So this is it.  Your first day of high school.

I know that you’ve envisioned this moment for a while now.  Remember when you were seven and you used to steal mom’s sports bras, stuff socks into them, and flaunt around the living room like you were America’s Next Top Model?  That fuzzy white hat that you worshipped because your cool babysitter had one just like it? Remember reading Seventeen Magazine and Girlslife, not understanding completely what the topics were about, but making sure that you were reading what the “big girls” read?

Now you’ve finally made it- an official teenager! You must think that you’re this brand new girl- excuse me, woman– who has matured past the walls of St. Mary of the Woods Elementary School and ventured into your first step of adulthood. 

But you’re not an adult. Not yet. 

I’m not going to belittle you for being so naiive.  I’m not going to tell you that you will make monumental mistakes in the next four years, because honestly, you really won’t.  You’re a pretty good kid. 

However, I will tell you that the next four years will make you a different person.  At times, you may question if it was for better of for worse, but trust me, it will always be for the better. 

But, as a last semester senior who has gone through it all, I’m here to offer you a few tidbits of advice.  Not that you need it, but I know you feel a little hesitant that you won’t figure it out on your own.

Here’s my regimen to surviving freshman year broken down by month.

August 2011: Don’t set expectations.

Middle School was a lonely nightmare. I get it.  I understand that you want to change things come high school and become more social, confident, and popular.  But soon you’ll realize that- and I cannot stress this enough- POPULARITY WON’T MATTER.  Once you stop trying so hard to be someone else, you’ll attract friends who don’t care either, and having a social life will be ten times more fun. 

September 2011: Do not dye your hair. 

You’ve literally been at Regina for only 7 days.  Do not confuse everybody by coming back as a ginger after Labor Day Weekend.  Let your natural beauty shine!

October 2011: Don’t stress not over fall fling.

It was your first high school dance.  I get it! But please don’t put yourself in agony over not having a date, finding the perfect date, and hosting the after-party afterwards. But in the years to come, most of your dances will include going with a group of your gal pals, wearing a dress you bought at Forever 21 the day before, and deciding you’d rather go home and jump in bed than go to an after party.  And guess what? It’ll still be ten times more fun.

November 2011: take the fall musical more seriously.

As an ensemble member of Hairspray, you think that you have less responsibility.  Don’t slack off! Remember what your acting teacher said, “There’s no such thing as small parts, only small actors”.  Sing your heart out in the background! And listen to Mr. Hiett.  You may think he’s goofy, but he’ll be one of your favorite teachers in the future.

December 2011: Enjoy your metabolism while you can.

Eat whatever you want at those Christmas parties and don’t feel guilty because it won’t affect your twiggy physique.

January 2012: Don’t freak over finals.

If you payed attention in class that semester, then you’ll basically know everything you need for finals.  Just review it a little, but mostly, trust your knowledge.

But then again, you got really good grades on your finals that year.  Whatever, your choice.

February 2012: Embrace being young and independent

Boys have cooties.  Don’t fret over not having a Valentine this year.  Instead, don’t forget to tell your mom, dad, sister, and basset hound Lucy how much you love them.

March 2012: Expect to change interests.

Gymnastics has been a huge part of your life and your number one passion.  However, (spoiler!) this will be the year you’re just not feeling it, and decide to quit.  But guess what? That’s perfectly OK!  Don’t be afraid if you decide that you don’t have the same interest in certain hobbies anymore.  I guarantee that it’s bringing you one step closer to finding your life’s calling.

April 2012: Try something new (see above).

Freshman year is the PERFECT time to become involved in something you never imagined you would.  Even if it turns out to be something that’s definitely not your forte (ahem track and field), you’ll still learn valuable lessons, test your limits, and make new friends along the way.

May 2012: Get out there and live in the moment.

Don’t overanalyze, which I know you have the tendency to do.  Don’t automatically assume the worst.  Instead, appreciate your newly budding adolescence for what it is.  Seize the day, but also remember that sometimes even the simplest movie nights with your new friends will be the moments that you’ll reminisce over the next four years.

June 2012: It’s only the beginning.

You did it! Your first year of high school! But remember that you are only one fourth of the way there.

Over the next few years, you will grow to be the honest, mature and open-minded individual who is now writing this.  Don’t expect it to be all peaches and cream, as with the rest of life, it will have its ups and downs.  But I can tell you one thing: you will enjoy the journey through and through. 🙂

Love,

Isabela Karwatowicz, senior co-editor-in-chief 2014-2015

PS: You know how your two goals going into freshman year were to be an Orchesis Dance captain and Crown Editor-in-Chief?  All I can say is keep up the good work 😉