By Jordan Jackson, Current Writer
Four years of high school flies by awfully fast, and looking back, we all have things we would have done differently. Here, recent high school graduates speak to their younger freshmen selves, giving advice they wish they heard that could be helpful to current freshmen, as well as all younger students.
“I would tell my freshman self that your hard work is worth it. It’s sometimes difficult to see at the moment that what you’re doing will have any benefit in the future, but it does! Studying extra for that test or spending extra time practicing for that activity will end up paying off in the end. Don’t stress over the unknown, and don’t worry about whether what you’re doing is right or wrong. Be confident in who you are, and be proud of the effort you put in.”
-Sonia Goyal
“Enjoy your time because it’s going to be over before you know it. Go to all the events and take all the opportunities because you are going to regret it if you don’t. You should go to a basketball or football game, or even a random club giving away free food! You never know who you’ll run into or what new curiosity you’ll discover. Things are going to change very quickly, so love high school while it lasts. I feel like freshman year was just yesterday. The past four years came and went so incredibly fast, and I wish I could just go back in time and relive it all over again. As you make your way through freshman year, there will be days that feel long and lectures that feel like they may never come to an end, but don’t let that stop you from having fun, making memories, and enjoying some of the best times of your life.”
-Jordan Ogbolu
“I would tell myself to not be afraid to ask for help. It’s not a sign of ‘weakness,’ and it will actually help you out a lot in the long run. Teachers know exactly what is best for you when it comes to finishing an assignment they created. Listen to them, because convincing yourself that only you know what’s best for you is going to hurt you in the long run.”
-Jalen Geason
“If there is one thing that I would tell my freshman self, it is to not be impulsive and to always take care of your mental health. I most definitely wish I went to bed early or took some time every day to do something I enjoy. If something’s on your mind, go talk to someone about it. All of these things sound obvious, but they’re massively important.”
-Jonathan Han
All of the seniors interviewed indicated that you have four years at River Hill to do amazing things, and that you don’t need to force and stress over it, especially during your freshman year. Instead, make an effort to take advantage of RHHS’s unique offerings and to embark upon, relax, and live in the moment.