High school flies by – something almost every freshman has heard upon entering. The new, unexplored territory can seem daunting at times. A plethora of questions flood the brain of a new student: What should I focus on? What is important? How do I make the most of these four years? How do I find friends? The list goes on. However, to ease the pressure, turning to our school’s hardworking seniors for advice can be one of the best ways to gain insight in navigating the maze of high school. 

Two of Mount Pisgah’s seniors, Ella English and Lila-Belle Mutch, offered to give their advice. Both are hard-working students and have already made their college decisions, Mutch at Clemson and English at Samford. They shared what they wished they knew as freshmen.

Academics, for good reason, are seen as the main focus in high school. 

“First, grades do matter. This is the first year everything really starts to count, and these are the first grades colleges will see. I would say work hard freshman year to get the best grades possible,” English said. “Working hard to get good grades is essential because it shows colleges that you are determined and willing to challenge yourself.” 

Grades can reflect not only academic abilities, but also work ethic and skills that extend beyond the classroom.

Furthermore, Mutch provided another perspective. 

“If I could redo freshman year, I would’ve chosen more challenging classes. I wish I hadn’t been so scared of not having perfect grades, and had challenged myself more.” 

While grades are important, learning and growth matter just as much. 

Friendships play another large role in high school. 

“I definitely experienced friendship changes throughout high school. I learned it’s crucial to find people who support your goals, are loyal and share your values,” said Mutch. 

English echoed similar ideas, “Focus on finding really good friends you can rely on. It took me a while to find my friend group but I believe these girls will be at my wedding one day.” 

High school has its ups and downs, and having the right people there to support you and help you push through the challenges will make everything so much easier and enjoyable. 

English reflected on what she learned from those changes, “I learned that change is okay and can actually be the best thing that ever happens to you. I also learned that even though it can be hard to leave past friendships, everything works out in the end and is part of God’s plan.” 

Friendships are not the only kinds of relationships that are important to have in high school. 

“Building strong relationships with teachers, peers, friends, and family is so important for having the best high school experience,” added English. 

Overall, having a good relationship with the people in your environment can make it so much easier to be supported and ask for help. Using your resources is something that can and will help you in every situation.

A commonly overlooked aspect of high school is extracurriculars. 

“Extracurriculars like sports and clubs are a great way to get involved in your school community and strengthen your college résumé,” said English. 

They provide valuable learning experiences, help students find their interests, and make you stand out in college applications.

Both seniors emphasized the importance of being in tune with yourself. 

“I think that finding your passion is the most important thing to focus on in high school,” said Mutch. “Focus on trying new things and exploring different avenues to find something you want to pursue in college.” 

“To me, the most important things to focus on in high school are relationships, extracurriculars, faith, grades and having fun. Having fun with your friends and making memories you will remember for the rest of your life is so important,” added English. “Also, going to a Christian school, I believe that faith in God’s plan has been a very important focus in my high school career.” 

Faith is such a good thing to focus on, and it is something that helps in every situation. God will always be there for you and trusting in God’s plan is key in letting go of your worries and having faith that everything will be alright, and students often forget that in their busy lives. 

Lastly, feeling lost or overwhelmed is one of the great obstacles that can present itself throughout one’s high school career. 

“Those feelings are completely valid. You will get through this, and everything you’re doing will be worth it. Be present, because it all goes by so fast. I am so proud of myself and my classmates for pushing through and working hard,” said English. “I want to encourage you that you will get through this and come out stronger.”

Mutch shares a way to deal with those feelings.

“When I am feeling this way, I always remind myself to focus on what is right in front of me. Taking things one step at a time helps me to find clarity.” 

Stepping into high school can be both exciting and nerve wracking. It is a new beginning and the stepping stone into being fully out in the real world. Learning from those who have already experienced it can help freshmen feel more prepared to make the most of these four years. This is a time to grow, explore, and make memories that will last. High school doesn’t wait for anyone, and it’s up to you to make the most of it.