A sophomore’s survival guide to being at the bottom

Admit it. Juniors, seniors and even some of the bigger sophomores frighten you. A brand new school crammed with 1000-plus students intimidates you. And the beginning of a transcript that could make or break your future keeps you up at night.

But before you hyperventilate all over again, listen up.

While half of the school has already experienced these high school jitters, there is a whole other group of students that is apprehensive about its first moments at Free State.

Sophomores aren’t coming up alone this year. Look around the school and people will see that the younger population has already made a large impact. Whether it’s teachers rearranging classrooms or student council adjusting its activity schedule, almost everything about this school year screams “change.”

But before the halls crowd up and another stretch of learning kicks into full swing, consider this. We all start as the “young ones.” The senior who picks on freshmen at Friday night football games was once in the same shoes.

This year marks the beginning of something new. The incoming classes are arriving anxiously to high school with fear that they could be an upperclassman’s next victim, while the seniors hold grudges about having to share their traditions with “immature 14 and 15-year-olds.” But in reality, they all started out this way. Scared, goofy and on the brink of puberty. And that’s on top of being nervous about upperclassman.

The upcoming months may be tough for underclassmen. But come May, think of how powerful it will feel to have survived being the youngest. While it may be difficult at first, it is the challenges in life that make a person stronger. Instead of dwelling on this minor detail, consider setting personal goals for the first year at a high school.

With so many opportunities in and out of the classroom, soon enough, being the youngest shouldn’t be the first thing on a student’s mind. By doing the things that are interesting, most high school students will also meet people who will be encouraging outside of the halls as well. Meeting new people–including juniors and seniors– in these clubs, classes and activities, will make all the older students seem less intimidating.

Being the youngest still has its negatives. But also be aware that by next year, freshman and sophomores will be the people looking down on an inexperienced Firebird.

Following the words of many older students, begin this school year with these ideas:

Look to each other. Get advice from the people that are admired. And most importantly, begin to mature into the high school students that will shape Free State in three or four years. This year will hold new experiences for more than just the bottom classes.

The most significant way to start high school is by embracing the change, finding something different, taking a chance, and most importantly, remembering that in the high school years it will be difficult to be alone.

Got a question on how to survive the bumps of high school? Want to get a young one’s opinion? Email Sarah your questions at [email protected]