School has ups and downs but it can also be really fulfilling and exciting. Wishing the best for this year’s first years, The Blue and White interviewed a variety of seniors to help pass down their knowledge to our current freshmen. Hopefully, they will make their first year of high school just a little bit easier. The Blue and White asked around for some advice seniors would give to freshmen based on what questions freshmen often have.
When it comes to confidence, the freshmen have a lot of it. However, they may want a few tips when in doubt. Seniors Isaac Knight, Jayson Monks, and Marcus Grant gave their input on building confidence in this concrete jungle.
Jayson Monks, a senior in the top 10, gave his advice on how to develop your confidence based on his past experience. He begins by stating, “I can definitely speak more confidently about myself and about what I can do. Freshman year I was very timid and I wasn’t very confident in myself. Senior year I’m a lot more confident with what I know I can do.” He then continued by explaining what he did to become comfortable in his own skin. “If I was a freshman and I wanted advice from a top senior I would say don’t be scared to take leaps out of what you’re not used to doing. Before, freshman year I didn’t do any sports, and I didn’t take any hard classes. [Now that I’m] doing sports I find it really fun. [There’s a] social aspect, there’s a community of people that [cares] about me and wants to talk to me. When it comes to academics, whether or not you want to do hard stuff like AP classes. Go ahead and take it, there’s nothing stopping you.”
Currently, Jayson is on the swimming and water polo teams, both really intense sports, he said, “If you don’t want to do any land sports, I would say do the watersports, everybody there is really welcoming and they just love hanging out with people.”
Now for those who feel they don’t have a problem with confidence and instead need a little motivation, there is something for you, too. Senior Issac Knight, a Varsity football player and one of our top weightlifters shares some motivation for freshmen getting into our clubs. “Advice I’d give to a freshman or JV football player is just keep working, the time will come. Every year people are going to graduate so eventually you’re gonna have your turn to be the senior and start to get play time. Don’t quit. Good clubs [you should join,] I’d say is the BETA club, or National Honors Society if you can. Sports, I would say, football, football is a good sport to join. It will help you learn a lot of skills in life. Be yourself no matter what and don’t let other people discourage you from what you want to do in life, keep working.”
Senior Sierra James adds to that advice by saying, “One thing that changed [from freshman year] is that I don’t come to school late. I didn’t do any clubs in high school [however] I think it’s important to get involved. Clubs like the student council SGA, and BETA club specifically. I think are some good clubs. One regret I made during freshman year is probably not taking school as seriously as I should have. I thought it was not important, but we all need grades and stuff to graduate. School is really important and it’s something that you should take seriously. Some general advice would be to not get into drama and if you have friends who are always getting into drama you should separate yourself. Don’t let your assignments pile up just get it done.”
After speaking to some seniors seniors we interviewed freshmen about their high school experience so far, The Blue and White interviewed Aureliano Rosario a freshman JV football player at Apopka High School. He commented on some advice from senior Benjamin Adkins. He says, “Don’t put off work unless you know you can get it done before deadlines.” They recommend the National Honors Society Club to help keep up with grades and learn from the people above you. AJ’s response was, “ I’ll do my best not to fall behind with being a student-athlete. I am not sure I have time to join the NHS, but it is a great recommendation and excellent advice for all freshmen. It’s definitely something that you should follow, so don’t just put stuff off because you can or it’s due later just get it done and you will be successful.”
To our AHS freshmen, The Blue and White hopes you have an excellent first year of high school, don’t dwell on the downs, look forward to the ups, and make memories.
