All of us have been freshmen at some point. In fact, some of you may be freshmen reading this right now! If you are, then this article is perfect for you as we dive into how you can be successful high school students during your time at Morris Hills. We at the Hilltopper asked seniors what their advice would be for freshmen to have a great and successful high school experience.
Aside from suggesting learning hallway etiquette, many seniors explained the importance of kindness and respect. Whether it’s a student, teacher, staff member, or anyone, they should be treated with respect. This is a core value here at Morris Hills and will be valuable throughout your entire life.
Also, various students gave academic tips and tricks to succeed. They explained that high school is much different than middle school. You’ll have more work and there’ll be a lot going on. However, seniors recommend that freshmen work hard and try their best from day one. Time management is essential to managing high school work and personal life. It is an important skill to master, so start working on it now. Your hard work WILL pay off!
Next, get involved! Whether it’s joining a club, sport, or other extracurricular activities/groups. It might be scary at first, but Kelly Zeman explains that “it’s really helpful making new friends.” Bethany Soto added, “It’s the best way to meet people, gain leadership experiences, and you may really enjoy it!.” Our high school has over 50 clubs (not including sports). We have everything from theater, art, cultural groups, community service, and more! There is something for everyone, and when you find your group of people and your club, the community and friendships you build will be unmatched.
Another popular piece of advice has to do with friends. While a lot of freshmen students grew up together, as a regional school you will branch out and befriend other people. Bethany Soto suggests freshmen to “become friends with all different kinds of people because high school is a time of a lot of change and you want to discover your people.”
Some of you may find it easy to make friends while others may take more time to connect with others or socialize. It’s okay – we’re all going at our own pace! Whether it’s one close friend or a group of friends, these relationships and friendships are ones you’ll remember for the rest of your life. And contrary to popular belief, even having just one close friend is great too! Phoebe Abboud reminds us to “Be content with small friend groups. You don’t need a thousand friends.”
In summary, the keys to success in high school consist of learning respect, working hard, getting involved, and finding your community and friends. Transitioning from middle school to high school can be hard, and that’s okay. You have the ability to determine your future. Make smart choices now and your future self will thank you.
If you would like some guidance or help with anything whether it’s a question in class or whatever it may be, don’t hesitate to ask for help! As Kelly Zeman said, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, everyone needs help at times,” so whether it’s a teacher, guidance counselor, or trusted adult, never be afraid to ask. Finally, to all the freshmen, as you navigate this journey through high school, remember to enjoy it! It’ll be gone before you know it.