Freshman year is a thrilling yet daunting time. There are so many new opportunities available, but also so many social norms that are changing quickly. When the academics of Haverford High get challenging, sometimes you need to lean on the extra aspects that Haverford has to offer. In high school, there are more opportunities for rigorous classes and new faces that you can interact with daily. Our biggest tip to surviving your first year of high school is to get involved in after-school activities, attend school events, ask for help, and be open to making new friends. 

Haverford has three sports seasons, with each featuring a variety of sports. Fall football games are a true testament to small-town moments. The game is much more than just football; it highlights the sportsmanship, the musical talent in the marching band, and the school spirit of Haverford. Supporting sports teams throughout the year shows school spirit and is a great after-school activity. In addition, Haverford has over 90 clubs which offer a wide variety of interests and opportunities. Many are for fun, but oftentimes clubs offer volunteer hours and field trips. We recommend being involved in at least one to four clubs. This includes showing up to the meetings each week, participating in fundraisers, and absorbing all the aspects of each club.

The next tip is to go to any events that you can. Freshman year really does fly by, and you’ll regret not going to some fun events here at the high school! Among the biggest events are  the school dances. The high school offers two dance opportunities to freshmen: FROSH and Homecoming. These dances allow you to have a fun time with your friends and make so many new memories. This is also an experience that you will carry with you throughout high school. Going to these dances freshman year sets you up for what’s to come the rest of high school, such as your prom and your senior homecoming, which you won’t want to miss. 

Another tip that can be a make-or-break in high school is to not be fearful when asking for help. High school provides a variety of classes that range in difficulty. Taking a more challenging class requires more work or guidance from the teacher. Teachers are not just graders of the test; they are hired to teach students to the best of their abilities. You, as the student, should not be afraid of them, because they have the power to help you comprehend anything confusing. Getting help from other students is also a great resource to use to understand or review confusing topics. Building a habit like this is super beneficial to your future. When you ask for help, you can reduce your stress levels regarding academics and other fields as well. Being open to new strategies and ideas opens the door to more perspectives that can shape the way you think and grow.

The final tip when entering high school is to make new friends. In high school, there are so many chances to meet new people. Whether it’s through sports, clubs, or just being with new people in classes, you will find so many people who have similar interests and activities as you. Take advantage of that! It’s pretty easy to connect with other grades as well. In middle school, most grades were separated, but in high school, you may find that you have people from different grades in your classes and activities. This provides more chances to make new friends. Taking different electives and joining activities can help you meet people who have interests similar to yours. You don’t always have to stick to one group of friends, and it is good to have a diverse and wide range of friendships. Having at least one friend in each class can also be very beneficial to you when it comes to group projects or needing help with something. 

Freshman year is such an important year in your life! It is full of all your first experiences in high school, and it is a time when you and your friendships really begin to change and grow. We hope that through these tips, your year will go by smoothly and you’ll have more fun than you expect!