As a new school year starts, there are many new faces at Foran, including the freshmen class of 2028. With the transition from middle school to high school, they are entering a new chapter of their lives. The Foran community is responsible for making the freshmen feel comfortable for not only their first year, but for their entire high school career.
When entering a new environment, there tends to be struggles. The freshmen have spent their first month getting used to the new school, schedule and people.
Freshman Lena Pangu, states, “So far in high school some of my struggles have been understanding the way our schedule changes throughout the week and becoming familiar with the halls of school.”
Because the schedule changes daily, it can be hard to keep track of work. The easiest way to ensure you are staying on top of work is to have a planner. There are multiple options, either online or an assignment pad. Testing different methods can help find what works best.
“I have noticed a quicker pace in my classes as well as a larger amount of school work. I have also struggled with procrastinating and doing my work last minute,” Pangu states.
There are many things freshmen can do to make the adjustment period easier. Within the school, there are the numeracy and literacy centers, school counselors and other teachers who will provide support and assistance.
School Counselor Jakob Rosengrant states, “Help can come in different ways; talking to a friend, emailing a teacher, stopping in to see your counselor, etc. Asking questions may seem difficult or intimidating, but it’s way easier than continuing to feel lost in class and not understand what’s going on.”
It is important to remember that the majority of the new students are going through the same thing.
Freshman Advisor Alexandra Tubridy, states, “We will encourage them to get involved. It is good for them to branch out, try new things and meet new people.”
One of the most important steps to take as a freshman is getting to know people. The next four years will be spent with the staff and students. Becoming comfortable with the people will make it that much easier to be comfortable in the school. The easiest way to meet new people is to participate, try something new, and be engaged.
“I think that’s the best thing for involvement—even if we don’t have it, it doesn’t mean you can’t start it. If you’re not someone who is into playing sports, be sure to come out to the games to support your friends and classmates,” Rosengrant says.
There are opportunities to join any of the sports at Foran which is a great way to meet new people. If not, you can join a club or start your own. This year, there are many new clubs started by students.
There are a variety of ways to get involved, seek help, and get assistance to make the next years at Foran the best they can be.
