As we move into the New Year and a second semester at the second happiest place on Earth, we want to offer some advice for all of our readers—from our newest freshman to our most seasoned seniors. So here’s our advice, categorized for underclassmen, juniors, and seniors—we hope you enjoy:
Underclassmen
To our underclassmen, you’re still new! Use this less busy period of high school to speak to everyone you didn’t get to know in the chaos of freshman introductions. Learn everyone’s name—don’t get to senior year and be the person asking a classmate’s name. The relationships, or even simple acquaintances, that you make early will stick with you and can provide immense support.
Academically, work on cementing your study habits; these are crucial in moving forward and traversing more difficult high school years. Take advantage of these years when your classes have lower stakes. Experiment with new study habits and figure out what works for you before classes get more rigorous.
Continue trying out all of the wonderful opportunities that the Prep offers and begin finding the activities that bring you joy. You absolutely do NOT need to have your interests figured out by now. However, if there is a club or activity that you enjoy, stay committed and don’t be afraid to step up. Dedication to a club is greatly considered in your junior and senior years when choosing new leaders.
Juniors
To our juniors, it’s easy to feel like your life is moving at lightspeed. Junior year — particularly junior spring — can be immensely overwhelming. With that being said, give yourself grace. The worst possibility going into senior year is to be burnt out. Continue to strive for success in academics, extracurriculars, and sports, but make sure that this is a sustained effort — you still have one-and-a-half years of high school in front of you.
Seniors
To our second-semester seniors, foremost — congratulations! Senior fall is full of personal and academic challenges that place you all under huge amounts of pressure, and you’ve done it — conquered the dreaded fall. Now it’s time for all of the “lasts” — last Winter Formal, last Prom, last Spirit Week, and last day of school. But we hope the spring will also comprise lots of “firsts” — making new friends, trying new activities at Sacred Heart, and discovering what school is like without the pressure of the college process. With a lighter load in the spring, we encourage you to branch out of your friend groups — make new friends, sit at a new lunch table, and embrace all of the bonding activities (like Kairos) that SHP offers; these new friendships will stick with you for life. The realization that your experience at Sacred Heart is coming to an end is bittersweet, but don’t let this dim your last months with the people you love. Make the most of all that you encounter.