What Freshman Year In High School Is Like

I am now fifteen and a freshman. I have only been in school for two months, but feel so much older and more responsible. This is what I have learned so far.

TEACHERS EXPECT YOU TO BE RESPONSIBLE. From the first day, it was clear the teachers were not like last year, helping me almost every step of the way. They expected me to figure things out on my own and be responsible for my own learning, only coming to them for help if I couldn’t find it elsewhere or needed to consult an expert. They expect you to get your homework done; and most of my teachers will not extend deadlines on assignments unless sick or some other compelling reason.

PEOPLE CHANGE. I knew so many people from last year who fooled around and failed their classes, only to buck up this year and put in actual effort. I also had former friends change, and our friendships faded away. Some of my old friendships became stronger as well, and people I only faintly knew from last year, I have gotten to know more and become friends with them.

YOU WILL MEET NEW PEOPLE. I actually only have a few people I know in each of my classes, most I have never talked to or met, because I only went to one of two middle schools in my area. People I was close to in my classes last year, I either hardly see or have classes with, but we are split up. I’ve made friends with kids from both middle schools, upperclassmen in my classes, girls of all grades on my cross country team, and new kids to the area.

LEARN TO MANAGE TIME. This is something that I have to do. I am tackling cross country from 2:50–5:00/5:30, meets, team dinners, etc. and a few clubs and extra-curricular activities, tutoring, and homework. Prioritize and be prepared to work ahead, on weekends, and staying up late to work on homework. Take every free second you can, like a study hall, or time in class, to do homework. I do homework on the bus between meets.

DO EXTRA-CURRICULARS AND PURSUE YOUR INTERESTS. If you have a sport you enjoy, do it! My cross country team has become like a family to me, and most of them do track as well, and I spend so much of my time with them, so bonding is essential. I enjoy writing and French, so I do clubs for those. It is a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests.

UPPER-CLASSMEN ARE HIT OR MISS. Ones in my classes are nice, as well as the ones on my cross country team, but some, especially sophomores, like to poke fun and be mean to lower classmen. Just ignore it, find upperclassmen that can help you navigate and survive high school.

WAKE-UP CALL. I realized how much older I am now, and how important my grades, time-management, and learning to be responsible are. College is only 3–4 years off, and I need to apply myself for the real world.

HAVE FUN. Don’t just stress about grades and GPAs, make memories at football games, dances, school activities, everything! You want to look back with some good memories of your younger life.

-I will continue updating with more lessons I learn throughout high school. Enjoy!