Freshman Do's and Don'ts

TheAtlantic · 08-06-2012, 12:20 AM

(sorry if I posted this incorrectly )

do any of you Sophmores, Juniors, or Seniors have advice for surviving freshman year? (socially + academically)

ameliab12 · 08-06-2012, 12:22 AM

Don't stop walking in the middle of the hallway. Single most important rule of high school! Nobody likes "that kid."

Syoung2 · 08-06-2012, 12:34 AM

Work hard first, have fun second. You can't undo an academically bad freshman year. You will not regret it.

Get involved early. Join clubs freshman year, not junior year. Do things you love, not what looks best on a college app

Get to know teachers. Unless you go to a huge school, this can have a huge impact. A teacher that respects/likes you can go a long way. You don't have to be a teachers pet but try not to be that kid that never talks in class. At least for me, having teachers that like/respect you and vice versa can really motivate you to work hard.

Socially, don't start drama. Don't be THAT freshman that everyone hates.

Hope I've helped!

Weeknd · 08-06-2012, 12:34 AM

^^ THIS TIMES A THOUSAND.

DO: Get involved in ECs, Make impressions on your teachers, do community service.
Don'ts: Obsess over schoolwork or relationships etc have fun, don't get lazy at any point during the year. I'll post more as i see if the post gets more hits

twentythirteen · 08-06-2012, 12:56 AM

Don't be annoying or super loud or stupid.

Upperclassmen will like/tolerate you then :P

elf4EVA · 08-06-2012, 01:04 AM

Don't think you're superior to sophomores or any upperclassmen. They'll think you're being a snob. But also don't let anyone belittle you just because you're a freshman. My two cents, even though I'm only a sophomore :P

ameliab12 · 08-06-2012, 01:08 AM

I really don't think you should worry too much about academics or take yourself too seriously freshman year. And this is coming from a person who messed up a lot in freshman year by not doing work and probably missed out on some top schools because of it. Though I regret letting it get so bad, I still think that a 14-year-old is a kid and should be allowed--and expected--to act like one. Don't grow up too fast and find that ou missed out on being a kid!

ShadowMist · 08-06-2012, 01:15 AM

Do: Join clubs that are interesting to you, be nice to everyone, and do your work.
Don't: Don't crowd up the hallways with your friends, don't act like you're some hot-shot, don't start unnecessary drama (two freshman girls got into a fist fight because the one was trying to steal the other's boyfriend and they started pulling each other's hair--funniest and most ridiculous thing ever

) and don't be afraid to talk to the upperclassmen. Generally, we don't bite.

I'm a rising senior.

kimmylouie · 08-06-2012, 01:59 AM

Don't be obnoxious.

Example:

There is this freshman in one of my class who constantly talks about how HE'S going to harvard, and how HIS parents donate money to harvard meaning 110% guarantee to be accepted, and how HIS SISTER is going to john hopkins making him more superior to everyone else. Then when I'm just OKAY OKAY WE GET THE POINT, YOU ARE GOING TO HARVARD. Then he talks about how "rich" he is. And how he has an ipad, a rolex watch, 2105180573 full blown suits, how he HATE blue jeans ("ugh! I can't stand that material near my skin!"), how his shampoo is like $200 per bottle, etc.

Just don't be obnoxious. And you'll survive. See how simple that is?

Cowboy112 · 08-06-2012, 02:04 AM

Dont get In School Suspension haha......actually kinda fun

tangentline · 08-06-2012, 02:13 AM

If I could kill whatever thoughts about prestige in my head, I would.

I'll leave the don't up to you.
A semi-don't if I killed those thoughts: High school shouldn't be about getting all the awards, having a high GPA, building your college application, and doing unwanted work/jobs.

Do: Meet new friends, explore the many subjects and try to find a major, participate in things you love to do. I'd call myself an introverted person to some extent, but I learned how to talk and meet other people--try hanging out with other cliques sometimes and get to know them. Be a role model, a positive influence to others.

iluvbooks94 · 08-06-2012, 03:03 AM

Don't be one of those freshmen who gets all upset if/when upperclassmen boo you at pep rallies or whatever. Seriously, a little bit of good-natured hazing isn't going to kill you; it didn't kill us.

Just don't be annoying, and you'll survive.

rykun97 · 08-06-2012, 03:41 AM

Thanks for the advice!

I was really nervous about being a freshman, but this made me feel a little better. After messing up in middle school, I need to do well in high school, but I'll try to have some fun while I'm at it.

samantha0703 · 08-06-2012, 04:22 AM

Don't get caught up in any drama and find clubs! My school had freshman class and we organize our class events like ring dance. Its great to be apart of. Relationships can be cool but they cause drama. Just stay focused but have fun

izb814 · 08-06-2012, 04:42 AM

Act like your age, but be mature at the times when you need to be. Don't act younger, and please don't act older! That annoys upperclassmen. If you're a girl, keep your respect. You don't need to sleep around and get involved with upperclassmen guys just to raise your social status. Find your niche, do something you love and run with it. Keep a great close group of friends! Your friends determine your success too because they motivate you. Don't get all pushed into the pressure of popularity, it doesn't matter. If you want to be popular, be nice to everyone, smart, be someone anyone can talk to by being yourself! Have fun too. Soon enough you'll be a rising senior like me giving advice like right now and wishing to be where you are.