Last month, forms were sent out to freshmen and seniors, asking them to give advice they wished they had received entering freshman year and advice for upcoming freshmen respectively.
The responses varied greatly in nature from grade to grade.
In the freshmen’s form, common answers were to stay on top of classwork or to avoid AP Human Geography at all costs.
Others were less brief and more heartfelt. Freshman Riley McNally responded saying that he wished someone had told his eighth-grader self to be open to meeting new people.
“I originally thought I wouldn’t make any friends entering high school besides the ones from elementary and middle school,” McNally wrote. “I didn’t truly start talking to anyone until the middle of the second semester and after I opened up to others. I’ve found some of the closest friends I have in years, the kind of guys I’d have as the best men in my wedding later on in life.”
In contrast to the freshmen’s answers, most of the advice given by seniors shared an optimistic tone.
“Be yourself, do what you wanna do, and get out there early [to] meet new people,” suggested senior Xavier Reyes.
Senior Sina Teckle also promoted individuality.
“High school is not about a competition, it’s all about what you achieve and how you achieve it. So don’t compare yourself with your friends but work hard and achieve your goals. Have fun,” she advised.
