When I came over to the high school last year, I was petrified. I was in a new place, meeting new people and trying new things. In the beginning of the year, I wished I had someone helping me out. I hope I can be that person for incoming freshmen. 

Try new things: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. If you want to join a sport’s team, do it. If you want to take Astronomy classes, take them. If there is something that is appealing, go for it. 

When I first came over to high school, I didn’t want to do marching band. I was debating quitting band in general. But, I stuck it out. I can easily say marching band has been the highlight of my freshmen year. 

I also joined the Bocce team. By doing so, I met tons of new people and have tried not only a sport, but learned how to work with special education students. Nothing makes me happier than being around them. 

Be kind to yourself: Many students, myself included, want to make the best impression possible with their teachers and pupils. I wanted to get the best grades, have all my work done ahead of time and do everything I was asked to do. This did not happen. 

At the beginning of the year, I took on too much. It caused me to fall behind and struggle mentally. I had to force myself to take a step back and figure out what I could do to help myself. It is important to stay busy, but not to the point where you feel like you are suffocating. Grades will help with college and connections, but they won’t help you manage everything this life throws at you. 

I learned to take time for myself. Sometimes, this would mean being alone, other times it meant going out and having fun with friends. Just because you are busy doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. 

If there is a night where it feels like too much, just stop. Get done what desperately needs done and let the rest go. Teachers are a lot more understanding when you tell them the truth than when you lie to them. 

Managing the halls: Be warned. Hallways can be scary. With over 2,000 students, it can get a little bit overwhelming. People will push and scream. It is loud, tiring and annoying. But, you’ll learn to get used to it.  

Be prepared, because you might not always be able to get through as fast as you need to. People like to stop and talk, and it can cause issues for other people. Just be patient. It’ll work out. Luckily, it is a two way street. There are two different sides to get between both buildings. Follow whichever side you need. Things will work a lot better if you just follow the guidelines. 

Getting to classes: The worst part of the day is getting to classes. Going back and forth between two buildings is difficult. But, there is a five minute grace period to get there. Within the first day or two, you will learn the quickest and most efficient way to get to and from your classes. 

Bullying: Let’s face it. Throughout your entire life, you will face bullying. However, there are ways to deal with it. 

Don’t bully people back. By doing this, you are making the situation worse and will cause more problems than it is worth. Instead, take the high road. I know it’s difficult, but it is the easiest and most efficient thing to do. By taking the high road, you are showing your bully that you refuse to stoop to their level. 

There will be times where you don’t want to take the high road. You’ll want to scream in someone’s face and yell from the rooftops. But, it is worth it. If you don’t take the high road, you won’t be able to help yourself and others. 

Let others help: I made many mistakes coming from junior high to high school, but the biggest mistake I made was not letting upperclassmen help me. I didn’t want to appear weak and insufficient, so I refused to let them help. 

Upperclassmen were once in the same position you are. Believe them when they say they know what they are talking about. They want to help you so you don’t make the same mistake that they did. Not to mention, upperclassmen are some of the kindest people you can meet. 

Not like the movies: High school is nothing like it seems in the movies. Regina George won’t be around, and the Heathers aren’t out to get you. Everyone is just trying to make it through. 

I thought everyone was going to be rude and evil. I was prepared to be taunted and teased 24/7.  None of that happened. Instead, I was surprised at how kind most people were. Students and teachers are always ready to step in and help. Don’t fear asking for it. 

High school is overwhelming. Coming from junior high to high school is one of the scariest transitions: Don’t let it overwhelm you. In the end, there will be tons of people to help you make it through.