Advice To Incoming Freshmen
Photo from Pexels by Cottonbro Studio.
Emily Hokanson
Freshman year was, without a doubt, the year that I was most nervous about. And rightfully so, seeing that you have no idea what to expect, you’re the youngest in school again, and there’s a lot for you to learn. Although it can be scary, it’s still one of the most fun experiences you’ll have in high school. To help guide you through it, I wrote this article with pieces of advice I wish I was given when I was a freshman.
1. It’s NOT as Scary as You Think
The first week can be a little difficult because of how new everything is, but after that it’s not too bad. Once you get through the first week you start to get used to all of your classes and you get to know where everything is pretty quickly. And yes, I know the upperclassmen can seem scary, but most of the time they really couldn’t care less about freshmen. Overall, it’s not too bad and you will get used to the new school environment!
2. Go Out of Your Comfort Zone
This is sometimes easier said than done, but these are the last four years you get to be a kid, so make it worth it! Doing this can mean anything from making new friends, trying new clubs, trying a new sport, and so much more! I regret waiting until my junior year to go out of my comfort zone, but better late than never. During my junior year I joined HOSA, Girls Varsity Rugby, and Charger Press; three completely new experiences I’ve never had before. All turned out really well and by my senior year I earned a position on the executive board for HOSA, became a regular writer for the Charger Press, and had two very successful seasons of rugby! Trust me, it’s worth it to try something new!
3. Be In The Moment
It’s very hard to not get swept up in all the fun milestones that you’ve been waiting for since you were a kid: getting your license, making your own money, going to prom, getting into the college you want, and graduating high school. But don’t rush it. All of these moments will happen eventually, but for now enjoy being a kid and having few responsibilities because all of that will come soon enough. Out of all the advice I was given as a freshman, this is the one I wish I would’ve listened to more.
4. Explore Your Opportunities
One of the best parts about high school is the amount of opportunities there are available to you. Oftentimes, coming out of middle school, most kids haven’t been involved in a lot because there isn’t a wide variety of options offered in middle school. But once you get to high school you’ll quickly realize there’s a plethora of clubs, activities, volunteer opportunities, sports, and more! Getting involved is a great way to meet new friends, find new interests, and explore what really interests you. Make sure to check out the club fair that happens at the start of every year!
Check out the Volunteer Board I created to find some local opportunities: Volunteer Opportunities for HHS Students
If you’re looking for clubs to join, check out this Charger Press article by Kennedy Ellis: Hamilton High School Clubs
5. Work Hard
From the minute you begin high school, you need to start working hard. A huge misconception is that your freshman and sophomore year don’t matter that much. This is wrong! How you do during your freshman and sophomore years is crucial when it comes to your GPA. If you slack off during your entire freshman year you may hurt your GPA to a point where you’ll have to work 10 times harder to raise it. Don’t do this! Put in the effort and you will see it pay off by the end of your high school career!
6. Understand Procrastination
Don’t deny that you’re going to procrastinate. Procrastination is a part of life and at some point everyone struggles with it. However, as you get older throughout high school, you need to realize that you’re responsible for the amount of pressure you put on yourself to get tasks done. That means that YOU are responsible for building your own work ethic and a part of that is learning when not to procrastinate. Just get it done!
7. Build Useful Connections
Connections! Connections! Connections! The earlier you start making them, the better. Connections are how you’re able to get meaningful recommendation letters, find opportunities, and so much more! Building strong connections with your teachers is a great start! As you get older, try to build connections with employers, coaches, upperclassmen, etc! One of the most useful connections I made was with an upperclassmen going into the same career as me. She helped me pick classes for college and answered so many questions throughout the college application process! Her advice played a huge role in my life! Bottom line is, make AS MANY connections as you can!
8. Take AP Classes
One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t take any AP classes until my junior year. They’re a great opportunity to raise your GPA, get experience in higher level courses, and show colleges you’re challenging yourself. And yes, most schools do give you college credits if you score a 3 or above on your AP exam. I earned a 4 on my AP Language and Composition exam which earned me 3 credits at UW-Madison! Colleges are expensive enough so save money where you can! It’s a great idea to add AP classes to your sophomore year schedule because sophomore year tends to be less chaotic compared to junior and senior year. Try them out!
9. Reach Out!
I know you might feel grown up because you’re in high school now, but you’re still going to need a lot of guidance. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to teachers, upperclassmen, and guidance counselors. They’re all there to support and help you when it comes to scheduling, career choices, college questions, extracurricular activities, high school advice, and so much more! So if you ever need to, reach out!
Welcome to high school! I hope this advice helps you throughout your freshman year! Good luck!
