Before the First Bell
Advice from Lake Forest High School Sophomores to Incoming Lake Bluff Freshman
Compiled and written by Hannah Paszczykowski and Caroline Daniels
Hannah Paszczykowski, Rising Sophomore:
“Freshman year is something you can’t fully prepare for. It’s exciting, a little overwhelming and different for everyone. As a rising sophomore, I turned to this year’s sophomores for the answers I wish I’d had. I hope this helps make your first year a little less intimidating. Good luck—you’ve got this!”
Caroline Daniels, Rising Freshman:
“As an excited rising freshman, I’m interested in the how high school differs from middle school. Since the high school is so much bigger, I’m also a little nervous about navigating the layout, finding my classes and getting there on time and I was sure other freshman felt the same way!”
Jojo Helmer asks: “If you do a sport in the fall is it hard to fit in all of your schoolwork and practices after school?”
Hannah Paszczykowski:
“It completely depends on the night. Sometimes you may have to stay up a little later, but everyone on your team is adjusting to more work too. You can always ask your teammates for help because chances are they’re just as confused! Once you get the hang of balancing your work and using study hall wisely, it gets easier. Fall sports are a great way to meet people, so don’t let schoolwork stop you from enjoying your sport.”
Hayden Steinbach asks: “Is high school a big change from middle school?”
Caroline Daniels:
“High school is definitely different from middle school. You can choose from more classes, join a wider variety of clubs, and you’ll have more work. It can seem overwhelming at first, but you adjust quickly. You also get more freedom, like going to the library, resource center, or testing center during the day if you need to. That independence teaches you time management, and even though it was a big step up for me, I adapted pretty quickly.”
Eloise Henkel asks: “How do friendships change as you leave middle school and started highschool?”
Rayna Chowdhury:
“How friendships change depends on your situation, but I think they’ll change for the better. I ended up with a completely new friend group, which was hard at first, but it just took time. Now I love my friends so much. Most people I know kept their old friends while making new ones, too. My biggest advice is not to stress about friendship drama. Just be kind to everyone, and don’t be afraid to sit with different people at lunch!”
Magnus Wilcox asks: “Are there any classes that help to stay organized?”
Wells Baasen:
“Staying organized becomes really important in freshman year, and luckily the school offers great resources. like Executive Functioning, which you can take during your study hall. The class helps you stay organized and keep up with your assignments throughout the year. My teacher, Mr. Hain, was really encouraging and helpful. Freshman year is definitely a big adjustment but keeping your backpack and materials organized every day makes a huge difference.”