Attention all freshmen!  Now that you’re in high school, you’re probably wondering how in the world you will be able to get through your first year alive.  You might be a little worried, and that’s okay.  High school is a new experience, and it’s okay to be nervous or scared.  But don’t be, because truthfully, there’s nothing to be nervous or scared about.  Be excited, because you’re finally in high school and just about to start a new chapter in your life.  But you need to be prepared and make sure you have the right tools.

First of all, don’t be afraid to ask your upper classmen for help.  They don’t bite, too hard at least.  Being in a brand new school filled with new classes and people can be overwhelming, and sometimes it’s best to get advice from someone who has been in your shoes.  Don’t forget, every experienced upperclassman was once the confused freshman, and odds are they will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Peer pressure is a big thing throughout our life, and high school is no exception.  Don’t let your friends pressure you into doing something that you don’t want to do, whether that be what clubs and sports you participate in, what classes you take, what you wear, or anything else.  High school can be a confusing time for teens since they are trying to figure out who they really are.  But don’t let anyone decide who you are and that you’re molded into, that choice has to be made by you.

Another thing, don’t procrastinate!  Almost everyone has been told this by at least one adult in his or her life, but that’s because it’s very important.  If you get something done in advance, you have more time for relaxation later.  Odds are if you wait until the last minute to do something, you just might find yourself staying awake late into the night hunched over a computer trying to finish a project that will turn out mediocre at best because you rushed through it.  I know how you get the ball rolling, you keep telling yourself ‘I’ll do it tomorrow, I’ll do it tomorrow, I’ll do it tomorrow…’ until, finally, that final project that was assigned three weeks ago is due first thing in the morning.  Just don’t wait until the last minute, nothing good will come of it.

High school is supposed to be fun, not just work, work, work.  So be sure to make time to have a good time!  Don’t blow off all your assignments and schoolwork, but make time to go to the sports games, the dances, and all the other social events.  You only get to go through high school once, so don’t leave anything undone.  Also, don’t be afraid to try something new and branch out, even if it’s a little beyond your comfort zone.  Try out for a school play, go to a new club, or try a new sport.  You never know, it might turn into something you like.  And even if you don’t like it, you can at least say you tried it.

You’re bound to make mistakes throughout your four years at Fossil, everyone is, but that’s to be expected, we’re high school students after all.  Even though what works and what doesn’t will most likely be figured out through firsthand experience, it’s always nice to have a few tips when you first walk through the door.  Everyone has to go through high school, so you might as well try your hardest to go through it right.