Dear Freshmen, From Seniors

By Isabel Campos

​As the new school year is beginning, many freshmen may be asking themselves, 'is high school really as intimidating as it seems?' Never fear! This article is stocked full of advice to guide you through the rest of high school.

After being empty for months, the school’s hallways are suddenly teeming with hordes of students moving from one class to the next; the 2019-2020 school year has begun. Every building is occupied with many of the same teachers and students, but the Upper School has also welcomed a new group of students, the freshmen. Whether due to freshman-senior week or plain nostalgia, all of the seniors remember their past experiences and their feelings of nervousness or excitement from when they were about to begin their high school careers. Here are some pieces of advice from the senior class to the freshmen who are now in the place they once were: 

“Some people tell you that grades matter junior year for college, but the cumulative GPA is what your college will receive. I wish I told myself that freshman year because I always heard that ‘oh grades don’t really matter until like junior year maybe sophomore.’ But no, you really need to work hard because a bad freshman year can drag your GPA down even if you do great the other three years.” Sarah Bratton

“Don’t be afraid to challenge yourselves. I wish I challenged myself more in high school.” Ananya Malholtra

“Find out a system that works for you and be organized so you can keep track of everything to do.” Mary Jones

“Do your work and don’t wear short skirts because you will get dress coded.” Linda Rossi

“Do not procrastinate and do use your teachers as much as possible. Take classes that aren’t just required but that you like because you enjoy learning it. It makes it better. Also, write everything down so that you have everything in front of you instead of listing it in your head, because it makes you crazy.” Mason Davis

“Do not get too caught up in drama or attached to specific friend groups because friend groups shift every year. This is not in a bad way because you make new friends.” Lucy Patterson

“Even the teachers want you to go to sleep; they do not want you to stay up late. Make sure you complete your homework and not worry too much about tests, because a bad grade will not completely kill your grade. You should also not completely rely on tests to get your grade up.” Mia Jones

“Do not stress out so much about your homework. Make an effort to get out of your house.” Blaise Burbank

“Do not take anything personally and do not have a superiority complex no matter how old you are. Be friends with everyone and learn from them.” Ruby Liles

“Use your study hall and do not be annoying. Show some respect to your elders. On dealing with stress, get a stress ball.” Victoria Ouyang and Riya Valaulikar

“You should put your best foot forward to starting highschool because at the end of the day, GPA really comes into play. Stay focused even when it gets tough. Stay focused, PERIODT!!!” Mikayla Jones

“Do not be scared to tryout for sports teams or do not be worried about teams. There is a stereotype that seniors will get all the play time but you should not feel the need to worry about that, just try your hardest in anything. Your team eventually becomes a little family.” Taylor Gallik 

This school year may be completely overwhelming at times for the new freshmen, but, hopefully, these words of wisdom from girls who have gone through high school are helpful. Freshman year acts as a crucial stepping stone into the high school experience that will ultimately provide enriching classes, fulfilling friendships, and important life lessons.