Dear Freshman:
Welcome to the big leagues! No pressure! The four most stressful years of your life are ahead of you. Enjoy it, though, because it will be over before you know it, I would know.
As a senior, I have spent the last four years at Springfield. From masks to the modern day, I have learned a thing or two about the ins and outs of high school. If I were going to pass on one thought about the monster you are about to attack, it would be to learn every lesson you can from your experience and enjoy it along the way. This advice is too minor to really be of help so here are some other ways to get through your freshman year and the rest of your time at Springfield.
Spread Out Your Work Over the Week
Trust me, I understand. It’s easy to pick up the phone or the Xbox controller, but schoolwork should be prioritized. I will not lie; procrastination is my middle name, and I have struggled with it all four years. Instead of actually doing my work, I would watch a YouTube video or kick a soccer ball around. Ironically, if I were to have gotten my work done effectively, I would still have time to do all the things I wanted to do and minimize the stress that accompanies procrastination. A word to the wise: do the work in small increments. Waiting to the last minute has never and will never work, ever. I would advise you to complete your homework efficiently, spread out your studying time over the week, and just avoid procrastination, although that is easier said than done.
Meet with your teachers
Establishing a solid relationship with your teachers is a key to success in high school. Lunch & Learn provides a great opportunity to ask questions and communicate with your teachers. I play sports, so I often leave my D Block classes early. Unless your teacher has a different preference, email them the night before or check in with them during Lunch & Learn that day to inform them of your dismissal. Having a strong relationship with your teachers allows for a smoother learning experience. You will feel more comfortable participating in class and asking questions. Moreover, there is a strong chance you will have your teacher again in the future or interact with them in some other way. Never burn bridges, and always treat your teacher with respect. A “thank you” after class never hurts anyone.
Be involved
One of my biggest pieces of advice would be to involve yourself in some activity, whether it is a sport, club, show, or whatever. Do something! I promise it makes it so much easier to meet new people, especially people that share your interests. I came to Springfield after attending another school for elementary school and did not know anyone. I joined the soccer team as a freshman and met some of my best friends. Even if you are unsure if you would enjoy something, like writing for the school newspaper, why not give it a try? Part of high school is trying activities and doing things that are out of your comfort zone. Involve yourself and enjoy the results.
Respect everyone
As a freshman, you will have to earn your respect in the eyes of many people. To do this, treat everyone you see with respect and kindness. Whether you learn the lesson of respect in high school or after it, you will learn it one day. You should always take a stand when you see injustice and be a friend to everyone you meet. It is not always easy, but it is how you will earn the respect of others. Also, have respect for those above you, including your teachers. Everyone is trying their best to help you succeed, so they deserve your respect because one day, you could be in their position.
Don’t get overwhelmed
Feeling overwhelmed will soon become as common an emotion as feeling happy, mad, or sad. You probably feel it now while joining a brand new school, and before your first test or at the end of your first semester, you will feel it again. When you feel like you are getting a solid footing, the big college word will start to get floated around. Then comes the visits, the essays, the applications, the emails back, and, before you know it, you will throw your graduation cap in the air.
Don’t worry; you are still a long way from that. My point is to embrace the overwhelming nature as part of the process, ask for help when you need it, but, most importantly, set a plan for yourself to stop yourself from becoming overstimulated. If you have something to do on Tuesday, do more work on Monday. Trust me, everything will work its way out.
There is always someone to help
For all the challenges I have listed above, no reasonable person thinks you can do it all alone. I thought I could, and I was very wrong. However, there are so many people in this school who are here to help you. Whether it is a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, peer tutor, or an older friend, we are all here to help you. You should always embrace that help and ask questions. People at Springfield want you to succeed, and if you are having any trouble, whether it is school-related or not, there is always someone to help you. At times, high school is the best time of your life, and sometimes it is not; that is perfectly okay and expected, but always remember, there is someone to help if needed.
So there it is, my list. It is not conclusive, though, and is nowhere close to everything you need to know for high school. That list does not exist. After all, I am just one person. I would advise you to ask people who have been through high school and, most importantly, talk with each other. I know it may seem like you are on an island at times, but there are around two hundred people who are at the same stage as you. Talk with everyone you meet and treat them with respect, and you will have an awesome high school experience. Good luck!
Enjoy it all,
Tim Schugsta, Class of 2024
