Out of all the days of your high school experience, the first day of freshman year is one of the most memorable. You have probably already experienced the range of emotions — excitement, happiness, sadness, nervousness, or an impending sense of doom.
Now, if you read the title of this article and thought, “Oh my gosh, survival? Is it really that bad?” We’re here to tell you firsthand—no, it isn’t. We are here to help you get through your first day, first week, first semester, and even your first year of high school.
Day One:
On your first day, you’ll spend a lot of time getting to know your new classmates, teachers, and homeroom. One of the most common struggles is navigating the Lexington High School building. Here’s a list detailing which rooms are in which buildings: 100s + 200s – Main Building, 300s + 400s – Science Building, 500s + 600s – World Language Building, 700s + 800s – Math Building. Room numbers starting with 1, 3, 5, and 7 are on the ground floor, while room numbers starting with 2, 4, 6, and 8 are on the second floor.
Many students at LHS use apps to store their schedules, the most of which is called Saturn. By entering your class names, teachers, and room numbers, you will be able to view your schedule in a more digestible and aesthetically pleasing format.
Week One:
Now that you have started to settle into LHS, there are some tips you should know for the rest of the year. Getting to know your classmates (beyond icebreakers) will make your high school experience feel more enjoyable. Keep in mind that your teachers and peers are here to help and support you. Your first week is also where your freshman year really begins, so take it as a time to prepare for the inevitable tests, quizzes, and projects of the coming year.
Another tip: learn to navigate the LHS cafeterias, or ‘Commons.’ While offering pizza and burgers, classics from middle school, the cafeteria at LHS also offers a variety of new choices. Two student favorites are the nacho bar and sandwich stations, though wait times are often quite long. If you feel like treating yourself, you can also buy an ice cream or a cookie!
Semester One:
The most exciting part of freshman year is the huge variety of clubs that you can join. With over 100 clubs ranging from cooking to robotics, there’s definitely a club for everyone. Every October, LHS hosts an activities fair during school hours where all the club leaders set up booths to provide information about their clubs and how to sign up.
The Activities Fair might seem overwhelming, but we recommend signing up for clubs you find even remotely interesting. For most clubs, it’s totally fine to stop attending if you lose interest. Ninth grade is the perfect time to try new things, so make sure you attend as many club informational meetings as possible.
Finals:
Unfortunately, your freshman year will end with a series of finals, but don’t panic: your teachers will guide and support you through them. First is the freshman research paper (FRP) in history class, which isn’t as intimidating as upperclassmen claim it to be. Tip: choose a topic that genuinely interests you, make sure to ask plenty of questions, and use your in-class time efficiently.
Next up is the English capstone project, which you will work on throughout the year. The key with this project is to be creative: think of a unique theme, and let your imagination fill in the rest.
Finally, you’ll be taking the math final, a culmination of all the course content you covered throughout the year. Review your past tests thoroughly, and make sure to complete the handouts your teacher will give you.
As you begin your high school journey, we hope this guide can help you, and although academics are certainly important, don’t forget that you’ll only be here for four years, so make the most of your time and have fun!
– Your STEM section editors
