Freshman year was far from perfect. But along the way, I’ve learned it’s important to love yourself for who you are, not let others control how you feel, and just be yourself. My whole life, I was always so excited to get to high school and finally start my life, but the reality hit very quickly. One thing nobody tells you about is the stress that comes with starting something new and different.
One of the hardest things for me was the first day when everything started to become real: picking up my schedule, finding my classes, and who was going to be in my classes. But very quickly, I learned my way around the building, and all of the stress went away. As I got more comfortable with my routine, there were moments that made my freshman year. These last few months have definitely been something, but there have been some memorable moments that I would go back to in a heartbeat.

One of them was homecoming; dressing up, being with friends, and taking pictures was certainly unforgettable. Another thing was the football games. I went to almost every home game. It was fun cheering, being with my friends, and enjoying the games. One thing I wish I knew about going into high school is all of the opportunities available to me. There are so many clubs and volunteering options to choose from, along with so much freedom— a big difference from Junior high. This year was more challenging than I expected, with ups and downs I never saw coming, but it also allowed me to see who I was and who I could rely on.
Friendship is a very complicated thing, and freshman year fully shows that. You meet new people, things change, and life goes on. Yet, there are always those moments that are worth remembering, they remind you of who’s there for you. Some friendships fade, and that’s part of life. And some grow stronger, even when you least expect it. I’ve learned that the people who support you during your hardest times accept you for who you are.
Looking back, I wish I hadn’t spent so much time worrying about what would come, when there was nothing to stress about. This year, I’ve learned so much, including that I should have trusted myself. I’ve realized that everything falls into place the way it’s meant to, as long as you stay true to who you are. I’ve also learned the value of trusting the process, letting go of the small stuff, and understanding that things work out exactly as they’re supposed to.