Starting high school is one of the most monumental days of a teenager’s life, but can also be one of the scariest. Joining clubs, sports, and any extracurricular activities can help the transition to the high school community.

A lot of high schoolers remember their first day. Senior Lauren Montanari says,“The first couple days are the scariest, but at some point it’s just going to feel normal.” Going from being with people who are barely teenagers, to people who are almost adults can be a big adjustment. Montanari said,“When you get here, people are just so much older and more mature than you thought, and it’s just a totally different environment. There’s a lot of maturing you do in that first year.” 

When starting high school, it is common to look too far into the future. Junior and captain of the boys soccer team Alex Casper said, “I would always look to the future and plan for perfection, but would end up missing out on the best things at the time because I wouldn’t focus on them.” 

There are always fun events year round, and things to enjoy, and the worst thing you could do is waste it worrying about the future. “I wish I would’ve just relaxed and stayed present with all of the things happening rather than thinking about what was to come,” says Casper. The school calendar is available on the Lancelot website, and is a great way to keep up with the school events. 

Staying on top of schoolwork and assignments is something freshmen worry about, but if handled correctly, stress can be kept at a manageable level. Teachers are happy to help if students are struggling in a class, and they always want to do their best to help you succeed. Field hockey player and senior Kayla Kelly says, “Teachers are very helpful, and I would tell my freshman self don’t be afraid to use your teachers as a resource.” 

Another great way to not only do well in school, but meet new people, is peer tutoring. Upperclassmen that excel in a certain subject are available Tuesdays and Wednesdays 2:15 pm-3:15 pm in room 306. Asking for help can be a hard thing to do, but your future self will thank you later on. “Asking for help is the most beneficial thing I’ve done in high school and it’s an extremely important thing when trying to find success,” says Casper. 

Probably the top thing high schoolers would say helped them become a part of their school community is through sports and extracurricular activities. Kelly says, “There’s a club, an activity for everyone.” You don’t have to be athletic and do a sport to get involved. If you want to lead your class and take part in the decision making process, you might consider joining class or student council. Other clubs include drama, yearbook, science bowl, model United Nations, and women’s empowerment club. Clubs are always looking for new members. Freshmen can find out about clubs under the “Our School” section of the Waterford High School website. 

Although not for everyone, sports are one of the easiest ways to have a more seamless transition into high school. Fall sports especially, because you can make new friends during summer practices, which can ease your nerves for the first few days. “The soccer team was a family that supported me no matter what. They were there for me always and would always have my back,” Alex Casper said when asked how soccer helped him with becoming comfortable in the WHS community. 

Your high school years will fly by and before you know it you will be walking across the stage at graduation, so enjoy this time while you have it.