Advice for the Freshmen: How to Survive

David Pang, Lower School Editor
September 10, 2012
Filed under Features

1. Make use of your free time- Entering high school you’re given more freedom.  Instead of the Study Hall middle schoolers experience, free periods have been entrusted to you.  Make use of these frees and don’t ALWAYS spend them goofing off with your friends.  When you have to cram for a test or finish a paper, remember your productive

Study Hall days and manage your time widely.

P.S. If you would really like to goof off during frees, go right on ahead.  Just make sure if you have a test, to sit next to quiet people during lunch so you can study

2. Work hard, it counts- I’m sure your counselors have been stressing that ninth grade year is the year to try new things and do your best in school because colleges will see it.  Well let me tell you something, counselors know what they’re talking about.  So listen to your teachers, and give “hard work” a go.

3. Go and enjoy events like Frosh and Winter Ball- Events like these are fun and are not to be missed.  Create memories and make new friends.  Dance with a special someone and enjoy your ninth grade year.  Have you ever wondered what’s worse: trying something and wishing you hadn’t, or not trying anything at all?  Well here’s the answer: not trying anything at all.

4. English speeches- One of the biggest things stressed in your ninth grade year is English and speeches.  My advice? Practice them!  They make a big part of your grade if you would like to get into English 10 Honors and you will learn a lot.  This year you will also have an English exam speech/essay which will be worth 20% of your year grade.  Practice your speeches and it will make life much easier.

5. The PSAT- This is the first year students take the PSAT.  While it doesn’t count for anything other than an assessment of your skills, you should try your best.  Who knows, maybe English teachers look at it to decide whether you should go to honors . . .