Advice to Freshman | My Sophomore Year

Shannon H.
Aug 28, 2016
3 min read

I know going into high school is scary and intimidating. New people, new place, new teachers, new everything. Oddly enough I wasn't as nervous to go into high school as I had expected. I wanted to be prepared before going into my freshman year so I watched videos on advice to freshmen and going into high school. I thought I would make a list of my advice and tips to consider before going into high school.

Social Advice~

1. Friends are important. I'm not saying that you need loads of friends, but having one or two in each class will make things easy, especially for missed notes and test or exam studying.

2. Don't spread drama. Usually when drama is going around it is about a lot of negativity which won't help you in anyway, if anything it may harm you and your friendships.

3. Your friend group will change. In the ninth grade taking gym is mandatory (for me anyway) and that is where I made most of my friends. In your first year you probably won't separate from the friends you came to school with but you will make more friends and eventually drift away from older friends. I'm not saying it will for sure happen but it usually does.

4. Don't ditch friends for boys.

Studying & Working Advice~

1. Studying helps but don't over studying. One of my worst subjects was physics because, a) I understood literally nothing and b) I would cram all of the information in the night before. This means I would become extremely stressed and worried which made my concentration horrible.

2. DO YOUR WORK. Some teachers are strict and don't allow phones in their class at all. Others are fine as long as you're doing your work. Honestly if you're doing something on your phone other than researching or listening to music, you're distracted. Put the phone away and do your work, if you don't it will be homework.

3. Take notes. I understand it is tedious and painful to do but when exams come around you will be prepared and have great study notes. No one remembers what they learn during the beginning of the semester so having notes will help refresh and remind you of the units.

General Advice~

1. Don't skip. I know that it's "cool" to skip classes but what are you going to do? Sit in the hallway for an hour?

2. Walk on the right side of the hallway. In my school, and I'm pretty sure most schools, walking on the right side of the hallway is the proper side. This helps prevent you from bumping into people.

3. Do not stand in the middle of the hallway or have social gatherings in the middle of the hallway. If you want to gather a group of people around do it outside.

4. Relationships aren't everything. Don't put someone before your school work. Most relationships don't last so focus on your academics.

5. Be nice to teachers. They're trying their best to help you and if you don't put effort in and you're rude your teachers won't care to help you get your grades up.

6. Hygiene. I think this one is one of the most important. Wear deodorant, take showers, be cleanly. If you have gym make sure you're prepared. I had it first period which meant I was gross and sweaty the entire day but I brought extra deodorant and body spray to smell less disgusting. My school had showers but since we only have 3 minutes between classes I never had enough time. Find out what works for you.

That's all I could think of. Don't forget it's only four years. As long as you're trying you'll be fine. Upper class men won't bother you unless you bother them. Some of your classes may suck whether it be the subject or teacher, but it's only one semester. If you stick with a good group of friends and you don't start drama and keep to yourself everything will be fine.

-Sincerely,

A Sophomore