Dear Freshman
Dear Freshmen,
With school quickly approaching, I wanted to let you know some things that I wish I knew going into freshmen year at RJ.
- Be Yourself
I believe the most important thing is to be yourself. Don’t change yourself because you think it’ll make people like you more. This might be obvious, but more often than not, you’ll find yourself changing to please other people. I know from experience that not being afraid of what others think of you will allow you to have a much better high school experience and a much better life.
- Put Yourself out There
Along with being yourself, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. That way it’s easier to make friends. I wish I would have gotten more out of my comfort zone freshman year. Even though I was shy and quiet, I believe that if I had put myself out there, even just a little bit, my freshmen year could have been completely different.
- Start Strong with Your GPA
Another important thing is your GPA. You work toward your GPA all of high school. Although that’s not the nicest thing to think about, it is important. Freshman year is when you build the base of your GPA. It’s a lot harder to get your GPA back up when it’s low. So, work hard and put in the effort, because, in the end, it’ll be worth it.
- Take Advantage of the Time You Have
Believe it or not, high school will go by in a blink of an eye. You start as a freshman thinking you have 4 years to do everything, but those 4 years go by fast. I’m a junior and I feel like freshmen year was only a couple months ago. Go to the dances, have fun at the football games, and join clubs, because before you realize it, high school will be over.
- Friends Change
Friends will come and go. It’s something you have to learn to accept. It may be hard at first, but it gets easier, especially when you make a new friend and new memories. If someone wants to leave your life, let them leave. It’s not your loss, it’s theirs. Find your self-worth inside you, not other people.
- Be Friends with Your Teachers
Your teachers are there to help you, but you don’t have to only see them as an authority figure. Being friends with your teachers can make high school that much better.
- Don’t Make Dating Your First Priority
Focus on yourself, especially during freshmen year. You have so much to focus on, you don’t need a relationship along with everything else. Besides, relationships typically don’t last in high school. Focus on yourself and making friends. You have your entire life ahead of you to date.
Remember to have fun! Your high school years are when you can find yourself. Don’t be afraid, put yourself out there, and be yourself. Keep an open mind and an open heart, and you’ll have great high school experiences.
Yours Truly,
Serena Nguyen ‘22
