5 answers
Danika
Student
Woodburn, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
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What are some of the biggest pieces of advice you could give for incoming freshmen?
I'm 14 and I'm going to be in 9th grade, I am very nervous because I'm not sure what to expect. Is it really as bad as people say it is? I've heard some people say they loved it and some people say they hated it.
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5 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Danika, making the switch from middle school to high school is a nerve-wracking change for many students. For some reason, the idea of changing to a new school full of new teachers and new students can be very overwhelming. May I suggest you start building a relationships with your teachers, especially the ones related to a possible future career. For example, getting to know your Physics teacher may help you in the long run if you’re interested in Engineering. So many benefits come from just knowing your teachers and counselors. You can ease the process of talking to them without feeling nervous and improve your learning by just getting to know them. Having a good relationship with them can help with future opportunities, and by Junior year, you’ll have a wonderful selection of teachers for writing recommendation letters for college.
REMINDER YOUR NOT ALONE – While you may feel like the only one who is struggling, remember that hundreds of other students are going through the exact thing you are – and that’s just in your school alone, kids all over the country are making the same transition. It may be difficult at first but you’ll adjust and find your place.
JOIN A CLUB/TAKE UP A SPORT – Whether you want to learn something new or make new friends, joining a club or taking up a new sport is a great way to do it. Even if you feel like you have nothing in common with the other kids in the group, that won’t be true for long – you’ll bond through club activities.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP – There is no shame in needing or asking for help. In fact, if you don’t ask for help you could just be putting yourself in a more difficult situation that may be easily solved simply by asking for help. Take advantage of your guidance counselor as well as your teachers.
BE OPEN TO NEW FRIENDS – Even if you have some friends from middle school who are joining you in high school, you should be open to expanding your friend group. The more students you know and have friendships with, the less alone and overwhelmed you are going to feel. You’ll actually enjoy your high school experience.
PAY ATTENTION IN CLASS
DO YOUR HOMEWORK – Nobody loves homework but keeping up with your classwork is very important if you are going to do well in high school. It may not seem important to you at the time but when it comes time to apply to college you’ll be glad you made the effort.
DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN – High school can be difficult and scary at times, but it can also be fun! There are plenty of student activities to take advantage of and new friends to be made. Enter high school with a willing heart and an open mind, and you’ll be fine.
Some students enter high school with their eyes already on college. But stay in the moment and make the most of your four years in high school. If you have a bad day, remember a bad day only lasts 24 hours. It's a moment in time and then you go on. Enjoy your high new high school.
Hope this will be helpful Danika
REMINDER YOUR NOT ALONE – While you may feel like the only one who is struggling, remember that hundreds of other students are going through the exact thing you are – and that’s just in your school alone, kids all over the country are making the same transition. It may be difficult at first but you’ll adjust and find your place.
JOIN A CLUB/TAKE UP A SPORT – Whether you want to learn something new or make new friends, joining a club or taking up a new sport is a great way to do it. Even if you feel like you have nothing in common with the other kids in the group, that won’t be true for long – you’ll bond through club activities.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP – There is no shame in needing or asking for help. In fact, if you don’t ask for help you could just be putting yourself in a more difficult situation that may be easily solved simply by asking for help. Take advantage of your guidance counselor as well as your teachers.
BE OPEN TO NEW FRIENDS – Even if you have some friends from middle school who are joining you in high school, you should be open to expanding your friend group. The more students you know and have friendships with, the less alone and overwhelmed you are going to feel. You’ll actually enjoy your high school experience.
PAY ATTENTION IN CLASS
DO YOUR HOMEWORK – Nobody loves homework but keeping up with your classwork is very important if you are going to do well in high school. It may not seem important to you at the time but when it comes time to apply to college you’ll be glad you made the effort.
DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN – High school can be difficult and scary at times, but it can also be fun! There are plenty of student activities to take advantage of and new friends to be made. Enter high school with a willing heart and an open mind, and you’ll be fine.
Some students enter high school with their eyes already on college. But stay in the moment and make the most of your four years in high school. If you have a bad day, remember a bad day only lasts 24 hours. It's a moment in time and then you go on. Enjoy your high new high school.
Hope this will be helpful Danika
Mia Moore
2
Answers
Updated
Mia’s Answer
As many have said, it’s very normal to feel nervous when starting something new. In short, remember basically all of your classmates are more than likely feeling similar nervousness of the unknown. It’s really not unlike the feeling of the first day of school. Freshman year naturally brings a different set of feelings because it’s the beginning of your final four years of high school. Try to remember that you’re not alone with your worries- I promise you! Do you know that even teachers can feel nervous at the beginning of a school year! It’s not unnatural to have the nervous feelings you and many other students are feeling! Take a deep breath, give yourself grace and within several weeks you’ll begin to move into the natural rhythm of the school year!
Sending you peace and enjoyment!
Sending you peace and enjoyment!
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
297
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
Hi Danika,
It's normal to have some worries in your age. It all will disappear as you grow older.
What refers to becoming a freshman, it may be challenging but rewarding experience. Over the years, you will gain new and important life experiences, beliefs, strengths and skills. There is a great future full of dreams, new discoveries, and inspiring victories for you.
It's normal to have some worries in your age. It all will disappear as you grow older.
What refers to becoming a freshman, it may be challenging but rewarding experience. Over the years, you will gain new and important life experiences, beliefs, strengths and skills. There is a great future full of dreams, new discoveries, and inspiring victories for you.
Levi Bimba
Revenue Assurance Analyst
7
Answers
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Updated
Levi’s Answer
Hi, Danika! No matter how old you get, you will be a bit nervous about moving into a new environment. High school is no different. I would say to choose your friends wisely. There will be people there that you'll instantly know after having spent a little time around them that you don't want to be friends with them. There's a Proverb in the Bible that says "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20, KJV). Essentially, choose to hang around other students who are focused and determined to do well academically and even physically in regards to being healthy and you too will be encouraged to live up to those standards.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Danika !
We never know what to expect, do we ? That's perfectly natural and any worry you have is because of your good nature to want your transition to be pleasant and welcoming. In general I hope that I can give you some advice that's not too difficult and that will set your mind at ease.
My number one piece of advice is to avoid peer pressure at all costs. The people you meet at school are not the only ones you'll ever meet or hang around with. You have peers in your neighborhood, any groups that your parents go to and take you along, friends that you see when you do your hobbies outside of school. I want to emphasize that steering away from peer pressure is very important. Be yourself and when people warm up to you, that is when you know that a friendship is possibly developing. Stand by your values and don't let anyone convince you to do something that you wouldn't ordinarily do.
Trust that this will be a new and exciting experience. New teachers, new subjects taught a new way in new classrooms. Dedicate time to your studies, projects and clubs in school. School in general could be an atmosphere in which you may see a lot of judgmental behavior happening. Just know that there will be many people who will want to hang around with you and you do not have to be friends with everyone. The great thing about you is that you know right from wrong so you can use discernment when it comes to interacting with the others at school. Don't forget your friends that you already have, though.
As far as the work is concerned, you will probably see a bit of a difference, different types of work and projects. Stay on top of all of your assignments and aim for good grades. Continue with any hobbies you have outside of school, too.
No, freshman year is not as bad as some people say. It's all based on people's individual experiences and no two experiences are alike, so it's best to go in fresh, neutral and with an open mind and remain true to yourself. I personally loved 9th grade socially as well as the learning. I think you will like your experience too !
We never know what to expect, do we ? That's perfectly natural and any worry you have is because of your good nature to want your transition to be pleasant and welcoming. In general I hope that I can give you some advice that's not too difficult and that will set your mind at ease.
My number one piece of advice is to avoid peer pressure at all costs. The people you meet at school are not the only ones you'll ever meet or hang around with. You have peers in your neighborhood, any groups that your parents go to and take you along, friends that you see when you do your hobbies outside of school. I want to emphasize that steering away from peer pressure is very important. Be yourself and when people warm up to you, that is when you know that a friendship is possibly developing. Stand by your values and don't let anyone convince you to do something that you wouldn't ordinarily do.
Trust that this will be a new and exciting experience. New teachers, new subjects taught a new way in new classrooms. Dedicate time to your studies, projects and clubs in school. School in general could be an atmosphere in which you may see a lot of judgmental behavior happening. Just know that there will be many people who will want to hang around with you and you do not have to be friends with everyone. The great thing about you is that you know right from wrong so you can use discernment when it comes to interacting with the others at school. Don't forget your friends that you already have, though.
As far as the work is concerned, you will probably see a bit of a difference, different types of work and projects. Stay on top of all of your assignments and aim for good grades. Continue with any hobbies you have outside of school, too.
No, freshman year is not as bad as some people say. It's all based on people's individual experiences and no two experiences are alike, so it's best to go in fresh, neutral and with an open mind and remain true to yourself. I personally loved 9th grade socially as well as the learning. I think you will like your experience too !