Q:

I am a freshman at Cardozo High School this year and I am really nervous about starting a new school. I came from a smaller school and not a lot of my friends came here. High school makes me really nervous and I am scared I am going to mess up already.

-Anonymous

A:

Dear Reader,

It’s totally normal and natural to feel nervous when starting a new school, especially when transitioning from middle school to high school. It’s also hard when your childhood friends don’t come along with you for the ride. While it may seem scary because Cardozo is bigger, a bit more crowded, and even more intimidating than anything you have been through before, there are tons of ways for you to truly make the most out of the next four years.

The first thing you should do is simple: don’t be so hard on yourself! It’s easy to think that the next four years are going to be scary. But, at the end of the day, high school is what you make of it. You get what you give—the more time and effort you put into your school work, your friendships, and even your time outside of the classroom in clubs and teams, the more you will see come true for you.

The next thing you should do is make some realistic goals for yourself. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself right now to accomplish everything in the first week or two of high school. Instead, try to figure out what matters to you most at the moment. Maybe you want to make some new friends—going to the club fair and checking out new clubs would be a great way to make some new groups of friends you may not have met before. Another priority may be your grades. You don’t want to fail. So, setting time schedules and reminders for yourself is an great way to stay on top of your work.

Another thing to remember is high school isn’t just about going to class and going home. Get involved! There are so many clubs, teams, and even programs at Cardozo that you may not know about. The beginning of the year is filled with fairs, events, and sign ups that you can try. Joining and taking part in school events may seem like a lot, especially if you live far and take more than one bus to get home, but trust me it’s worth it. Some of your best memories and your best friendships can be made during these type of things.

Finally, a key thing to remember is that your teachers and the staff here at Cardozo are here to help you. Never be afraid to ask for help when you are feeling lost, overwhelmed, or simply have a question. A lot of students have this idea that teachers are out to get them and that they all want to see us fail. That’s not even it. Most of them, if not all of them, want us to do well and succeed. It makes them happy to see us do well and to move onto great things. You may not believe it now, but just wait and see who is cheering you on when you win an award or get an A. Seek out help when needed. You’re never truly alone, even when it may feel that way.

Always remember, no matter how scary things may seem now, you’ll look back down the road and wonder, ‘why was I even worried in the first place.’

Yours Truly,

The Verdict