720…remember this number…why? Because by the time you graduate, there will have been 720 days of high school. You have 720 days to make your high school years the best years of your life! This leads me to my first tip, make every day count!

Below are the top answers to the question: “What did you wish you knew as a freshman at SMCHS?”

1. Be open minded to making new friends! Don’t wait until senior year to branch out. Don’t hesitate to have friends in other grades too! Sometimes a simple “hello” or a shared moment of laughing can lead to new friendships.

2. Get involved right away – you might regret waiting until senior year to try something new. Remember… choose your classes and activities based on your interests, not “just because it looks good on your resume or college application.”

3. Go ALL OUT on spirit days!!!

4. Teachers’ office hours are a great way to get extra help! Don’t be afraid to meet with them before tests or big assignments are due. You may even want to review your tests after grading. Teachers are people too… they like to chat and laugh too!

5. Club rush is September 21^st! Joining clubs is a great way to meet people with common interests! You can even start your own.

6. Go to sporting events and CHEER! School spirit is respected! The more you have, the better!

7. Make a friend in every class!

8. Be sure to go to the Welcome Dance! It is most students’ favorite night of the year.

9. Go on class retreats! Some of your best high school memories are guaranteed to be made there! Sign up early because they fill up fast.

10. Keep an ongoing list of your activities (sports, community service, etc.). Take note of any special positions held, hours per week, and any awards received. This will be super helpful when applying for college.

11. Don’t underestimate the power of your freshman year grades… they matter and be sure to turn in your homework.

12. Don’t forget to charge your tablet every night!

13. Show respect to everyone you meet… this includes fellow students, teachers, faculty members, and parents.

14. The MOST IMPORTANT TIP of all, in my opinion, is to be safe when driving. DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE. DO NOT CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN DRIVING. AND, IF YOU ARE IN A CAR WITH A DISTRACTED DRIVER, SPEAK UP FOR YOUR SAFETY! Take the pledge at LookUpOC.org.

Another way to look at it is this…if someone gave you $720, would you throw even $1 away? No… so don’t waste your days at SM! Every day you walk on to campus, you have a choice to make. Make that choice with a positive attitude and decide to make it a great day to be an Eagle!

 

-Maggie Jennison – Class of 2017