advice for a freshman?

Just take your grades seriously. I failed classes both my freshman and sophomore year, because I simply didn't care. And of course I regretted it because I ended up having to take summer classes every summer to make up for it in order to graduate on time. My school only allows you to take 6 classes a semester so no leeway for failure. There's some schools in my area where you take 8 classes a semester I really wish I went to one of those lol. (Luckily I did end up graduating on time, I started to actually try my Junior and Senior year)

As for the friendship problem... As long as you have at least one friend who is willing to sit with you everyday during lunch, you'll be fine. I'm not sure if making friends is a problem for you, but it was and is still a problem for me. My sophomore year I was extremely unlucky and all of my friends had a different lunch than me. My junior year same thing happened but I made some bull**** excuse to get my schedule changed. If you have a different lunch from your friend and your school allows schedule changes, do not mention you want to switch your schedule to get a different lunch. I made that mistake my sophomore year. Find out which class determines your lunch schedule and have that class switched with a class that has your friends lunch. The classes at my school went by hallway numbers to determine your lunch. For example if your 4th period was in an odd number hallway you'd have first lunch and an even hallway you'd have second lunch.

Sorry I'm sort of rambling, but like I said try to have a friend during lunch. Try to make a friend in each class if you can, if you can't it's okay. The only classes I would suggest that really matter having a friend in is P.E. because you always team up and walk around in groups, etc. And also any class that partners up frequently. If you ever find yourself not having a friend in a class where you need to partner up try to look for someone who's alone as well.

People are actually nicer in high school. I remember our class having a conversation our Senior year... Saying middle school kids were a lot worse. In a big school no one is going to notice you/pick on you. No one gives a **** because they're too busy living their own lives. In middle school kids are more immature and are more harsh, you're more likely to be singled out and bullied. So in that respect I think high school was a lot better in terms of peers.

Most likely you probably won't have to interact with any upperclassman your freshman year, because you won't have any classes with them, but there are some exceptions. But anyways, from my experience usually upperclassman are really nice to freshman. I've seen a few seniors viewing them as their little apprentices. x) Honestly I think freshman are more cruel than seniors, because a lot of them aren't completely developed and are still very immature. I mean probably 80% of them are fine but some of them can be really disrespectful... My senior year I had to take an extra elective to fill up my schedule, so I took an entry level culinary arts class filled with 90% freshman... And they were the rudest most disrespectful, bunch of kids I've ever seen. They literally terrorized the poor teacher every single day. I couldn't believe their behavior... So be weary of your own kind if you can. xD
 
Last edited:
i didnt have a problem with upperclassmen thinking they were better than me, i did end up despising some of them for their attitudes and how annoying they were but honestly that's just one small tiny downside to school, at least in my case anyway (aka having the annoying seniors around who just want nothing more than to get out of school. so they end up acting up in class, lol)

just pay attention in class and if you dont understand something then ask. im a senior now and during this year specifically it felt like everything was dragged out for such a tortuously long time, but looking back it really went by faster than i had thought it had...

dont be shy around your classmates because theyll be open and want to make friends with people too! (this was my first mistake lol, i ended up becoming 'friends' with only like 3-4 of them because of that) im not saying it could happen to you because i doubt it will bc i switched classes entirely in the 11th grade and got set up with people who i didnt even know at all (so you've got a fresh start)

and just focus on your grades. all the memorization, the tortures of studying the same math problems over and over again, reading the same page twice just to make sure you're prepared for a test/quiz is all worth it in the end!
 
Last edited:
focus on school, thats really it. don't look into things that don't matter or popularity because in the real world, it doesn't translate to anything. your grades do however! don't do what i did and slack
 
I remember being really nervous about starting high school, but looking back, there's not much to be nervous about. The classes get a little harder (not a big deal), and everyone around you is crazy hormonal (kind of a big deal lol). There can be a lot of drama and a lot of annoying people, but it'll be over before you know it. Try to enjoy yourself before you have to take on the responsibility of college and getting a job/ career. You're still a kid, and you should save stressing out for when you're my age and you have to pay rent and bills :P
 
Step 1: panic attack
Step 2: somehow get into a STUPID CLASS FOR AUTISITC KIDS
Step 3: Complain to your mother about it...
Step 4: Repeat

This is a joke... but it seems like how i got into that damn class... i have no "social skills" they say.... when i am one of the nicest people you can meet online
 
I just graduated high school.

I remember being extremely, extremely nervous going into high school. But once you get your first day over with, its over!

Work harder than you did in middle school. If you care about gpa and ranking, freshman year is the most important year to determine this! Work hard! Take notes! Sometimes people will refuse to take notes to seem smart or cool (weird to type out buts its sort of true) do it anyway! You'll regret not having notes to study.

Find a club you like, and stick with it. I did yearbook all throughout high school and Imade lots of friends and discovered how much I love design and writing. If your shy, clubs like yearbook and other work-driven clubs are good because they minimize the amount of socializing required but you still make friends.

Write in a journal! You'll look back and laugh at all the things you wrote in it. It's awesome to be a senior and look at your freshman journal.

Save your money! I wish I had saved more money during high school. College is expensive!

Don't feel pressured to go to homecoming/ prom/ football games/ etc if you don't want to. Definitely try to go at least once though.

If you're nervous about breaking the ice, look up some jokes or something before your first day. Or bring card games with you if you feel you might have extra time.

Study for the SATs and ACTs as soon as possible!

Everybody forgets about sports like gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, etc. Try to attend those games! Less people will be there and its really cool to watch other sports besides football!

I remember being nervous about upper-classman to! C: But my freshman year I learned they are pretty normal and cool and you might make a few friends out of upperclass men.

I honestly think there is a serious lie in "don't take too many ap classes". I took as many ap classes as I possibly could and did fine.
 
Last edited:
let's just say that i had terrible, terrible anxiety about going to high shool on the first day. but like any other day it was fine.

1. friends are not easy to make, i know. im not much of a sports person but joining some clubs (art, music, etc.) it really helps with finding people who have the same interests as you.
2. most upper class men are actually really chill, just don't be bothersome to them and they won't be jerks to you.
3. from my point of view, maps are useful but you can still get lost. look at the signs and if it's one of those "hidden" rooms, don't be afraid to ask. most teachers are happy to help, it's their job.
 
Join a club or a team (or more than one) for an activity you enjoy or want to get better at. Music, sports, arts, leadership groups, etc. are great ways to meet new people and make new friends, plus learn cool skills / get in really good shape.

Don't be scared to talk to new people in your classes. Everyone else is in the same situation as you so there's bound to be at least a few people you'll have something in common with.

Don't get caught up in high school drama, it's a waste of time.

Get in the habit of a good work ethic. Will make college and the rest of life much easier. If you're able to take/pass them, AP classes get you off to a great head start in college.

As annoying as parents can be sometimes, they're usually not out to get you. But high school is a time where your interests, friend groups, and a lot more is changing, and they've been through it to, and no they will never fully understand what you're going through. But it's way better to keep a good relationship with them even if they frustrate you sometimes.

Think about which subjects really interest you / you're good at. Research what careers are like in that field, or what colleges have good programs for it. Ask around. You'd be surprised how many people are willing to share valuable information or help out when you're a well-intentioned, curious student.
 
Back
Top