Freaked about making the leap from middle school to high school? Don’t worry hun, it’s not as bad as you might think!

I never really knew exactly how I felt about starting high school. I was excited to make new friends and learn new things, but I was also deathly afraid of not being able to find my way around and trying to steer clear of upperclassmen.

“I expected the work to be difficult, so I was dreading that. But also, since I came from a small middle school that had no extra-curricular activities, I was looking forward to the many that my high school had to offer,” says freshman Paige Gandy.

So, for all those new incoming freshman out there, I’m here to help you make it through your first year of high school! Here are 10 fabulous tips to help you get through the year.

• Remember, you are not alone: There are thousands of teens across the country experiencing their first year of high school. Although you may feel a million different things, just remind yourself that there are people that are feeling the same way. Brush those feelings aside and put a smile on your face!
• Join an interesting club or sport: High school is the time to try new things and, luckily for you, your school has so much to offer! There are so many clubs to choose from like the Art club, Newspaper Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Mathletes, and so many more! Many schools also offer a wide variety of sports, so if you’ve always wanted to tryout lacrosse or soccer, now’s your time to try. Joining a club or sport is also a great way to meet people, and it looks good on college applications!
• Don’t be afraid to make new friends: There are many people who share the same interests as you and are seeking those who share the same interest. However, you must remember to keep in touch with your true childhood squad.
• Don’t let a relationship consume your life: Although relationships are wonderful to have, education always comes first. This also includes your relationship with One Direction.
• Do not give in to peer pressure: One of the most important things I have learned in my first year was to listen to your heart. People will like you more if you do not follow the crowd because it shows that you are confident and comfortable in your own skin.
• DO NOT Procrastinate: Procrastination is your biggest enemy from now on. My best tips are to create a homework schedule and stick to it. Write down all of your assignments in a planner and finish things sooner rather than later.
• Your teachers are there to help you: I’m sure many people have already told you this, but I’m going to tell you again. High school teachers want to make sure you clearly understand the material. Even though your teacher might not be the brightest, keep in mind that she is only trying to help you. Also, high school teachers are the coolest! Now that you’re older, they don’t treat you like you’re a child.
• Upperclassmen really aren’t so bad: They may look super intimidating, but they were in your same position once; they understand how you feel. You can always go to one of them if you have a question about anything. Plus, they can make pretty great friends. They can give you the low-down on teachers, classes, and the ins-and-outs of freshman year at your school.
• Don’t waste your weekends: When your workload increases during high school, sometimes you’ll need to make hard sacrifices like skipping a party on Friday night to work on a project. But don’t think that’s the end of the world because you can hang with your buds on Saturday. Maintaining a social life in high school is super important! It prevents you from getting too stressed about classes.
• Have fun: I cannot stress this enough! High school is supposed to be some of the greatest years of your life! Live it and love it to the fullest every day, and remember, endless possibilities for your future are starting that first day of school. I wish you all luck when it comes to your first day of high school. It isn’t as scary as you make it out to be.

What were your feelings about starting high school, and how did you deal with them?