Freshman year… sounds life changing right? It can be. Mine sure was. Leaving middle school is a big deal to everyone whether you’re excited for the change or terrified like I was. The summer-long anticipation of meeting new people, going to a brand new building, finding out your class schedule, and learning to drive. Maybe you’re most looking forward to the clubs or playing varsity sports, or whatever it may be; leave the nerves behind. High school is severely over-hyped if you ask me. Yes, I’m aware the building is bigger, and there are more people, and the classes get harder, but didn’t that happen after preschool, or what about the far scarier transition of 5th to 6th grade? You are prepared for everything you’re worried about, and if you weren’t, you wouldn’t be where you are. Nonetheless, I have some words of wisdom for you.
Before I give you all of my incredible advice, I’d like to recap my freshman year. (Who doesn’t love a good trip down memory lane from literally a few months ago?) I’ll start at the beginning, the many events of the first semester. The first real high school dance was homecoming. Every 8th grader dreams of taking the perfect photos, having the best dress, and best-looking date, but I’m here to help you wake up. Homecoming is definitely not all it is cracked up to be. Most people get their photos taken and eat at the same place so don’t get upset when you have the same dress on as four other girls at the park and at Sumo. Is homecoming fun? Definitely, it’s just probably not going to be what you expected. After homecoming was Dover-Phila week, which is just as fun as middle school, nothing really special, but hopefully the dress-up days will be better this year. The bonfire is still the best part of fall. After that, things chill out until holiday breaks, which are the same. Then there’s the second semester. It will fly by faster than any other semester before. You get back from break and there are possible class changes and testing, there’s prom and end-of-year celebrations and spring sports, the spring musical, and it’ll be here way sooner than you think. During my freshman year, I got to go to Disney over spring break as a member of the choir. Disney is everything and more than you could ever want. If you plan to go with our music department, I highly recommend it.
Now for the anticipated advice: my first tidbit is don’t act immature during lunch. We all just want to eat and not think about our next class, so please don’t do anything to make Mr. Ifft yell. Secondly, my advice for the scariest thing in the world, dropping your supplies in the middle of the hallway, is just don’t make a scene. Chances are if it’s a lot of stuff someone will help you, but don’t say anything and don’t throw your head back. Just grab it all off the floor and get to your next class. Unless you fall down multiple stairs, no one will really notice anything happened. My advice for homecoming is to absolutely not overthink it. Get the first dress you love, don’t worry about matching anyone or if it’s not an exact fit. What matters is how you feel wearing it. Don’t think you have to go to a fancy restaurant or hire a photographer either, just eat somewhere you’ve been before with reasonable prices and good food. As for photos, as long as you have a few parents around with decent iPhones, your photos will look great. One Instagram post isn’t worth breaking your parent’s bank account. The most important advice for homecoming might just be do not get shoes you can’t walk in! You can’t dance with broken ankles!
So there you have it, my stories and advice. Heed them wisely and don’t forget who you are. High school should be about having fun while you can. Don’t overthink it too much. You only have four years, spend every second you have doing what you love with who you love.
