Guiding freshman through high school

To all of the Freshman starting their high school experience:

Welcome to high school. A lot of memories are going to be made here in the next four years, so why not make it the best it can be?

Let’s start with the important stuff first. Academics.

To all of the seniors saying freshman year doesn’t matter and that your grades don’t matter and that “nothing matters,” you’re wrong.

Let me tell you, the people telling you that high school is a joke and that you don’t need to try are the ones who won’t be accepted into their first choice college or for a mediocre job.

So put this into simpler terms; everything you are doing now affects how you will be viewed, how you will be remembered, and where you will end up after these four years.

It might not seem like it now, but that’s how high school works.

It’s like eating junk foods everyday when your doctor told you to eat healthier.

You don’t really mind now, but 30 years down the road when you are suffering from diabetes and obesity, someone will be there to tell you, “I told ya so.”

That brings me to my next point.

Leave a good impression, especially with your teachers.

Take school seriously. Do you really want to be the topic of conversation at the teachers’ lunch table? I don’t think so. Do you want to be remembered as the “druggie?” Do you want to be known as the kid who always procrastinated and ended up as a “super senior?”

If you’re thinking about answering yes to any of these questions because you think it’s cool or funny, I’m telling you you don’t.

And for the love of Pete, don’t wait until the day before something is due to do it. Don’t be the person doing their homework at lunch or doing class right before its collected. And don’t be the person not doing anything at all.

That’s one thing I just can’t understand. Coming to school to do nothing.

If you are going to be forced to sit down and be quiet for 6 hours each day, 5 days a week, might as well put in some effort to learn something and have fun so you can be successful.

So you can go to the college you want, play on the sports team of your choice, and eventually have enough money to live well off with a nice house and a happy family.

Forgetting and assignment and rushing to finish it at the last minute happens to us all at one time or another, just don’t make a habit of it.

Keeping good grades and staying on track is necessary, but so is having the right attitude.

Respect is something else that is incredibly important no matter the situation. Whether it be to a teacher, a friend, or a custodian, respect is an expectation, not an option.

And I know I’m giving you a lot of advice, but who am I, right?

I’m a senior girl who has had the same friends since elementary school, is on the honor roll, and is a three season athlete. I think I have kind of a good idea about high school.

Being afraid is normal, but don’t be scared of teachers, of upperclassmen, or of anything.

More importantly, I wish I knew that no one really cares.

No one cares that the shirt your wearing has a stain on the front, that your new haircut looks funky, or that you got the answer wrong when the teacher called on you.

It’s hard to not get worked up about these tiny things that seem to mean the world when your a teenager, but life will go on.

Be yourself. These four years have definitely helped me find out more about myself and what I value.

So don’t get twisted up in the wrong crowd. Find a group that has the same values as you.

As far as drinking and drugs go, no one can stop you from trying these thing, but participating and experimenting with these things is a big risk that doesn’t make you cool or popular, it can just make you look more foolish and immature.

That brings me to my next point. What is popular?

Popular is not a thing.

Who has the most friends, the most clothes, the most whatever. No one cares.

Don’t be afraid of them either. Popularity is just a cover for those with countless insecurities.

And the people who consider themselves ‘popular’ are usually the ones who think they are “too cool” for school events.

You are not.

In fact, you are not cool at all.

Think clubs are stupid? Think it’s weird to actually try in class and get good grades?

Think again.

Get involved in any possible activity you can. Chess club, national honors society, whatever it may be, try it. You may surprise yourself and find something you love.

Next onto the fun stuff.

Football games. Go to as many as you can. The school spirit and energy at these events is like nothing else you will experience.

Dances. Homecoming and then prom. Don’t miss out. If you don’t have a date, who cares? Music, dancing, singing, and  creating memories with the people you will be telling stories about to your kids someday. Why would you want to miss out on an opportunity like that that you only get four times in your life?

So these are just a few things I wish I knew more about.

So if you want to ignore all of this advice, go for it. But that’s not my recommendation. Focus on school first, then worry about having fun.

To all of you freshman in four years who won’t get to go to their first choice college or do the things they want, you can pull this article out of the garbage along with the rest of your school work, and I’ll be sitting her saying,

“I told ya so.”