Freshman gives key to success

Freshman+gives+key+to+success

Liangston Jamesou

High school was nowhere near what I expected. I realized many things such as, you actually have to study if you want a good grade (which wasn’t necessary in middle school). While I enjoyed freshman year, there are many things that I would have done differently in retrospective.

My advice for incoming 9th graders:

Getting involved with clubs and extracurricular programs is essential to fulfill the full high school experience. During club night, look at any club that you may be interested in and show up to their first meeting. Even if you don’t think you will like a club, show up. You may end up discovering a new passion or interest that you never expected. Clubs are also a great way to meet people and make new friends. In the long run, clubs are a great way to show your involvement in school and dedication to an idea or cause.

Another regret that I have for this year is shared among many of my friends; don’t slack off academically freshman year. While you may have heard this a million times, you truly don’t understand. Taking all Pre-AP classes may have been a breeze for you in middle school, but it most likely will not be the same in high school. You may have to drop some classes, which is completely normal for students. That being said, enjoy your life and don’t spend every second slaving over grades. You need to have a proper balance between your school life and your social life.

Academics are important, but so is being social. Don’t stay confined to your small group of friends, instead go out and meet new people. It is important to have a wide variety of friends so you can broaden your view of the world. The connections you make early in the year can help you as time progresses. If you need help on a subject/assignment or need information on a club/event, having a wide array of friends is useful in these situations. Great friends can also make the difference between a boring freshmen year and one you can truly enjoy.

Don’t slack off freshman year: You have to be on top of your schoolwork and extracurriculars. However, don’t forget to enjoy it and make friends along the way. Get involved in clubs and other activities within Clements and the community. Time flies, and soon you will be at the end of freshman year looking back, wondering where it all went. Good luck!