Freshman year I was 4’11” and the top flier on our cheerleading team. I got made fun of because I was always dropped on my face at assemblies and football games. I was scared of the people, scared of the workload, and scared I wasn’t going to “fit in.” Isn’t that a stereotypical 14-year-old’s fear?
If I could compare my freshman self to myself now, I see myself as a completely different person.
I used to walk down the halls looking at the floor and I tried to avoid any eye contact with anyone between passing periods. I felt safer that way.
There are many things I wish I could tell my freshman self, many things I wish my freshman self knew that maybe could have helped her become more confident sooner.
There is no such thing as a “clique,” there aren’t groups of girls that walk around putting down the “unpopular” kids. Instead they wear sweatshirts and leggings and walk down the hallways with their eyes glued to their phones, not really caring about the people around them.
Freshman Friday isn’t a thing. The big and bad quarterback of our “amazing” football team will not throw a timid ninth grader in a trashcan, and no one gets shoved into lockers.
Its okay to fail tests and essays. When you get your first failed test or essay back you will probably think the teacher is crazy by accidentally writing 58 percent instead of 98 percent, but its really 58 percent. You just have to suck it up. Maybe instead of trying to perfect your Tumblr blog you should have been studying that math chapter.
Don’t think using Sparknotes will help you. English teachers are not dumb, they will not take questions straight off Sparknotes so you get all the answers right. In fact, some of them will test you on things that specifically aren’t on Sparknotes or Shmoop. So just read the book.
Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Just because some people already have their set “group of friends” does not mean they’re completely off limits to talk to. This will also help you find people to walk with between passing periods. Also, if you do walk by yourself between passing periods, people don’t think you’re a loser. Most people aren’t even paying attention.
Go to as many school events as you can. I’m not just saying this because I’m in ASB and I’m trying to promote activities, but because even though you think high school is going to take forever, it goes by in a blink. Take advantage of the fun events like prom, winter formal, homecoming and sports games like football and basketball. Those fun things are what you will be remembering from your high school career, not how to GPERSIA.
Be in Screamin’ Scots. What’s more fun than cheering on our awesome sports teams? Even when we’re losing, make the best of it. If we lose a basketball game to Sequoia by 50 points, its always fun to sing “We Are The Champions” at the end.
Use these four years to find yourself. I came into high school as a timid and less than five feet tall girl, not really knowing much about anything. High school has helped me learn more about not only society and the world that we live in, but my part in it.
I joined feminist club because I discovered I am passionate about female equality.
I joined Journalism because I like to inform people through writing and broadcasting. I ended up as the class Business Manager and Editor-in-Chief of ScotCenter, our broadcasting program.
I joined ASB because I was passionate about school spirit and organizing events. I wanted to help make Carlmont more than just an academic place where you take your classes and leave. I learned that I am a leader and I can control a group of people.
Even my more academically involved friends found their passions.
If I hadn’t taken up Journalism or ASB or joined feminist club or gone to football games or joined Screamin’ Scots then I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
High school is not the “make it or break it” part of your life. Not everyone will “peak” or find themselves. For some people it takes more time.
In the grand scheme of things, don’t take high school for granted and really try to take on every opportunity you can.
