Entering high school may seem overwhelming. There is a sudden sense of independence, but  luckily, you’re not the first person to take the cold plunge into high school. Upperclassmen have lots to share to help you swim gracefully through your first year of LHS. Here are nine tips that we thought were especially important and would have helped us when we were in your position.

1. “Club Sandwich Strategy” – Freshman year is the perfect time to explore ALL the clubs and activities offered. Think of it like building a sandwich: pile on all the toppings now, and over time, you’ll figure out the specific clubs, or might we say toppings, that truly speak to you. Don’t worry about sticking with everything, but make sure you give yourself room to explore various possibilities.
2. No Such Thing as Dumb Questions… Just Unasked Ones  – When you have a question to ask, it’s easy to think, “I’ll Google it later,” or, “it’s probably a stupid question anyway.” In reality,  there is no such thing as a “dumb question.” Your teachers are understanding and accommodating. They are here to support you, whether it be by pointing you in the direction of your next class or helping you go over a difficult math concept. Don’t be afraid to ask!
3. Be the One to Say Hi First – It’s happened to all of us. You pass a new classmate in the hallway, wondering, “Should I say hi? Should I wave?” Before you’ve made up your mind, you have already walked past them. Next time, why not be the one to wave first? High school is a great time to make new friends, so don’t limit yourself out of a fear of taking a risk. Chances are, by saying hi, you’ll make their day a little bit brighter.
4. To-Do Lists = Sanity Lists – Homework, test dates, club meetings, sport practices… It adds up fast. Develop a system for keeping track of assignments and important dates, whether it’s a planner you take to class or a color-coded system on Google Calendar. We’ve found that Google Tasks works well. Having a system will prevent you from waking up in a cold sweat, worried about missing a homework assignment.
5. FOMO is Real, But So is Burnout – At LHS, there’s always something happening: sports games, student council events, volunteering opportunities. We promise that it’s okay to skip out sometimes—learn to say no, even to your friends! Prioritize taking breaks, recharging your social battery, and listening to your body (which means getting eight hours of sleep!). You’ll enjoy the array of activities more when you’re not exhausted. Think of high school as a marathon, not a sprint. Learn to pace yourself and know that it’s okay to stay home when your battery is running low.
6. Tiny Problems, Big Regrets – Don’t let minor problems keep you from enjoying high school experiences. These four years will fly by faster than you’d expect, and you don’t want to look back wishing you’d gone to that sports practice, joined that play, or signed up for that event. Bad weather, a lousy breakfast, or a crazy hair day might tempt you to skip, but don’t let them become excuses! Skipping a club one week because you “don’t really feel like it today” can lead to you never feeling like it. Push yourself to overcome small, uncomfortable moments—a lot of the time, they aren’t as big a deal as you think.
7. You’re Not in This Alone – Your classmates will always. Be. Your. Greatest. Resource. If you’re struggling with something, ask around. Chances are, you’re not the only one who is mind-boggled by concepts in Earth Science or confused about essay instructions for English. Studying doesn’t have to be boring and lonely; plan group study sessions (library, cafes, someone’s house) to make flashcards and quiz each other. Often, dialogue is what facilitates understanding of a concept. Be each other’s tutors!
8. Doomscrolling Isn’t Rest – While taking breaks from your school work is important to staying sane in the pressure cooker that is LHS, that doesn’t mean that you should spend two hours doomscrolling. Though doomscrolling gives you a constant, easy feed of dopamine, as soon as you put your phone down, you’ll feel starved for the stimulation your phone was providing. This might make short tasks take ten times longer than they’re supposed to. You’ll constantly feel the urge to check your phone, only adding to your stress. Also, doomscrolling tires you out. You forget to blink after staring at video after video after video. Suddenly you’re exhausted and less productive. Instead of scrolling, find a hobby that seriously helps you rest. Something as simple as doodling, going for a walk, or even napping will make you feel so much better.
9. Just Take the Risk – This ties into a few of the other points on this list, but here’s the umbrella idea: LHS offers you a myriad of opportunities socially and academically. Ask yourself: What’s the worst that could happen, and what’s the best that could happen? Oftentimes, it’s worth auditioning for that play, emailing that teacher, and making that new friend. A lot of decisions that seem life-altering in the moment are trivial in hindsight—but don’t leave any regrets. So check your email. Look at the posters in the hallways. There are so many opportunities that are easy to overlook if you don’t actively search for them. That could include upcoming socials, bakesales, community service opportunities, performances, and much more. Get involved in the school community. Meet new people. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’ll help you grow and make high school way more fun.