by Alexis Trevino and Harmoni Guerrero
Hey, new freshman-
Walking into high school for these first weeks can be a lot of information. It wasn’t that long ago that I was a new freshman figuring out our new world at Holmes. In middle school, you had no room to express yourself, but here it’s a whole different book. You have the freedom to be yourself and not let anyone get in the way of you being you.
So, here’s our advice:
Do not let anyone interrupt you from putting yourself out there. Wear what you want, say what you want, and be happy. Being who you truly want to be is most important, so don’t try to fit in or be the best at something because you think you have to, and then you become someone you’re not and end up unhappy with who you are. Participate in everything you’re interested in and make choices that will make you the happiest. At the end of the day, it’s all about you and what makes you enjoy high school.
Trust me when I say this, you want to join sports and clubs.
I joined sports and clubs because I wanted to learn outside of what middle school provided. I joined amazing clubs like student council and HOSA and met amazing people. It was the beginning of a social life here. But there are so many other clubs that you could create great memories in like recycling club, interact club, Spanish club, and art club. I joined basketball and track where I built bonds that are unbreakable, and great relationships with coaches. Being in sports and clubs helps you a lot in maintaining good grades and makes you look really good when applying for colleges.
And we have to talk about grades. Being a freshman, it’s easy to put off homework, class work, and essays, but it’s the worst idea. It’s important to pass at all costs because your main goal here in high school is to cross a stage and graduate. Freshman year is the most important; it determines how well you will do the rest of your high school years. It also determines your starting off GPA and to start off bad, it becomes really hard to bounce back. Just start your work when asked, finish all essays on time, and try your absolute hardest to score as high as possible. You delay any kind of learning by procrastinating and holding things off for unnecessary things like friends, drugs, and relationships, and putting those things first don’t last.
I know relationships can seem like the number one priority coming from middle school, but trust me, if your girlfriend/boyfriend is going to get in the way of your success and dreams, then they’re not good for you. You need to put him or her off to the side because your future is what truly matters.
I get it, coming into high school you want the first guy/girl that gives you some sort of affection, but you can’t always depend on them even if it may seem like it. You don’t want to be left behind, so put what truly matters first and whatever else second. With that said, I’m not saying you can’t have a him or her in your life, we’re simply saying to find someone who motivates you and strives for goals just as much as you do.
With your second week of high school underway, it’s important to listen to the advice of people who have walked where you are walking. Don’t get distracted. Focus. Make healthy choices with your future in mind. Future you will thank you.