Freshman year in high school can be both exciting and intimidating. It’s an exciting time with possibilities, challenges, and opportunities for personal and academic growth.
Middle school and high school can be very different in many ways. In middle school, the assignments are simpler and take way less time and more guidance from the teachers while in high school you should prepare for more assignments, difficult projects, and higher standards for independent learning. The curriculum is tougher, with a stronger focus on knowledge application and critical thinking.
Another way that high school is different from middle school is that in middle school social groups may be more transparent, and conformity is valued more heavily. In high school, the social groups can become stronger. There’s more variation in personalities and hobbies, which makes it easier to find friends who share your interests.
In middle school, the teachers and parents are usually more involved with the schoolwork and are on top of your grades. This is different from high school because in high school more accountability for learning is expected of students, including time management, meeting deadlines, and asking for help when necessary.
In high school grades have a significant impact on your future academic and career opportunities. High school grades play a crucial role in determining college admissions. Colleges evaluate your academic ability and dedication by considering your GPA which is why you should not flunk in your freshman year and take the most classes available to you.
A lot of scholarships are given out due to academic achievement. This can decrease the financial cost of college and can be achieved by maintaining good grades. Also, aiming for high grades encourages the growth of critical abilities like self-control, perseverance, and time management that are useful outside of school.
As a freshman, interactions with upperclassmen can vary widely from good and bad. Many upperclassmen are friendly and willing to give advice and support. Participating in groups and events can provide positive connections and possibilities for guidance. On the other hand, freshmen may be considered naive by some upperclassmen at first, but you can gain their respect by treating them with respect, compassion, and an open mind.
It’s normal to feel intimidated by senior students, particularly in a new and larger setting. But keep in mind that most people are sympathetic and understanding because everyone was a freshman once.
I did find a group of friends within the first couple of months of school and that helped me with getting comfortable in the school because most of my friends from middle school went to a different high school which was very nerve-wracking, especially in the first weeks of school.
I recommend joining lots of clubs or classes that have a lot of involvement because it helped me a lot when trying to find people who have similar interests as me. I also made a friend at orientation who is now one of my closest friends and introduced me to a lot of people who have now become some of my closest friends.
In middle school, I did have trouble with friends on multiple occasions. One was with someone who used to be one of my closest friends since 7th grade.
I had told her about a guy I liked and had had a huge crush on for a couple of months and I didn’t think much of it. Then out of nowhere, I started piecing it together that she had been talking to him for like a week from some things others were saying. I confronted her about it, and she said didn’t want to hurt my feelings, so she didn’t tell me. I then found out that she had told the guy that I liked him and then I stopped being friends with her and so did a lot of other people.
After a couple of months, this is not very relevant, and I forgave her for everything because it was the mature thing to do. When going to high school you should let go of grudges and not let something stupid like boys get in the way of a friendship.
