As I start my last year of high school, it is crazy to realize how fast time has gone by. Looking back, I wish I could tell my freshman self what I know now. Becoming a freshman can be very intimidating. I remember the excitement of starting high school, but also the pressure and anxiety that came with it. I am hoping to be able to alleviate some stress by passing down what I know now. So, rather than theoretically giving advice to my freshman self, I sought out a real incoming freshman to try to help them navigate their way through some choppy waters.

I spoke with freshman Irene Beldiman about how her first month at PMHS has been going. Irene expressed to me that her main concern with starting high school is that she has already been hit with more work than she is used to, and she now realizes that “all her work counts.” I did not take classes as seriously when I was a freshman, which is something I regret. Not only will your freshmen year grades show up on your transcript, but to ensure you don’t fall behind later on, it is important to apply good studying and homework habits beginning in freshman year.

Something to take advantage of is Academy period. Irene told me that geometry was a particularly stressful class for her, and it was for me too. In order to improve my performance, I went to Academy whenever I did not feel strong enough in a topic. I often thought that if I did not have a specific question, I couldn’t go to Academy, but this is not the case. All the teachers are very friendly and want to see you succeed, so if there is a class that you are struggling with, reaching out to your teacher is always a great way to clarify any confusion. In Academy, teachers can help you finish homework, prepare for a test, or give you additional practice problems. Academy was a huge help as I pushed through classes. In addition to this, organization is the best way to stay on top of workload. Whether you prefer reminders on your phone or using the student planner both are very useful ways to plan your time. By being organized, you can ensure that you are never overwhelmed or cramming at the last minute.

Another thing that Irene mentioned is that she feels in the dark about clubs and activities. At PMHS, there is a wide variety of clubs and extracurricular activities to get involved in, which can make high school more exciting and interesting. An easy way to find out about clubs is through reading the daily announcements and attending the club fair where you can discover new and exciting clubs. Getting involved is a good way to acclimate yourself into the student body and meet new people. In addition to clubs, participating in school run activities is a great way to show your pelican pride. For example, Olympics is a huge deal at the high school and it is so important to get involved in the preparation for the big week. During Olympics, there is something for everyone to do. Olympics week is really special because it brings the whole school together. Another way to stay active in the school community is by attending outside of school events. Cheering on our sports teams and seeing the Sock ‘n’ Buskin performances are great ways to be involved and see what your peers are doing. It might even inspire you to join the cast or tryout for the team next year!

While being a freshman may seem scary at first, our school does many things to ease anxieties during this transition, and as Irene said “made her feel welcome.” The most valuable advice I can give about high school is to enjoy every minute of it and make the most of the time you have here, because before you know it you’ll be a senior giving advice to freshmen.