Walking into high school as a freshman can honestly be pretty intimidating, especially at a small school where it feels like everybody already knows each other. But after spending four years here, one thing I’ve learned is that high school really becomes what you make of it.
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is to make friends with the right people. The people you surround yourself with affect everything , your attitude, your motivation, and the choices you make. Be around people who support you, make you laugh, and actually want to see you do well. Drama spreads fast in a small school, so staying around good people makes life a whole lot easier.
Another thing that matters more than people realize is just being nice to everyone. You don’t have to be best friends with every person you pass in the hallway, but saying hi, smiling, or just acknowledging people goes a long way. At a school this size, everybody knows everybody eventually. The way you treat people sticks with them. Teachers notice it too. Being respectful and friendly can honestly change your entire experience here.
As for school itself, try your best in the classroom and turn your work in on time. You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but effort matters. Freshman year is where habits start, and those habits follow you through high school. Waiting until the last second to do assignments only makes things harder on yourself. Pay attention, ask for help when you need it, and don’t be afraid to actually care about your grades.
At the same time, don’t take everything so seriously. Go to games, hang out with your friends, and enjoy the little moments during the school day because those are the things you’ll remember most. High school feels long while you’re in it, but senior year shows up faster than you think.
Now that graduation is here less than a week away, it’s strange realizing it’s all over. Some of the things I complained about are things I know I’ll miss. To the incoming freshmen, have fun, make memories, and live in the moment a little.
