For many students, the transition from middle school to high school can feel both exciting and intimidating. New teachers, harder classes, increased independence, and a larger campus often create nervousness among incoming freshmen. However, upperclassmen say the summer before freshman year is the perfect time to prepare mentally, socially, and academically for the next four years.
Many students enter high school unsure of what to expect, but current seniors say keeping an open mind is one of the most important things freshmen can do.
“Go in with an open mind and don’t be afraid to try new things,” said Adrika Chowdhury. “High school is a fresh start, so join clubs, talk to new people, explore your interests, and focus on being yourself.”
Adrika Chowdhury explained that many freshmen struggle during their first year because of the sudden increase in responsibility. According to her, balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social life can become stressful if students are not prepared.
“One of the biggest challenges is adjusting to the increased responsibility,” Adrika Chowdhury said. Classes are faster, teachers expect more independence, and balancing homework, activities, and social life can feel overwhelming at first. She also found that participating in school activities made high school easier and more enjoyable.
“Getting involved helped a lot, whether it was clubs, sports, or just participating in class,” Adrika Chowdhury said. “Building a small circle of supportive friends also made a big difference.”
Another senior, Pablo Delcid, said freshmen should remember to enjoy high school while still thinking about their future goals.
“I would tell them to enjoy their journey during those four years because time goes by quickly, and when you realize it, it’s the last year of high school,” Pablo Delcid said. “I also want them to think about their future and have fun.”
Pablo Delcid shared that one of his biggest challenges during freshman year was adjusting to a new language and environment. He explained that the experience taught him patience and perseverance.
“The biggest challenge I faced at the beginning was learning a new language because I didn’t know English very well, and it took me a moment to get better at it,” Pabol Delcid said. “At the end, everything became easier for me.”
Like many freshmen, Pablo Delcid admitted he worried about fitting in and succeeding in high school. However, he learned that support from friends and staying positive helped him to overcome those fears.
“I used to worry about my life because I thought it was going to be difficult, and it kind of was,” Pablo Delcid said. “But then I realized you don’t have to worry about things you can’t control, and I made some friends that helped me a lot.”
Both seniors also reflected on the mistakes that they made during high school and what incoming freshmen could learn from them.
“One common mistake that I made was procrastinating, worrying too much about what others think, and not asking for help when needed,” Adrika Chowdhury said.
Pablo Delcid agreed, adding that staying forced academically is extremely important from the start.
“If I could be a freshman again, I would focus more on my grades and my credits so that at the end it can be easier,” Pablo Delcid said.
Although starting high school may feel overwhelming, upperclassmen believe preparation, confidence, and involvement can help incoming freshmen succeed. As summer begins, students have the opportunity to prepare for one of the biggest transitions of their school careers.
