During our senior year of high school, we were asked to write a letter for the incoming class of 2022. Well, those kids are now high school juniors and likely well-versed in high school. I decided to take a look back and give some comments in the form of sidenotes that you can find below. So here’s the advice my 18-year-old self thought a freshman needed to know:
Dear Freshman,
I still remember my first few days of high school, having an irrational fear of getting lost in this huge school of ours(1). Alas, I never did get physically lost, but I was not nearly mentally prepared for what was awaiting me in this new building(2). Nonetheless, these past four years at [redacted] High School have truly shaped me into the person I have become today. Thinking back on the past four years, there are things that I wish I had known before embarking on this new phase of my life. Consider this letter to be a very short version of my “high school survival guide”. Not that high school is unsurvivable, but the following tips may, hopefully, improve your high school experience.
It’s often said that freshman year can determine what you do for the next four years of your life. You may have been told to “work hard freshman year because your classes are only going to get harder from now on”(3). I’m here to tell you that yes, you should try your hardest during your first year. But, don’t think that you destroyed your chances at college just because your GPA isn’t a certain number by the end of freshman year. Instead of worrying over such matters, use this year to learn how to study. Use different methods, whether it be studying with a group or making flashcards. Experiment and see which method works best for each class. Don’t be afraid to talk and work with your teachers during study hall or after school if you need additional help(4). Once you learn how to study, your grades will, hopefully, rise up accordingly. If you haven’t learned time management by now, you will definitely learn it by the end of this year. If you have trouble starting your homework, then do it as soon as you get home. Starting your homework is often times more difficult than actually doing it. You probably know that taking a little TV/Netflix/Social Media break is beneficial while studying, but don’t let a 15 minute break turn into two hours of non-stop binge-watching(5).
I must admit to you that I am not the most social butterfly. I do have my clan of friends at school: pals to sit with at lunch, a group to hang out with during that twenty minute gap after class ends and the buses come(6). But, I was never the one who hangs out with said friends outside of school. I have never been to those high school parties (you know, the kind that resembles the parties in the teen movies). With all of that being said, let me give you some advice on social life in a school context. If you want good grades, having some smart friends definitely helps. When you see your friends working hard, it’s encourages you to also work hard. I’d suggest you try to find friends in every class that you have during high school. These friends can help you with homework, projects, and studying. If you don’t see a friend on the first day of classes, then you have a great opportunity to make some new friends(7). I have made so many friends just from having an assigned seat next to them in a class. Be accepting and keep an open mind about people; it’ll be much easier to make new friends. Also keep in mind that you should never view your friends as your competitors. Sadly I have seen this so often, especially during junior year. If your friend does well on a test, feel happy for them rather than envious. Trust me, this can really change your mindset about your friends and high school peers.
As you progress through high school, if you, like I am, are apart of the large social umbrella called ‘nerds’- those who mostly take honors/AP classes, cares about grades, etc.-, there will probably come a point where people try to define you by what classes and grades you have. First and foremost, remember that a number cannot and will not ever define you. As my friend once told me during my junior year: it’s okay to stress out before a test or quiz, but remember that in a year from now, you won’t even remember anything relating to said test or quiz(8). In the long term, these tests and quizzes won’t even matter. Next, don’t let people assume that you’re good at something just because you’re born with it. Whether it be your intelligence, work ethic, or sports capabilities, never let some underestimate the hard work that you have put into something. I have had someone tell me that the reason I did well in a class is must be because I wear mismatched socks(9). You have worked hard for whatever it is that you are good at, so let people know! As for relationships with teachers, they’re just as important as everyone claims they are. Don’t just do it for the teacher recommendations for college applications. Rather, make friendships because your teachers are actually funny and normal people to be around. Of course the college recommendation letters are a plus, but leaving high school with some teachers who will genuinely miss seeing you in the halls is, quite frankly, a great feeling. Lastly, treat your teachers and parents with respect. I always see people calling their teachers dumb or saying their parents suck. Even though it may not always seem like it, your teachers and parents want you to succeed. Respect the people who have taught you to become, well, you!
As you begin this new journey of high school, I hope my “high school survival guide” can improve your high school experience. Now, of course, I encourage you to make the most of the next four years. Work hard, be involved, give back to your community, and don’t forget to have a little fun in between. But, keep in mind that this is only four years. The next four years will not determine the rest of your life unless you want it to(10). At times, you may think high school will never end. At times, you may want to just go far, far away from home and everyone associated with it. But one day, perhaps you will be sitting in my exact shoes: spending a few hours during Memorial Day weekend of senior year, writing your advice to a new incoming freshman from the Class of 2026, wondering how four years could have possibly flown by so fast(11).
All of that being said, if you remember anything from this letter, let it be this: work hard and keep an open mind. It’ll take you far in life.
Best of luck and Go Class of 2022!
Some sidenotes:
- Rather than being setup like a normal school, our school was massively spread out across one floor with a tiny portion of that had a second floor. This meant getting from the east to west side of the school could take 15 minutes. Huffin’ and puffin’ between classes was not fun.
- Had I been a better writer, I could’ve mentioned how I would be physically and mentally lost in high school. Missed out on a nice analogy there.
3. I vaguely remember someone saying this to me.
4. Ah, remember the good times where we had structured free time called study hall?
5. Interestingly, Netflix binging was/is not a huge problem for me in college.
6. Similar to the school building layout, this is another thing I never understood. We always had to wait 25–30 minutes for the buses to arrive. Not an optimal use of time.
7. I was so good with this in high school. Didn’t work out as well in college.
8. I still live by this philosophy before my quizzes and exams!
9. This is something I constantly have to remind myself; I was not born “smart”, I worked hard for it! I’m not quite sure who said this “mismatched socks” thing, but honestly I’m not surprised.
10. Even if you wanted it to, will high school determine the rest of your life? I don’t think so.
8. The high school class of 2026 was born in 2008 and they will enter high school next year. Damn.
