What I Wish I Knew Day One: Seniors' tips for our Freshmen

By Ximena Reyes Alvarez, Julianna McGrath, and Rylee Zavarella '27

It's 7:38 a.m., the bell rings in two minutes, and you're walking up the completely wrong staircase to get to your class—welcome to freshman year. Not only is this the start of young adulthood, but this year sets the tone for your next three years at WHS.

Looking back at our freshman year, we remember how frustrating and hard it could be at times. Because of this, we put together a guide that we wish we knew on day one. We want to help make freshman year less scary to navigate and make it go by smoother.

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Hallway Etiquette: Keep It Moving

The fastest way to get an upperclassman upset is to walk slowly in the hallway. We understand that you’re excited to see your friends in the hallway, so instead of clogging up the hallways, find a place to meet them. Stay humble, have a purpose, and don’t stand out for the wrong reasons. This way you can still be social and not get on anyone's bad side.

Upperclassmen Aren’t Out to Get You

It’s understandable to be intimidated by the upperclassmen, especially the seniors, but the truth is they aren't plotting against you. Most are trying to navigate their last year of high school and figure out their future. You’re for the most part invisible to them in the best way possible, so there's no need to be intimidated.

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Enjoy Being a Freshman

Don’t rush to grow up. Seniors might seem like they have it all figured out, but many are stressing over college applications or even learning how to balance life. Freshman year gives you an opportunity to grow and adapt with lower stakes—don’t take that for granted.

Keep Drama Out of the Public Eye

High school drama happens, but keeping it out of the public eye saves you a lot of embarrassment. Large displays of affection or even loud arguments in the hallways or in the cafeteria make for uncomfortable moments that people will remember longer than you could imagine. Keep your personal life quiet and private.

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Manage Your Workload Early

Going from middle school to high school comes with unexpected academic expectations. Staying on top of your assignments helps you prevent unnecessary stress or a late start in academics. Sophomore Katerina Dakin said, "I wish I knew not to procrastinate on studying and doing your homework."

Having good time management skills is very important to keep your stress low. As international studies teacher Ms. Pintevalle said, "I think it’s really important to be organized, keep up with your homework, and always check what’s due on Google Classroom." This is the key to being successful not just freshman year, but all four years.

Final Thoughts

Freshman year brings a new school, new teachers, and new opportunities. Just keep your head up, stay organized, and remember everyone is going through it or has gone through it before. At the end of the day, freshman year is what you make of it, so don’t be afraid—this is the time to figure it out. Welcome to Wethersfield High School!