On the first day of freshman year, I remember logging onto my first Zoom class and being scared out of my mind. As I went throughout the day and looked at the work I had to do, I became immediately overwhelmed and never thought that I would make it through. Now here I am as a senior, able to tell the freshmen that it does get better, and you will make it through.
The biggest transition from middle school to high school is the course load. It may seem intimidating to be able to take AP classes and you may feel the need to take as many hard classes as you can. If there is an on-level or honors class, and you are struggling in an honors or AP class, it is fine to drop into the lower-level class (with your counselor’s permission). This school contains a rigorous curriculum and course load, with many people taking up all of their classes in APs. It is necessary to maintain a balance between hard classes and some classes that could be easier if you make them easier. While it is OK to switch to a better fit for you, it is also alright to challenge yourself and take advantage of the rigor that this school has to offer.
Extracurricular activities are in abundance at this school, and it is vital that you join as many as you can. Freshman year, I highly recommend going to the club fair, which this year will take place on Sept. 26, and signing up for any club you are interested in. While you go through high school, you will begin to focus your attention and time on a few specific clubs, hopefully gaining leadership positions. When you start a club and stick with it, you will be more likely to get elected into a leadership position. It is worthwhile to simply be in the club and be actively interested in what the club is doing. Sports are one of the most active groups at this school, and whether on a junior varsity or varsity team, I highly recommend at least trying out. Sports have a big community, and with this community you will always have someone to lean on and you will almost always find new friends.
Balancing social life and school work is difficult, but not impossible. While there are going to be conflicts in scheduling, whether there is a football game but you have homework to do, or you need to go in to see a teacher during advisory and your friends are going to a club meeting, choose what will help you succeed. Friends will be there whether or not you are actually there at the moment. It is better to focus on doing well in school than hanging out with your friends instead of doing what you need to do to do well.
Although high school will be difficult, it is one of the best times of your life, and it should be embraced to the fullest extent. Enjoy it, because although it’s a cliche, time really does fly, so make it count.
