Here’s the thing: in five years, the uncertainty of freshman year will be nothing more than a memory. The confusion over schedules, the nervous introductions, the feeling that everyone has it figured out but you—well, the latter won’t disappear, but the rest will fade.
Right now, we know what it’s like. We’ve been where you are—lost yet excited. So here’s some advice.
Find what works (and what doesn’t).
High school moves fast. It’s easy to focus on what you’re good at, but knowing where you struggle can be just as important. Spend time figuring out your strengths and weaknesses early on.
“I definitely wish that I had really figured out the things I struggle with so I had known to work on them more,” Northwood Class of 2025 alumni Chloe Foust said.
Allow yourself the grace not to have it all figured out yet and identify where you still need to grow. Then, embrace experiences that challenge you to improve. Are you afraid to ask for help? Dislike public speaking? Have trouble making friends? Having difficulty taking responsibility for your actions? Seek opportunities to practice those skills in the relative safety of high school because it’s more difficult later in life. But also allow yourself to find refuge in spaces where you thrive. Balance is the key.
Take a chance on something new, anything!
High school is about trial and error—a built-in excuse to experiment with new opportunities. Not every activity will be the right fit for you, and that’s OK.
“When I was a freshman, I went to the school’s robotics team, but to be honest, I didn’t like it,” senior Emily Huang said. “But during my sophomore year, I found a volunteer opportunity at a science center, and I really liked the interaction with the children who were really passionate about science. I felt like that was my place.”
It is OK to move on from something that doesn’t click, but you will never find the right fit if you aren’t willing to look for it. When you find it, that feeling can be magical.
“Sophomore year, I exclusively played string instruments, so I wanted to try marching band out,” senior Amanda Zheng said. “I joined pit. It was really one of the best experiences of my life because I met so many new people playing new instruments.”
It doesn’t have to be a big leap. Maybe it’s sitting somewhere new at lunch or picking up a hobby you never considered. Taking risks is key to discovering your passion, and small steps add up over time.
Learn about yourself before anything else.
Between expectations from teachers, parents and peers, it’s easy to let other people’s opinions shape your decisions and influence your personality. Talk to different people. Test out different study methods. Figure out which environments empower you and which ones drain you. As much as these four years are about gaining knowledge, most of all, they are about discovering yourself.
In moments when it all feels overwhelming, take each day as it comes. Embrace every challenge you face and success you achieve, and celebrate the memories you make with friends and peers. Before you know it, you’ll be looking back at it all, wondering how four years slipped away in an instant.
