Congrats. You’ve made it through middle school. You’ve successfully graduated from top dog to fresh meat. Freshmen year is promised to be the most confused year of your life.

From being surrounded by Juniors and Seniors that look old enough to be your parents to finding that one class that seems to disappear and then reappear in a completely different hall. You’re a puppy in a big dog world, but don’t worry because this your guide on how to survive high school.*Your results may vary*

Guide tip number one: Go to the freshmen orientation. 

“I thought it would not only be a good experience, but that it would also be a chance to get to recognize the school. And because I thought they would gave you a lot of information that you needed to know,” said Ashlyn Bell, current freshman.

You seriously need to go. You get to have your schedule, meet your teachers, and have the opportunity to walk around the school. There’s nothing but advantages here.

With your schedule, you can walk around and locate your classes. There will be dozens of other freshman with their families, which helps you get a feel of what the school will look like with students. Plus, you can get lost without the fear of asking for guidance because everyone is there to help you.

Guide tip number two: Make friends.

“I kinda ganged myself up with friends. I felt more comfortable once I was around people that I recognized,” said Bell.

Making friends is probably the most crucial part of high school for any grade level, but as a freshman it should a top priority. Imagine being in a world unknown to you. Lost and confused. You’re nervous and scared. Having a friend just makes this weird transition more enjoyable.

You’ll have people to go to games and pep rallies with. Make friends with someone that you have in your classes, especially your harder classes, will just make freshmen year less stressful.

“I have a brother whose a junior, and he’s acquainted with some older people [who] help me,” Perri Farrington, current freshman.

Guide tip number Three: Prioritize before you Procrastinate.

If we’re being honest, we all procrastinate, but you haven’t yet experienced extreme procrastination, which is exactly what you’ll be doing if even think about putting stuff off until the last minute.

Long gone are the days of simple one page, front only, “just turn it in, and you’ll get full points” worksheets or homework assignments.

“Do your work, and you won’t fail. If you don’t do the work, then you won’t know the material. If you don’t know the material you won’t pass the test,” said Daniel Serrana, current freshman.

Guide tip number Four: Criticism is your friend. 

Not the “he said, she said” drama. Trust me: by the time you’re a Senior you’re not going to care about that stuff anyway.

I’m talking about if your teacher tells you that you sort of suck at something, then you probably suck at it. Teachers here, or at any high school for that matter, will always be on your side. If they try to help

you by giving you any kind of advice, then you should probably take it. They actually want you to succeed!

Guide tip number Five: Don’t be afraid to reach outside your comfort zone. 

Honestly, you’re not a little kid anymore. Granted, you’re not an adult either, but that still shouldn’t stop you from trying out new things and expressing yourself.

Take those new friends, and go to a high school football game.

Be daring and try out for the talent show or the play.

Start a club or ask out that boy or girl that you’ve been crushing on since the third grade.

Yes, grades and school attendance are important, but these few years will build memories that you will cherish those last few month before you graduate.