“Is high school hard?”

“Are the teachers mean?”

“What if I get lost?”

I remember asking these questions and plenty more when I first started out, trust me I know how it feels. Going from middle school to high school can be a struggle. Many students feel overwhelmed when starting out, from the maze-like hallways, to the hoards of people. Here are a few tips every student should know to have a successful freshman year.

Ask Questions

If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask. It’s ok to ask for extra help if you don’t understand, it will only benefit you in the long run . Don’t believe the stereotypes, the upperclassmen are not all mean to the freshmen. If you have any questions about clubs, classes or events, we are happy to help. We’ve experienced it all before, we know what’s going on.

Stay Organized

One of the most important things you will need to learn in high school is how to stay organized. Managing your school work is crucial in high school, you don’t want to lose any assignments because you stuck it in your backpack and then forgot about it. Buy a bunch of folders, notebooks and a binder, so you always know where everything is.

Focus On Your Grades

As a freshman, it may not seem important to get good grades, or to focus on what colleges are looking for, but it is. One of the biggest mistakes you can make on your freshman year is to blow it off. I hate to say it, but the years only get harder. Your first year is the chance to develop good study habits and strong work ethics. I’m not saying that you should study all the time and not hang out with friends and family, but make sure to prioritize your time.

Be Yourself

I know we hear it all the time, but honestly, it’s true. Don’t let others determine who you are. Surround yourself with people who actually care about you and love you for you, whether that’s 2 or 20 people. You should never have to change just to “fit in.”