Back to School Advice

Nancy Fehrmann

Look at the advice Junior girls give to Freshmen girls only 2 years after they were Freshmen in response to the question: What Do You Wish Someone Had Told You About High School?

1. Focus on getting involvedfind a sport, a club or an activity you like and join. If you like to dance, try out for the dance team, drama team or musical. It's harder to step into activities if you wait too long.
2. Make a lot of friends your freshman year. Make yourself talk to the kids next to you in your classes, ask them about themselves, their interests, or the highlight of their summer. Focus on getting to know others.
3. Don't put all your time and effort into how you look. Youre asking for the wrong kind of attention. Its okay to look nice, but focus your time and efforts on your school work, on who you are becoming as a person and your goals for your future.
4. Don't date your freshman year.  And, don't go into high school with the goal of getting an older boyfriend. Girls get too emotionally involved. Too many girls give their heart to the first guy that acts like he likes them. Then after going out a few times, the girls realized they didn't know anything about the guy and didn't really like him. Its too big a distraction. You spend your time thinking about the wrong things - its wasted energy.
5. Focus on friendships with the guys. Its a whole lot better just to get to know guys as friends. It's hard to balance who you spend time with family, friends, a boyfriend. Don't choose a boyfriend over your family or your friends. Any of your friends should be involved in your family activities.
6. Set goals and don't compromise your values. Guys are going to say whatever you want to hear to get what they want. Get an accountability partner, an older person you respect to help you stay true to yourself and your future.
7. Your freshman year is when you develop your reputation. Like it or not, that reputation stays with you the next four years. This should motivate you to make good choices.
8. Don't be afraid to be yourself. People are going to like you because they are getting to know the real you. Whatever you're feeling, you're not alone. You find out later, everyone struggles with some self doubt.

And I'd like to add my own. You will be remembered for your actions. Choose wisely and take responsibility for your behavior.