A new school year means new beginnings, new friendships and new experiences. To my dear freshmen, this coming school year can be an extremely scary time. However, there’s no need to fret; my senior self is here to assist you with an intro to your first year of high school.

The first thing that needs to be discussed is the topic of destruction around the school. In previous years, it seemed to have turned into a trend for lowerclassmen to be somewhat destructive around here, especially in the bathrooms. Let’s be extremely clear: destroying things around school does not make you cool or funny. We have a brand new school and your predecessors have endured “portacity” for almost two years. We deserve the beautiful new school we are receiving without having to worry about whether or not it will be ruined within a few months.

Adding on to things that do not make one cool or likable: running full speed down the halls like this is the Olympics. There is plenty of time to get between classes without having to sprint across campus. I somewhat understand the need to run though since there are some that decide to stand in the middle of the hallway with zero sense of self-awareness. Don’t be that person either, it’s just as bad if not worse than running around everywhere.

Yet another important thing to heavily consider is personal hygiene. This of course is not directed to every incoming freshman, but to the select few that don’t think showering is necessary in this great Floridian heat and humidity. Please do this, if not for yourself but for the well-being of those around you, just please shower.

You may also think freshman year grades don’t matter that much and I hate to be that person to say “don’t let your grades slip,” but it must be said. In your position four years ago, I also thought they didn’t matter all that much, but I could not have been more wrong. Don’t do what I did and think of your future.

I remember my first day of freshman year, absolutely terrified, and constantly getting lost. As a part of this year’s freshmen, however, you have the benefit of a new school where everyone will be lost, so you won’t be alone. If you are confused at any point, don’t be afraid to ask, we upperclassmen won’t bite, I promise.

An amazing way to get into the groove of things pretty quickly is to get involved. Join clubs, sports and just other programs around the school. It may be cliché to say, but getting involved is the absolute best way to meet new people and be part of the bigger picture. The experiences from this will stick with you forever.

You’ve now come to the near end of this “letter” and may be thinking “none of this will be me, I’ll be different.” Trust me, you’re not, which is totally fine and expected. Everyone needs their weird freshmen phase and I say embrace it for the time being and learn who you are.

Let’s just face the facts for a moment: who you are now, no matter how great you are, will change over the next four years. In my opinion, high school is the most amazing time to change as a person. My thought process as a senior is completely different than it was back in August 2020. I’m a completely different person. I’ve matured during my time here, and so will you. If you’re nervous to start the new year, know you’re not alone on that, it will be all be fine, and if it’s not, you’ll recover. Welcome to Robinson.