Hilliard Bradley’s seniors give freshman advice on how to navigate high school

by Jayla Shanmugam,, Editor-in-Chief

The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.

It has been an absolutely insane year and it’s hard for some of us to remember that it is especially challenging for freshmen. These students are just now entering a new environment and trying to acclimate alongside all of the changes with the pandemic. The Jaguar Times wanted to reach out to some seniors and have them give freshmen advice on how to handle their first year of high school.

Grace Markley (12) gets interviewed on her advice for seniors. Photo by Grace Markley.

When asked about their advice for freshmen Skyler Green (12) commented, “Have fun with your friends because time goes by fast. Overall, just cherish your high school years” Time does move incredibly quickly in high school so it is important that you soak up everything before it all goes away. This was a very big wake up call for many seniors as all of our expectations for our ending of high school have been changed. Grace Markley (12) agreed saying, “make the most of everything, all four years of high school I was looking forward to senior year and making the most of that while ignoring the opportunities I did have. You never know when you’re experiencing a last time so just soak it all in.”

It is also very vital to step out of your comfort zone in high school, which can seem extremely overwhelming and daunting your first year. You can do this by participating in things that make you feel a part of Bradley's community. Jenna Vosskuehler (12) said, “Find activities that are of interest, try your best, and have fun!” Some of the best experiences in high school are in classes or clubs that you love, so don’t be afraid to join them!

In light of the pandemic seniors had some guidance for freshmen on how to manage high school with COVID-19. Clare Flanagan (12) commented, “Entering high school with COVID going on can be really hard mentally, but you need to find one person that you know you can talk to along with finding a hobby that will keep yourself occupied and your mind off the stressful things going on!” Making friends at Bradley is something that can really make students feel more comfortable in their new environment. We all need someone to lean on, especially now, so try and reach out and make some friends! Overall, this year is stressful for everyone, but The Jaguar Times recognizes how freshmen are feeling. We will all pull through this together and even though it isn’t the year any of us imagined, let’s make the most of it!