A Fresh Start

August 4, 2009

As summer begins to come to a close the students, teachers, and parents of Novi High School get to start preparing for the 2009-2010 school year. For many students this will be like any other school year at Novi High, but for those in the class of 2013, freshmen year is about to begin. It is a huge transition from being the leaders of Novi Middle School to being the new kids on the block at Novi High School.

As I look back two summers ago when I was preparing to start my career as a high school student, I was nervous to say the least. I thought that all the rumors about the seniors telling you that your class was in the opposite direction and freshmen Fridays were actually true, but in all honesty, it is just a rumor that allows for some fun and interesting things to discuss in the hallways.

Plus the freshmen have the right to be nervous. They are moving up to a bigger school with bigger people and harder classes, but this is the time of their lives that they may find the most helpful, fun and a great learning experience.

First off, they will master the arts of balancing school work and sports with hanging out with friends. If I can give you any advice, it is to learn this quickly and be sure to never forget family and school work comes first. Although sports may be a big part of your life, education will take you a lot further in life then being able to run fast, jump high or put any kind of a ball in the goal.

Secondly, you will get to make friends that you never thought you would make. For instance, you may have a class with a junior and in the end you may end up being best friends with them for the rest of your life. So freshmen don’t think that the upperclassmen don’t like you, or don’t want to talk to you because they could turn out to be the best of all people to know. You juniors and seniors please remember the time when you were a freshman and please remember to treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Finally, my third and last piece of advice for the freshmen entering Novi High school this year is, don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it is with homework, opening your locker, or getting to a classroom you have never been to before. There are always teachers in the halls eager to get you where you need to go, as well as the nice and helpful upperclassmen that won’t point you in the wrong direction. I for one am one of those juniors that will point you in the right direction, for the most part. Just kidding, but sometimes, I still get lost and that’s okay because our school is big - a lot bigger than the middle school that’s for sure. Just don’t be afraid to talk to people you don’t know.

I hope your summer was as fun filled and exciting as the last, and I wish you the best of luck starting your first, second, third, or maybe even final year of high school. Remember, don’t be afraid, make friends, balance your school life with your social life, and most of all… have fun!