As the new 2024-25 school year starts, a new batch of freshmen have been introduced. Some are lost, some are excited, and some are nervous. Whatever the case, here is a summary of some advice from experienced seniors who have been through it all to help out these new high schoolers.
What are some necessities you recommend for emergencies or just in general?
One of the worst feelings is coming to school and realizing you forgot something important or running into an emergency where you regret not bringing something, so we asked people what they bring for these cases. Many people recommended bringing chargers, extra pens and pencils, and some spare cash for school events or as lunch money. Some also recommended bringing extra feminine products and water, and even white-out.
How do you recommend dealing with a strict teacher who grades harshly?
Almost every year, we always have that one teacher that either doesn’t seem to like you or is just very strict. If they aren’t too strict, the most recommended solution was to try and get on their good side with gifts, conversations, and putting in effort in that subject. If they really are too strict for you or they seem to have something against you, the best response would be to contact your counselor and talk to them about it. Hopefully, they will help you get another teacher so you can go up to your full potential in that class.
What would you say is the biggest mistake you made in your freshman year?
We all want to avoid making mistakes, especially in high school where it feels like every assignment is 100x more important than middle school and failing one assignment will result in you becoming homeless. However, if we can learn from others’ mistakes, we are more likely to avoid them. Not dropping a class you struggle with was a big regret for most. People also said not joining clubs, or starting their YES hours. Also, make sure you keep track of the credits you need to graduate.
What was the hardest lesson you had to learn at school?
For a lot of people, starting high school is a big jump, and you have to get used to bigger workloads, more people, and no one babying you anymore. Everyone will go through hard times, and it can feel like you’re alone and nobody else experiences these things. However, almost everyone goes through them. Academically, many people struggled with procrastination or the opposite – burnout. These seniors said the most important thing was to remember that “sometimes your best is all you can give it”. They also said to stay productive and on top of your work. Outside of school, the responses were that “some people are just mean and you just can’t change that”. People also struggled with learning that you have to work hard towards your dreams, whether that be with sports, college, career, etc.
What clubs do you recommend joining?
Joining clubs is recommended by everyone, but here are some clubs specific to Clements that a lot of people love – student council, red cross, GYHO, and really just anything related to your career interest or something you enjoy doing. It’s important to remember that clubs aren’t for everyone, and that it’s ok if you’re not interested in them.
What are some events that you think freshmen shouldn’t miss out on?
It’s important to remember that school can be fun, and you can show school spirit in a lot of ways. Some important events are I-Fest, homecoming (and the game), spirit days, games for any sport, and club fair. A big part of high school is making memories with friends, so what better way to do that than attending these events while showing school pride?
Who is your favorite teacher for talking to, ranting, and just hanging out with?
A way we can get advice that’s more specific to Clements is the teachers. The most voted choice for favorite teachers were John Robertson and Christopher Turner. Some other popular ones are Daniel Ruiz, Joshua Fugel, Amber Brooks, Jeffrey Stirl, Todd Francis, and John Clingman. It’s always good to be friendly with your teachers as this can boost your mood, seeing them on a bad day, and it can also help you come out of your shell and be more outgoing.
