How to Survive as a Freshman

Oct 9

By Siyeon Jung

Freshman life

Middle school is over. Suddenly, you have new teachers, new classes, and a whole new life as a freshman.

Freshman year can be difficult when you’re adapting to a completely new environment. However, high school also gives you more freedom and opportunities to learn, explore, and try new things. Maybe many freshmen have this question but never say it out loud: “Am I really ready for high school?” What do you think?

The truth is, no one expects you to be perfect. Freshman year is about learning, adapting, making mistakes, and finding your way. It’s just the first step toward the next three years of high school.

How to Survive as a Freshman: Don’t Worry!

How do we survive as freshmen? Many people might think this question sounds exaggerated, but honestly, it isn’t. In middle school, everyone talks about how scary high school will be, almost like it is a huge wall we have to climb.

If I could tell middle school students one thing before they enter high school, I would say, “Don’t worry.” Your friends, parents, and teachers will probably tell you the same thing, “You’ll be fine.”

When I was in 8th grade, I didn’t believe it. I thought, “How do you know I’ll be fine? What if I fail everything?” But once high school started, I realized that, though your surroundings and teachers may change, you can adapt.

To survive as a freshman, talk to your teachers and try new things. Join clubs, enter competitions, or try sports, even though I don’t play one! You never know what you might enjoy or even what could become part of your future career.

Remember, “Practice makes perfect.” The more you try, the more you learn about yourself and the better you can become. Grades are important, but keep in mind that we’re freshmen! We’re totally new to this.

Few Tips to Become a Successful “Freshman”

To become a successful freshman, here are three simple tips:

1. Communication

Don’t be afraid to speak up! Talk to your teachers and friends. If you’re sick or going on a trip and need an extension, email your teacher, explain your situation, and ask for help. Good communication keeps you on track, helps you make friends, and lets your teachers know what you understand, or don’t understand.

2. Organization

Keep your life and your workspace organized! Organization helps you set your pace, keep up with classes and assignments, and stay focused. A clean workspace can mean less stress and more time to get things done.

3. Participation

Don’t just stay quiet, jump in to activities! The more you participate, the more you get from the experience. By participating and learning, you gain knowledge that can help you in daily life and in the future. So show your work, try new things, and make the most of your high school experience!

There will be challenges and difficult moments along the way, but that’s part of the journey. Be optimistic, trust yourself, and keep going.

We will get through this!

Kharis Ott