1. High school is different from 8th grade but not as much as you’d think.

You’ve been wearing big kid pants and changing classes on a schedule for long enough that these things aren’t foreign. Sure, it’s a new and bigger building and the classes are a step up, but it’s nothing that you can’t handle.

2. If you get lost or need help, just ask.

There’s always pride standing in the way of people asking for help. Usually, people are afraid of sounding dumb, even if the situation is absolutely understandable. Get over that now. Throughout your high school career, you will need help. If you don’t ask you’re going to flounder until you’re in trouble. Chances are upperclassmen will be happy to help, and so will teachers.

3. Figure out traffic flow.

The halls are overwhelming enough without people wandering in a zigzag fashion. Walk on the right side of the hall and treat it somewhat like traffic. Cars don’t stop in clumps in the middle of the road. Neither should you. If you need to stop pull over to the convenient side of the hall/road.

5. Upperclassmen.

There are always the rumors that upperclassmen are scary giants that will push you into lockers. This is utterly ridiculous. A lot of you all have potential to be taller than upperclassmen and they aren’t generally out to harass freshman. On the other hand, upperclassmen have already gone up a level in a sense and deserve due respect. They’ve already survived freshman year, now it’s your turn.

6. You will survive.

Speaking of survival, you’ll be fine. Unless you are deliberately trying to fail, you will get through freshman year just fine. Now, it definitely gets harder from freshman year, so if you feel like you won’t survive freshman year and you’re putting genuine effort in, refer to #2.

7. Chances are your friends or friend group will change.

High school is a huge growing up process. People will change. People will fall into groups. A lot of the time this is based on a common activity. Sports teams bond, the band bonds, show choir bonds, clubs bond. Spending lots of time with people that have common interests is usually a successful recipe for friendships. Now, this also means some people will separate into different groups. It happens, again, you will survive, but it definitely won’t be fun.

8. Join up.

You’ve probably been attacked from all sides with instructions for this year. Participate in clubs is one of the main suggestions. That’s because it’s actually a good idea. There are those few who end up in 7-10 extracurriculars, but 1-4 is probably most reasonable. Actually, four is even a lot. Pick some things that genuinely interest you and invest in them.

9. Always high-five Mr. Baccus.

Unless you have older siblings or an older friend you may not know about this. Mr. Baccus offers high-fives to every passing student. Participate, it’s a school tradition.

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