Walking into high school for the first time can feel overwhelming, and freshmen often worry about getting lost in the halls, balancing harder classes and finding where they fit socially. For many students, the transition comes with uncertainty about what the next four years will look like.
“My biggest fear as a freshman was probably moving to a new environment, coming from middle school to high school,” senior Hayden Schweikert said. “But, I walked in three weeks early and I got to know so many people, and a lot of people here are really welcoming and really warm. You just have to take a chance on some people and just step out of your comfort zone.”
Seniors at McLean, who are now in their last day of school, say that there are several things they wish they had known when they were freshmen. They want to teach those lessons about academics, friendships and learning how to balance everything high school brings.
“I think I was really scared for two things. One, the social dynamics of it all, then the other thing is the impending doom of college applications eventually, and having to lock in,” senior Aashna Kapur said. “That’s why I really would look up to the upperclassmen for guidance.”
One of the biggest adjustments for freshmen is adapting to the increased academic workload. Many upperclassmen said they struggled at first with managing assignments, studying effectively and staying organized.
“I got so behind freshman year, because I don’t think I was taking it as seriously as I should have been,” Schweikert said. “So just don’t be stressed out by the fact that these grades matter, but don’t get too comfortable, because once you get a couple missing assignments it can be a little hard to recover.”
Some students said learning how to communicate with teachers made a major difference.
“Know that your teachers want you to succeed,” Kapur said. “Everybody at this school, all of the adults here, want you to do well, so look to them for help. Don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers, there are so many teachers who you can build good relationships with.”
Upperclassmen also emphasized the importance of time management, especially when balancing extracurricular activities with schoolwork, and that developing strong study habits can make the transition much easier.
“Start with good habits,” Kapur said. “We live in a very high achieving area. It can be very easy to feel overwhelmed and feel like you’re behind.”
Beyond academics, many freshmen worry about fitting in socially. It is important to branch out and try new activities and not focus solely on grades.
“Go to every school event and try everything new that the school offered,” senior Julie Daniel said. “An important part of balance is making sure you have enough time to have fun and hangout with friends while also placing priority on getting work done.”
Several students said joining clubs or sports helped them meet people with similar interests and feel more connected to the school community. Friendships can also change throughout high school, and rather than stressing over having a perfect friend group immediately, students encouraged freshmen to stay open to meeting new people.
“Don’t be afraid to meet people. McLean is pretty good about their clubs. I do theater, and everyone in theater is so warm to everyone,” Schweikert said. “It’s okay to feel uncomfortable, but try to push yourself as best you can, especially once you’re trying clubs that interest you and programs that interest you. This is your time to explore what you want to do past high school and within high school, so never never say no to an opportunity.”
Many freshmen can put pressure on themselves to have everything figured out right away, but high school is a learning experience. Priorities can change frequently between the four years.
“Now you’re in a much larger bubble, so it’s like, how do you navigate that? Who do you become friends with? How do you make friends? How do you keep friends?” Kapur said. “That was really scary, but that’s why I think it’s really helped to just be open to everyone.”
Some students said they wish they had understood the importance of balance earlier in high school. While extracurriculars and academic achievement are important, students should avoid overloading themselves and remember to take care of their mental health.
“For me, I think the biggest thing is balance,” Kapur said. “Remember, high school is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to build your sense of self. So it is important to go out with your friends and have fun as well as work hard.”
For many seniors, the advice they would give freshmen is simple. Although the transition into high school can feel intimidating at first, you will eventually find your perfect balance and four years will feel like a flash.
“It’s never that serious,” Kapur said. “I think that there’s so much talk in high school and gossip and pettiness, and at the end of the day, we’re all here for similar goals, so just be kind.”
