. You may love them or hate them but it never hurts to try. Senior, Dixie Wagoner, says, “I would tell incoming freshmen to get involved in as many activities as possible so they find what they love. If they find out what they love sooner, they can participate in it for longer!”
My second piece of advice would be to make good choices. To “fit in,” you should not feel like you have to do what everyone else might be doing. Everyone has their own path in life they want to follow, but remember it is important to focus on school. Everyone loves to have fun. It is okay to hang out with friends and stay out late, but your choices will follow you.
Along with making good choices, I want to touch on social media. It is important to remember that what you post/send on social media will be out there forever. Digital trail!! It is very easy to get caught up in social media, and your classmates’ actions. Senior, Danica Davis, says, “Looking back on my years of high school, I wish I didn’t always think I needed to do what everyone else was doing. If I could give everyone a piece of advice I would say to be yourself.”
My third piece of advice would be to balance your school work and your social life. Keira Wrightsman says, “I wish my freshman year I tried a lot harder than I did rather than just neglecting my schoolwork.”It is very easy to get caught up in what you are doing over the weekend to the point where weeks full of schoolwork do not get done. If you do not do your work, it is hard to catch back up depending on how far you are behind. During the school day, you can focus on your school work and after school, you can do your usual activities. Dixie Wagoner says, “I wish I would have known how to balance my work and social life better. I often spent time with friends before my work was done, so I was scrambling to get my work done at the last minute.”
Incoming freshmen, remember these three rules:
- Be nice to everyone!
- Make good choices!
- Balance your school work and social life!
If you remember these points, you will start your high school career off on the right foot. Good luck, Always be a King!
