Facing Freshman Fears

Ingu Batyerreul• October 28, 2025

Walking into high school for the first time can feel like stepping into a whole new world. The campus is bigger, more confusing and everyone else seems to be fitting in fast. In a new environment, freshmen often feel nervous, out of place or overwhelmed. These “freshman fears” are often persistent, but the good news is that they will not last forever. With some advice from fellow classmates and upperclassmen, students will discover that high school is not as scary as it seems.

THE WORKLOAD:

One of the biggest stressors for freshmen is the workload. When asked, freshmen say that they struggle with how quickly everything started, especially homework. While it is true that teachers expect students to be more independent and assign homework that can pile up quickly, the key to achieving success in classes is to stay organized and be on top of assignments. Missing one or two assignments may not seem like a big deal at the time, until the workload starts to pile up. A key way to overcome this challenge is to find a system that works. Some students like to use planners to keep track of their homework and activities in order not to forget anything important. Sophomore Chloe Cao participates in multiple school clubs, is a captain for the JV girls cheer and is in the orchestra. With a busy schedule, Cao has found some ways to stay on top of her work and shares how she keeps track of her workload.

“I use the notion website to keep track of all my assignments and future tests. I also use my planner if there is an assignment that I see on the board in class so I will not forget about it. [Another] thing I started using in high school is the calendar app on my phone,” Cao said. “It [has] helped me become more independent because I can keep track of my own schedule and planning. I think it is something that every student should utilize.”

Another method is having different color-coded binders for each class. That way, every single assignment or handout will be easily accessible and have a certain place to be filed. For some it might be easier to just simply set up digital reminders for classwork, meetings and assignments.

LEAVING WORK AT HOME:

Freshmen also express how one of their fears is forgetting homework and assignments at home. Staying consistent is about showing up and putting in the work everyday to meet academic goals. To stay consistent, create a structured routine, break up work to make it more manageable and optimize your environment by arranging your space to support your goals. It is also important to realize that consistency does not mean perfection. Messing up once by getting a poor grade or forgetting an assignment is not a reason to give up; the key is to start again the next day and not let one missed step disencourage the progress.

Freshmen tend to put themselves under a lot of pressure to be perfect, to keep up with their classmates and to fit in. The truth is, even if it may appear otherwise, no one truly has it all figured out. Alexis Jang, freshmen class president, shares tips to other freshmen who are nervous about the school year.

“Everyone is in the same boat that you are in and everybody is nervous since this is all so new to us,” Jang said. “I think of [freshman year] as something to not be that nervous about, especially because we are all experiencing it at the same time and there are always people you can reach out to.”

Her advice can help with stress and burnout that can arise from putting too much pressure on yourself. A healthier approach is to focus on progress instead of perfection. Break big goals into smaller steps, celebrate small wins and remember that mistakes are part of growth. Giving yourself permission to stumble and learn makes the journey less overwhelming and much more rewarding.

High school is not just about academics, it is about learning how to manage all parts of life at once. Freshmen can feel pulled in every direction, from homework and sports to family, friends and personal time. It is essential to find a balance between academics and taking a break. Read a book you like, hang out with friends or spend time doing things that are enjoyable. Schoolwork is important, but so is rest. Getting a good night’s sleep can also help with feeling better mentally as a freshman. Staying up all night binging a show or scrolling mindlessly on your phone might feel fine in the moment, but doing so just to feel exhausted the next day is not worth it.

MAKING AND MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS:

Entering high school, freshmen also mention that they are scared of losing friends or even having fake friends. Instead of viewing the unknown expanses of high school negatively, view it as a chance to restart socially. Be open to meeting new people in classes, clubs and at events like the Fresh Fest. Link Crew leader, senior Sneha Ramanuja has attended these activities as both a freshman and as a leader who plays a part in planning them. Ramanuja shares how attending these activities has helped her meet new friends and get close to the student body of the school.

“The best part [of being involved in school activities] is the fact that I get to meet so many people and try many things,” Ramanuja said. “Yes, it is a time commitment, but I would rather be doing different fun activities with new people or just my friends instead of sitting at home doing homework all the time.”

Throughout the school year, students might notice they have drifted from their group of friends. Drifting from old friends is natural, but that always opens an opportunity to meet new people. At the same time, it is perfectly normal to take time to find a group of friends with whom you truly feel you belong. It is always better to have a few genuine friends than a big group of people that are not right for you.

At the end of the day, adapting to high school is about patience and effort.The fears that freshmen may feel will go away as the school year progresses, but the lessons that these fears allow students tolearn during these years will stick withthem long after freshman year. No one magically knows how to handle new friendships, large courseloads or balancing the many responsibilities of being a high schooler. By the end of their high school careers, students will be able to look back and realize thatthey have grown more than they thought was possible.