Top 10 tips for incoming freshmen
- Join a sport or club
“Go to the club and activities fair to see clubs that interest you, or ask friends what clubs they are doing,” said Junior Alex Corr. Finding something you are invested in outside of class can keep you motivated and help you find people with similar interests. ETHS offers nearly 50 sports, ranging from table tennis to powerlifting. For more niche interests, clubs vary in topic from Soap Club to Writers’ Showcase. Plus, if you think a club is missing, you can always start your own!
2. Try something new
“Don’t be afraid to try clubs or sports even if you don’t know anyone else who’s doing it,” said Junior Ariana Valavanis. It can be intimidating to walk into a room full of people you have never met, but everyone in your grade is going through the same thing. In four years, you might realize this club was how you found your closest friends.
3. Put yourself out there
“Branch out and talk to people! Even if you knew them in middle school, it’s a great chance to get to know people better,” said Sophomore Brooke Bowman. Once again, every other freshman is looking to meet new people just like you are. “Don’t be scared to put yourself out there,” said Junior Selam Dejene. “Be kind!”
4. Find a group of people
“Going into it having a group of people you have something in common with makes it feel so much less stressful,” said Sophomore Liv Hammer. Whether through a club, a sport, or something else, it helps to find connections with people who might be in your classes or your lunch block. “It’s so much fun to make new connections, and it leads to so much more fun and opportunities for growth,” added Senior Eden Osborne.
5. Focus on your classes
“Pay attention in class, listen to the teacher and go for good grades,” said Sophomore John Spyrison. Some classes may be more difficult than they were in middle school, and others may not feel like classes at all. This is your time to find a balance; remember that your freshman year classes count toward your future, but do not worry too much about every last point in the gradebook.
6. Manage your time
“Do your high priority homework first, and work on big projects in small steps. Even if something isn’t due for a week, make sure to do part of it each day,” said Junior Brynn Litus. With more classwork and more activities outside of class, it can become too difficult to just remember everything you have to do. Use a planner to keep track of what you have to do, and take advantage of the ETHS support systems, including Wildkit Academy, AM Support and peer tutoring.
7. Prepare for finals
“Study throughout the semester and then it will be easier to study for finals,” said Junior Liam Kipnis. Finals might sound intimidating at first, but if you prepare in advance, they won’t feel as difficult as they seem. Again, use the academic support systems in place when you need them, and be aware of deadlines that might seem far in the future.
8. Don’t get overwhelmed
“Take advantage of the opportunities and activities, but try not to get overwhelmed by them either— you don’t need to do it all,” said Junior Ruby Matouschek. With the number of clubs, sports and classes that ETHS offers, it can be easy to think you are not doing enough or trying everything you should. Remember that this range of activities is here to support you, not overwhelm you. This wide range of clubs is not here so you can try them all, but instead so you can find the best ones for you.
10. Work hard
“Always try your best, especially when it’s hard,” said Evan Fouts, who graduated from ETHS last year. Join activities, find friends, study for classes and use the many resources available to you, and keep in mind that you get out of ETHS what you put in.
11. Enjoy it!
Finally, as Senior Annika Wartowski said, “Be kind, have fun, live in the moment. It flies by.”
