Starting high school can feel overwhelming. Freshman walk into a new environment filled with harder classes, unfamiliar faces, and pressure to figure everything out immediately. But according to seniors Sahaj Bhandari and Vaidehi Desai, the key to surviving–and enjoying–high school is simpler than most freshmen think: try new things, stay true to yourself, and don’t stress over every little mistake.

Both seniors reflected on lessons they learned throughout high school and shared advice they wish they had heard four years ago.

One major theme in both interviews was the importance of starting early and exploring opportunities. Sahaj emphasized the value of pursuing activities you genuinely care about instead of just focusing on what “looks impressive.”

“Opportunities build themselves over time,” he explained. “Starting early gives you more time to grow and make a meaningful impact.”

Vaidehi shared a similar perspective. She admitted that during freshman year, she hesitated to branch out and try new activities. It was not until sophomore year that she joined Mock Trial, which eventually helped her discover her passion for law.

“The main takeaway is to expose yourself to different things early on so you can discover what you find interesting,” she said.

Another common lesson centered around friendships and fitting in. For many freshmen, social pressure can feel like the most important part of high school. However, both seniors stressed that authenticity matters far more than popularity.

“Find your group–don’t change yourself just to fit in,” Sahaj advised. “Find people who celebrate your successes and are there for you during your failures.”

Vaidehi added that losing touch with some people is normal and shouldn’t be feared. “You will always find your people,” she said. “Just try to have fun and make as many memories as you can.”

When it came to academics, both students highlighted practical strategies that helped them succeed. Sahaj recommended actively working through problems by hand rather than simply reading solutions, especially in difficult subjects. He also encouraged students to take advantage of outside resources like educational YouTube channels and AI tools to better understand challenging concepts.

Vaidehi focused on organization as the key to balancing a busy schedule. She relied heavily on planners and calendars to manage assignments and activities, which helped her avoid procrastination and reduce stress.

“Writing everything you have to do in a list helps you get into the working mindset,” she explained. “You feel motivated to cross things off.”

The seniors also agreed that freshmen often worry too much about things that ultimately do not matter. Small embarrassing moments, awkward interactions, and concerns about social standing may seem huge in the moment, but they fade quickly.

“You pay a lot more attention to your mistakes than other people do,” Sahaj said.

Vaidehi echoed this idea, explaining that most students are too focused on themselves to judge others as harshly as freshmen expect.

Perhaps the strongest message from both interviews was to enjoy high school while it lasts. Although academics and extracurriculars are important, neither senior believed students should spend all four years stressed about grades and tests.

“These four years will be some of the most memorable of your life,” Sahaj said. “Be responsible and hardworking, and the results will follow.”

Vaidehi agreed, encouraging freshmen not to let stress consume their high school experience. “Don’t worry too much about tests and exams,” she advised. “In the long run, they matter less than you think they do at the moment.”

Both students leave behind impressive high school careers. Sahaj, a senior at the Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, serves as president of DECA, Math Club, and Economics Club, and will attend Cornell University next fall to study Applied Economics and Management. Vaidehi, a senior in the Magnet program, has been heavily involved in Mock Trial and Girls Soccer and will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she plans to major in Law and Legal Studies.

Even with their different interests and experiences, both seniors shared the same core advice: take chances, stay organized, find supportive people, and make the most of your time in high school—because it goes by faster than you think.