Freshman survival guide: Don’t panic, we’ve got you!

Our writers wanted to show us what they looked like during their Grade 9 years; starting with senior Alex Harrison.

By Leo Escudero and Alex Harrison '26

Eighth-grade night was held Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Wethersfield High School. With a new wave of freshmen arriving next fall, many are likely nervous about the changes and the new chapter they are starting. Being over halfway through the school year, we interviewed current students to see how they have changed and what advice they can offer incoming ninth graders.

To start, we interviewed juniors to see what they have done differently since their freshman year.

“From my freshman year to my junior year, I’ve learned to not let homework assignments build up," said track runner Sam Martin. "It affects your grades significantly, even if you do well on tests and in-school assignments.”

DECA captain and varsity swimmer Ephram Powers added, “Don’t take more than one study hall per year because you will want to be able to stack them up by your senior year.”
There are roughly 200 to 300 new freshmen every year. Being the new group in the building can be nerve-wracking.

You have new stresses, like 18-year-old seniors with full beards who are over 6 feet tall, as well as having to genuinely worry about your GPA. On top of all this, you have schedule changes, a brand-new building to figure out and the loss of the "color teams" from middle school. Personally, I remember as a freshman wanting to fit in and not seem like the odd one out.

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Senior Leo Escudero as a 9th grader

The key to not being the "odd kid" is a simple list of dos and don'ts.

First, do not use a backpack with wheels. You will find it impossible to navigate the crowded WHS stairwells, and you’ll likely end up knocking people over. Second, bring deodorant to school—especially after gym class. You don’t want to be the reason the hallway stinks. Third, stop wearing pajama pants every day. This is high school; you want to wear real clothes and not look like you just crawled out of a 20-hour slumber.

Most importantly, make sure you get to school and your classes on time. You do not want to have to retake a class, file a credit appeal or spend your summer in a classroom while everyone else is at the beach.

To the upcoming freshmen: We wish you the best of luck. In all seriousness, high school is stressful when you first start, but we have faith in you. Don’t be lazy or give your teachers a hard time. Just try to fly through your classes and get good grades. High school is, as they say, "some of the most fun years of your life," so enjoy them as you go.

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