Freshman year can very possibly be the most terrifying, yet exciting, year of one’s life. Walking into the looming building as its shadows fall over you, getting shoved by people running to see their friends, and dealing with the old, jammed lockers for the first time can be extremely overwhelming. Going from being at the top of your school to the bottom again can feel like a slap in the face. But not to fear, this year’s seniors at FHS have more than enough experience and advice to share.
One of the best things about being in high school is all the opportunities you get to choose your own classes. However, many underclassmen go into this process blind every year, and end up in classes that aren’t meant for them. Seniors know this situation very well and know all the ins and outs of choosing your schedule. Senior Delaney May says her favorite teachers include J Conn, Mr. Lyons, and Ms. Saylor, all of which are English and Arts teachers. The arts programs at Fallston are extremely fun and rewarding, and if you’re a creative person, the teachers rarely make the work feel like work at all.
While any arts program is worth exploring, when it comes to math and science, it is very important to pick the right track for you. Most seniors can agree that if you do not already have a background in physics, it is important to take another physics class before taking AP Physics. Most students found this class to be challenging without having previous experience and ended up dropping the class. Student Chloe Mullineaux suggests, “if you don’t care that much about physics, take IPC [Integrated Physics and Chemistry] because you can dodge either.”
If you still have room in your schedule, some other student-recommended electives include Psychology, Film, and Forensic Science. After school, many recommend joining Drama Company, Mock Trial, French Club, and Robotics and Engineering.
No matter what classes you decide to take, it is extremely important to stay focused and get your work done. The workload will be much heavier, and smaller assignments will matter when it comes to the time for larger ones. “Even though I know it’s hard to keep on doing your work, you have to, because in the long run it’ll work out,” says Leota Fullano. “Time management is very important… don’t procrastinate until the last second because you’ll regret it and it’ll give you too much overwhelming stress that you don’t want to deal with,” adds Megan Watts.
“I would say just get through the first couple of months and then everything will be okay,” says Angelina Velez, FHS Senior. Adjusting to a new environment always takes time, but soon enough the anxieties of not knowing the building and people will fade away. Upperclassmen know almost every teacher and room, and for some, the school feels like a second home. “You’ll make a bunch of friends and you’re going to be pretty cool,” she says.
As a freshman, it can often seem like everything that goes wrong will stick with you for the rest of your life. But no one will really remember that one time you walked into a classroom and stayed for the entire period before you realized you were in the wrong class. May agrees, as “a lot of stuff that happens in freshman year doesn’t matter that much because you have three more years… so don’t worry about it too much,” she says.
Watts sums up school perfectly, saying to “try your best. Hard work pays off in the end. How much effort you put in will show in your work.” Keep your head high, work hard, and your high school experience will be unforgettable.
