The first year of high school is a tough time for most students. Learning the ropes and adjusting to a new environment is a challenge that most overcome within the first couple of months.

By sophomore year, most students are confident with school, lose the stress of being a freshman, and realize that there are things they could have done differently.

Upperclassmen share their thoughts on what they wish they would’ve known their freshman year, hoping it will help others learn from their choices.

Kyle Langworthy, Junior

What do you think was the hardest adjustment coming into the high school?

“The hardest adjustment was going from the top of the school in middle school to being the bottom in the high school,” Langworthy said.

Is there anything you would’ve done differently now, looking back at your freshman year?

“There isn’t anything I would do differently,” Langworthy said. “Everything that has happened has shaped who I am.”

What tips would you give on staying organized with school work?

“Organization is overrated,” Langworthy said.

Chloe Vollmar, Junior

What do you think was the hardest adjustment coming into the high school?

“I think the hardest adjustment going into high school was having friends who were in the grades above me, then watching them graduate and move off to college without me,” Vollmar said. “I was happy for them, but it was hard knowing they wouldn’t be around much anymore.”

Is there anything you would’ve done differently now, looking back at your freshman year?

“Looking back, I wouldn’t have done anything different,” Vollmar said. “I love the decisions I’ve made and continue to make — they’ve made me who I am.”

What tips would you give on staying organized with school work?

“I recommend having different folders for every class and using a planner so you know which classes you have homework in,” Vollmar said.

Stephen White, Junior

What do you think was the hardest adjustment coming into the high school?

“I think the hardest adjustment for me was feeling obligated to act older and more mature,” White said.

Is there anything you would’ve done differently now, looking back at your freshman year?

“Looking back at my previous high school years, I would have tried harder in AP World History with (Mr. Rob) Markwardt,” White said.

What tips would you give on staying organized with school work?

“I recommend others to consider using multiple binders for each class,” White said. “Possibly even a binder or folder specifically just for homework.”

Maikayla Josling, Senior

What do you think was the hardest adjustment coming into the high school?

“I think it’d have to be the diversity in grades,” Josling said. “Like, personally, it was a lot more integrated freshman through seniors; whereas, the middle people kind of stuck in their own grade.”

Is there anything you would’ve done differently now, looking back at your freshman year?

“I definitely wouldn’t have spent as much time on temporary people,” Josling said. “I would’ve focused more on my school work than what’s going on in someone else’s life.”

What tips would you give on staying organized with school work?

“Don’t be afraid to be over-organized. Find a system that works for you and stick with it,” Josling said. “It never hurts to have a binder or folders beyond what the teacher tells you that you need.”

Brendan White, Senior

What do you think was the hardest adjustment coming into the high school was?

“The hardest adjustment was probably the freedom. The teachers don’t hover over you quite like they do when you’re younger. The further along you get (in high school) the more responsible you are for yourself,” White said. “They do a lot more of just telling you what to do, rather than actually making you do it. That part is on you.”

Is there anything you would’ve done differently now looking back at your freshman year?

“If I could go back,  I would actually do my homework, instead of doing everything the hour before 99 percent of the time,” White said. “I barely ever actually did or do any of it. I’ve only gotten a little better about that.”

What tips would you give on staying organized with school work?

“If you want to stay organized, I would say give yourself a schedule,” White said. “Decide what you need to do, when you need to do it, and actually pick out times and write it out, like a to-do list.”