I moved to Lexington just before eighth grade started, so I didn’t enter Lexington High School with many connections. Without familiar upperclassmen or an experienced sibling to guide me, I had to figure out a lot on my own. In this article, I aim to make that process easier for you by answering a few questions I had, which you might have too (Especially if you’re like me and tend to miss school emails). So, here are four miscellaneous but practical tips—things I wish I knew as a freshman.

• When should I take my prerequisite art course?

If you plan on taking visual arts at LHS, you’ll need to take a Foundations or Studio art course. LHS mandates a minimum of eight art credits by the time you graduate, so getting your foundations course done in freshman year is a good idea. This is the strategy most people choose, and it’s effective because it opens up a myriad of more advanced art classes for your next three years at LHS.

Of course, you won’t need to take a foundations course if you plan to take only music or performing arts, but make sure to pay attention to the prerequisite courses for any classes you want to take in the future.

For more information about LHS’s art program, check out the Program of Studies and Ella Li’s article, “Inside the World of Creativity: A Guide to Arts at LHS”!

• I want to change my classes—is it hard?

The school emails contain excessively detailed instructions, but I want to reassure you: it’s an easy process. The first week of each semester is a sort of trial period. During that week, you can think about whether your core courses are too easy or difficult and whether you like your electives. Then, on Arena Day, you’ll have time to talk to your counselor and make changes to your schedule. You can alter the difficulty of your core courses and add, drop, or switch electives. And—when in doubt, ask your counselor! They’re there to help you.

• How do I find clubs I like?

LHS’s website has a list of clubs, but the best way to find extracurricular activities is to attend the Activities Fair. Held around the end of September, the event is designed to help you find your people. During the school day, you’ll wander around and visit countless club booths, where club members will present their sales pitch and try to bribe you with sour patch kids.

Here’s my advice: sign up for as many clubs you want. Freshman year is the perfect time to branch out and explore things that pique your interest, and writing your name down at a booth doesn’t signify any commitment—only that the club will send you an email with more information later.

• I’m doing my best, so why aren’t my grades improving?

This tip is more to prepare you for the rest of the year than to help you during your first week or two. The truth is, classes don’t just test how well you know the material; they test how well you know the rubric. I wrote amazing essays (in my opinion) but lost points for incorrect formatting; I answered math problems correctly but lost points for forgetting to write units. Make sure you read rubrics and follow instructions thoroughly to understand how you’ll be graded.

Also, take time to talk to your teachers if you have questions, both about coursework and extensions. I thought asking for extensions indicated that I was unable to handle pressure, but it just meant I was capable of advocating for myself. Your teachers are there to support you, so don’t be afraid to reach out for support.

If you’ve made it this far into the article, you know at least four more things than I did when I was a freshman—good for you! I think my biggest takeaway, though, is that high school is just another chapter in your life. So enjoy it while it lasts! My final piece of advice is this: just chill out and make the most of it.

See you around!