High School Advice for Freshmen

It has been a while since I graduated from high school, so I

Here is my advice for freshmen this year (or any time), to help get you through school:

• Before the first day of school, take a tour to get the lay of the building, and to see where your locker, classes, lunch room/cafeteria, etc. are.
• Don't be afraid to ask a teacher or upperclassman for help, if you get lost. After all, they were in your position at one point.
• Put your schedule and locker combination somewhere safe (like in your phone, a planner, etc., in case you forget it. You don't want to be late because you couldn't figure out your combination, or where your class was.
• Get your homework done as soon as possible. Even if it is not due for a while, getting started on it as soon as possible means you won't be scrambling at the last minute to finish the assignment. Plus, you will have more time afterwards to do the things you actually WANT to do.
• High school is not about being popular or the most beautiful or the most talented, or about gossiping. It is about learning, making friends, and making memories.
• Join at least one club, sport, or after school extracurricular. It helps you learn how to balance school and home life, and can even improve your grades.
• If you are struggling in any way, don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. You can't do everything by yourself, and it is not weak to ask for help. You can only do so much. Asking for help means that you are human.
• Don't let others define who you are, you define who you are. Just be yourself and let the real you shine through. The right people will be attracted to the real you, and will be there for you no matter what.
• If you don't think you can do something, try to do it anyway. You never know unless you try, and you may even end up liking/loving it!
• Fitting in isn't the most important thing in school/life. You are you for a reason, and you are meant to stand out. Fitting in only makes things worse.
• Find out what your passions are. You never know what you like or what you are good at, if you never try. Try something out, and if you don't like it, or are not good at it, then you can move on, and find something else to try.
• DO NOT BE PRESSURED INTO DOING SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE!!! Just because others are doing it, does not mean you have to as well. If someone tells you
• Don't be afraid of telling an adult about any bullying you experience/encounter.
• Find friends who will love you for you, who will not try to change you into something or someone you are not, and who will always be there for you.
• Attend school functions like games, shows, concerts, rallies, etc. They really aren't that bad, and it's only a small fraction of school life.

If you are a freshman, I hope the first year (as well as the rest of your high school career, of course) goes well!!!