Freshman Year: All the Ins and Outs

Juliana Buckmaster ~  October 2025

The transition from middle school to high school is a frightening transformation that we sometimes do not get much guidance on. One would understandably have many questions about Nardin: What club should I join? How am I supposed to study for my tests? How do I form a good friend group? 

As a senior in high school, I’ve come to understand everything that goes on around Nardin, and what you need to successfully get through freshman year. Remember, high school is a momental point in everyone’s lives, it’s important to live it to the fullest!

• How do I understand our block schedule?

If you still haven’t come to understand the movement of our schedule at Nardin, you have no reason to worry. Personally, I did not fully grasp it until about the end of my sophomore year. It takes some time to get, but I will break it down for you! 

First Block: This is an easy one. Whatever you have first block you will always have it third block the next day. There may be an exception sometimes with a study hall or religion class, but if it is a core curriculum class such as math, history, or english, you will always have it the next day. Let’s say it’s a Monday and my first class of the day is World History. I know that on Tuesday I am going to be having that class third block. Every class continues to move down the line. 

Second Block: This one isn’t as important to know, because usually you will have a study hall second block, or you might have an elective every other day.

Third Block: The class that you have third block you will not have the next day. For example, if I have English third block on Tuesday, I will not have it Wednesday. Instead, I would have English fourth block on Thursday. This is nice because you get a day break to get the work done that you have for that class (or even get a day to recollect yourself!).

Fourth Block: Whatever class you have fourth block you will not have the next day. It is easy to remember that you will not have your third, fourth, and eight block classes the next day. If I have Geometry fourth block on Wednesday, I will not have it that Thursday. Again, this gives you a nice break for a day to catch up on homework or other activities. 

Seventh Block: Whatever class you have seventh block you will always have it eighth block the next day. For example, if I have Biology seventh block on Thursday, I will then have it eighth block on Friday. Yay! Biology last period on a Friday!

Eighth Block: As said above, the class that you have eighth block you would not have it again the next day. For example, if I have Clayworks eighth block on Thursday, I will not have it again until first block on Monday. 

Overall, our schedule moves down the line, and the days that are most important to note that you won’t have the next day are third, fourth, and eighth. Again, if you haven’t gotten the hang of it yet there is no need to stress at all. You can always write your schedule in your planner or even keep it on your phone!

• Can I join two purple clubs?

Yes you can! There isn’t a limit as to how many purple clubs you can join, but it could overlap with some of your other clubs and classes. For example, you can be in Interior Design Club and Kaleidoscope while also being in Art Club and Food Friendzy! Keep in mind that it can get overwhelming with the workload from some of those clubs, but it is always possible to manage

On the topics of clubs, you are also allowed to switch out a club. It is important to try to stay consistent with your clubs, but you can still always switch if needed! All you need to do is email the moderator of the club you want to switch out of and then let the moderator of the club you want to switch into know you are joining. 

• How do I form a good friend group?

One of the biggest struggles of the high school transition is finding your healthy group of girls. For some people it may come natural to find your connections, but others it may be a little harder. One of the ways that I found most helpful to forming the friend groups I have today is to be mutuals with everyone. Don’t focus on making just one tight friend group. While that is always fun to have, focus on being the person who is friends with everyone. This will be so beneficial for the rest of your future, and will help you create a positive reputation. I’ve noticed that being friends with everyone helps make your classes, sports, and clubs so much easier to enjoy. Joining sports or the musical are always great ways to make friends. First off, you are going to create a connection with someone that has the same interests as you, and you now have friends to hang out with after school! We have so many sports to offer at Nardin, so I would definitely suggest joining one and creating new friendships! 

Remember, there is no need to stress during your freshman year. While things seem overwhelming, it is never the end. Life is going to continuously move on, and everything will fall into place!