Senior Advice for Freshmen: What to Do, What Not to Do at NDA

Maureen Schick, Staff Writer, Advanced Journalism

Senior Maureen Schick offers the advice of a veteran Triton to the newbies at NDA.

DON’T be afraid to reach out to new people.

Coming to a new school with so many new faces can be scary at first. Just remember that everyone else is in the same boat–going to a new school, not knowing many people and worrying about what everything will be like. Reaching out beyond your typical group of friends is a great way to meet new people who have some of the same interests as you.

DO get involved.

One of the best ways to meet new people is by getting involved in a sport, club or extracurricular. There is something for every NDA student and every interest from fencing to drama to cross country and just about anything in between to get you involved with something you like doing. If you don’t know what interests you yet, high school is the time to try it!

DON’T be afraid to get help if you need it.

Every student needs help every now and then, and being a freshman student is no exception. If you don’t understand something in class, ask your teacher to help you understand it better; teachers are usually at school before first hour, and most stay later to help any students that need it. If you really aren’t getting a topic or subject, sign up for Peer Tutoring in Student Services. This is a great way to have something explained in a different way to you.

DO get organized.

High school is a busy and hectic time in your life, and there is no possible way you will remember your math homework when you have a club meeting, an athletic game and five other subjects’ worth of homework due tomorrow as well. NDA gives planners out for a reason; take advantage of it! Your planner will help you remember the things you have to do for that day, and it will help you to not forget any last-minute tests.

DO go to morning mass.

This is the best way to decompress when you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed with something in your life. Take an hour to spend some time in prayer, and you will let go of your worries and realize how blessed you really are.

DO challenge yourself this year.

Although coming to a brand-new school is hard, the academics are going to be much harder than they were in middle school. This is the time to do the best that you can because freshman year grades really do make a difference when it comes time to apply to college (even if it seems like a long way away). Challenge yourself in every aspect of your academics–it will be worth it in the long run!

DON’T forget who you are and where you come from.

Freshman year can be extremely frustrating, fun, exciting and hard, but through it all, don’t forget to take some time to take a breath and enjoy it. You only get to be a freshman once, so take advantage of it and enjoy every second!