Dear Incoming Freshman,
When I was younger, I used to not be able to sleep before the first night of school due to my excitement. Now, I’m unable to sleep because of the impending anxiety of the school year ahead.
School is no longer full of joyful students excited to learn and to socialize at recess. No, instead school is now stressed out students, dreading their painful day ahead. It was inevitable though; high school is definitely not like the movies.
High School Musical is a good example of false expectations when it comes to school. It makes sense that the writers did not add in scenes of the students learning in class because it would just be boring. I guess I wasn’t smart enough to realize that at a young age.
Walking through school on my first day of freshman year might’ve been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. The intimidating upperclassmen mixed with the confused freshman nobody wants to help was a recipe for disaster. Now, two years later, I realize I should do something that I wish was accessible when I was going through my freshman year:the tips and tricks of surviving high school.
Yes, high school is actually hard
Although it is often sugarcoated in middle school, high school does require you to work harder/more. Ninth through twelfth grade are your most important academic years in your school career, so obviously your teachers will assign you more work. Instead of homework twice a week you will most likely have homework every night.
Yes, that includes the weekend. You will have multiple tests a week in your different classes, and these tests actually require more study time than you’re used to. Don’t let me scare you though, the work is totally manageable if you take your classes seriously and make sure you stay on top of all the work you do get assigned.
Plus, it’s super validating once you finish your daily homework.
Don’t overwork yourself!
Continuing with the subject of your school work, it’s important not to overwork yourself. It’s completely understandable to need a day off. School is exhausting, and all the extra responsibility you now have in high school definitely doesn’t help your fatigue. It is super important to make sure you are organized and make a plan about your upcoming school year. If you know you will be playing a sport or you have a commitment in a club, try and manage your time wisely.
Knock it out on Monday night, so you don’t have the work Wednesday after school and volleyball.
Your outfit doesn’t matter as much as you think
Freshman year, I would wake up extra early to pick out my outfit because I thought what I wore would make me more likable.I couldn’t have been more wrong. People should like you for you, not for your outfit. It’s important to be aware of your real friends who like you no matter what you wear. This is not to say you shouldn’t dress up and feel good about yourself. All that matters is that you are dressing for yourself and not other people.
Join clubs/sports teams!
Try to join as many activities as you can! Clubs provide new opportunities to meet new people, and they look great on your college applications. One of my biggest mistakes freshman and sophomore year was not getting involved as much as I could. If you are an upperclassman reading this, it’s never too late! Eastern has so many amazing opportunities that anyone can take advantage of!
Be social!
Your classes will be filled with new faces, and you will meet so many new people. It is a thrilling yet hard task to be able to go up to someone you’ve never talked to and become friends with them. Even if it doesn’t end up working out, you now have experience talking to new people. Don’t let one bad experience stop you from better ones.
Real life high school may not be a musical, but it definitely is an unforgettable experience. Coming from someone whose first two years flew by, it goes so fast. Soak up every second and live in the moment.
Sincerely,
A Junior
