Beginning of High School

Fresh(wo)man year

Throughout my last 4 years, I lived the epitome of teenage years regardless what a few handful say, high school. What I have encountered though was not what I expected.

Coming from a junior high where only 10% of its students go on to attend my former high school was a difficult task at first. If I could make any recommendation at first, I would say join a sport and go to the summer camp. Granted it will take a portion of our beautiful summer lives but when you start school in the fall, you will have met new people or just become more comfortable with the ones you knew previously.

As society foretells, the first day of school is always the toughest. With the confusion of finding your classes and others trying to do the same, the first day can be stressful at some points. But it’s the feeling of not being in your own domain and knowing a sufficient amount of people that makes us feel uncomfortable. Walking to your first class and sitting down in empty seat is almost as nerve-racking as...

....riding a roller coaster at top speed. Luckily for me, there was that was one person I knew in my class that I could next sit to and have a random conversation. By just having a conversation with someone, it relieves your nerves and others won’t judge you as a loner no matter what everyone says. After your first class, you go through the same feelings as before but not as dramatic. Occasionally you've will recognize people you seen in your other classes or just in the hallways.

Freshman year is filled with lots of uncomfortable feelings. You will find your friends you just met or knew since preschool days joining other activities or cliques. Thoughts will race through your head whether you should join them or follow them because they are your friends. My advice would be to do what you feel is right. Stay true to yourself and do what appeals you. Go on your own and try to join clubs/sports that suit you. Even if you are uncertain, just try it. You might love or hate it but there’s nothing worse than regretting you never took the incentive to take that step.

Don’t be afraid to ask others for help, whether it’s a teacher, coach, counselor or even an upperclassmen, most will be willing to open up and give an honest opinion or answer. To this day, I still ask my friends/teachers questions. Some of my good friends now are the people I asked questions in the past.

These friends you may make this year, might be one day your lifelong friends and speaking at your wedding in your honor.

Get a head start and begin volunteering around the community or interning at a hospital or business. You never know if you will come to love it.

The key to living a remarkable high school life is mustering the courage to step off the “safe path.”