Advice for Freshman from the Class of 2026

Juliana Buckmaster ~  November 2025

Freshman year involves new beginnings and frightening encounters that can be hard to navigate through. I asked a few seniors any range of advice that they would give to upcoming and current freshmen. 

“What advice would you give to freshmen right now?”

Abby Harris: “Schedule your guidance counselor meetings early, because you want to be the most prepared for life after high school. The guidance office can get really backed up, so definitely make your meetings early. It’s also so important to get to know your guidance counselor as well!” 

-This statement is completely valid, because when you reach junior and senior year the sign up in the guidance office becomes insanely crowded and it can be extremely overwhelming. Making your meetings early will definitely help you feel more prepared and can be one more thing to check off your to do list! Being open and talking with your counselor is never a weird thing because they are going to be the ones helping you navigate your high school experience. 

Amelia Holt-Smith: “Don’t be afraid to go talk to your teachers for help. Once I realized that it is honestly not that scary to ask them for help, I’ve felt so much more confident in the work that I do in their class. ”

-Asking teachers for help definitely can be scary at first, but there are so many benefits from it. You better understand the content in the class, you feel less confused, and you even form a connection with that teacher! Every student learns differently, so talking one on one with your teacher helps them understand your learning strategies, ultimately bettering you as a student. 

Sama Bisrat: “Choose clubs that speak to you, because within those clubs you can find a community that you can hold throughout your whole high school experience. Try not to follow the crowd, but instead do what you are interested in.” 

-As I look back on my past years at Nardin, I realize that the main palace where I truly got to express my own talents and abilities was in my clubs. Here at Nardin you get a lot of freedom to choose the clubs that you want to be in, which is a great opportunity for shaping who you are as a person. It is tempting to follow your friends and join the clubs that they are in, but following your own passions is how you find your group of friends that have the same interests as you! 

Addie Williams: “Be open to trying new things that you didn’t think you would be interested in. Don’t be afraid to embrace all your passions and change your mind about things. You grow a lot during your four years here!”

-Finding out who you truly are is a beautiful aspect of life, and sometimes involves scary actions. Trying new things such as a sport, club, running for house council, and even going up to someone and introducing yourself is the most essential part of joining the community here. Your mind and interests will definitely change over the course of time, but that is something to embrace! Like said above, Nardin has so many opportunities for one to join certain clubs and groups that appeal to their interests, so never be afraid to take the extra step and join them!

And a special guest…Mrs. Wilczek!

Mrs. Wilczek: “Try to make a good impression on the people around you.”

-Such a short statement really speaks volumes. A teacher’s perspective is good to have, because they are the ones interacting with every student. No one really knows who you are when you are a freshman, so it is imperative that you be the best student in your teachers classes. Acting in a respectful manner will always be the best aspect of creating a good reputation for yourself.