For freshmen, it is stressful and daunting starting high school, because it is a different environment than middle school. In high school there are new people, opportunities, and ways of learning. Because of the environment change, it is useful to get advice from upperclassmen and teachers who have gone through the stress and changes of freshman year.
Soak it all in!
High school goes by within a blink of an eye, so take in all the sights and experiences. Ms. Williams, 9th and 10th Literature teacher, graduated from AHS. She said, “Soak it all in!” Don’t waste your time wishing it would go by fast because it already does. Yes, grades are important, but have fun and enjoy it because you never get to go back to high school. It is a one time thing. Don’t be scared to talk to people or get involved because you only have four more years left. High school is the perfect opportunity to get outside of your comfort zone. Talk to new people and do some things you’ve never done before. Four years may seem like a long time, but in reality it goes by faster than you may think.
Stop procrastinating
It is important to stay on top of your work and not fall behind. Ellie Wolfer, sophomore, said, “Don’t procrastinate and be proactive.” It is very tempting to push all assignments back and finish them right before they are due. That is not a good habit to have! Be proactive and get your work done in increments; it relieves so much pressure off of your shoulders. Make a list of what you have to do and get it knocked out to have time for the things you love. Don’t wait until 11 o’clock at night to do that math homework that you didn’t want to do. You can prevent being overwhelmed when trying to hurry through a project/assignment if you take initiative and do your work. Also, be organized! Don’t just shove your papers in your bookbag. Find what kind of organization benefits you the most and go with it because it will help you to stop procrastinating.
Get Involved
At AHS there are many opportunities to get involved and participate in extracurricular activities. Kelsy Arp, sophomore, said, “It is important to participate in extracurricular activities because it looks good on college applications.” Being involved at school is important for many reasons. First, most colleges like to see how you were involved in high school. They look at what sports you played and what clubs you were involved in. Second, you get to know people outside of the classroom. You get to know their personalities better and who they are as a person. Third, taking extracurricular activities help you become a more involved student and they help you balance responsibilities. Get involved and find something that appeals to you whether it is inside or outside of school.
Get to Know Your Teachers
Getting to know your teachers is important! Ellery McClain, sophomore, said, “I would recommend getting to know your teachers and building good relationships with them.” When you get to know your teachers, it changes the experience you get in the classroom. When you build relationships with your teachers it makes learning easier, and you are more comfortable with asking questions and getting help. In a situation where you may have a question about a grade or an assignment, getting to know your teacher and showing them you are ready to take initiative makes a huge difference!
Pictures from Freshman Year
