Emotions, anxiousness, strange excitement, it is hard to even comprehend what is going on.

You walk through the doors on your very first day of high school and it feels like you are reliving the music video from Taylor Swift’s song, “15.” It seems as if your entire life has led up to this day.

Something that any student has in common is that we were all timid freshman at some point. No need to fear freshies, we all made it and so can you.

Tip #1: Get involved

You may be overwhelmed with all of the changes going on, but set aside time for extracurricular activities. Whether it is sports or clubs, you will benefit from it later on. Let’s face it, even if you don’t make friends, (which you will), it looks good on college applications.

“Get involved in extracurriculars early,” junior Trinity Pongracsz said. “By doing so, you can be ready to take on higher positions in clubs, and will have improved greatly in sports by senior year.”

Get out there! Explore the various activities open to you at Bangor, you will be welcomed with open arms.

Tip #2: Do not be scared

Easier said than done for sure, but seriously, do not worry! When you first enter, it takes some time to navigate, and you may get lost here and there, but you will figure it out.

“Going into high school, I was so scared that I would get lost, but it turned out to be not as bad as I thought,” sophomore Riley Mateyka said.

This goes for anything else in the next four years of your life. There will be many unfamiliarities thrown at you, but just know that you will figure it out and your worries might not even be as big of a deal as you expected.

Tip #3: Be confident

In movies, seniors are these scary creatures who will shove you in a locker if you even dare to look at them, but that is not the case here. Although you are freshman, you still have a place in the high school.

“As long as you stay on your side of the hallway, you’re good,” senior Amber Fernandez-Tierney joked.

Junior Akash Sareen expressed his regrets regarding confidence freshman year.

“Though I am now a star that shines very bright wherever I go, I was not my freshman year,” Sareen said. “I wish I had been more confident and true to myself. Being afraid is not worth it.”

So no, Freshman Fridays are not a reality, and starting off your high school career with confidence will help you overcome some of your fears.

Tip #4: Have fun!

Though you may feel as if you are the bottom rung in the ladder of high school, you still have just as much of a right to go to events and enjoy yourself.

Highly involved junior Nick Mazzella has some advice for freshmen who are unsure about whether they should attend events such as these.

“The dances in high school are ten times better than the middle school ones,” Mazzella said. “Personally, I enjoy the events because it is nice to be a part of the school. You are only a freshman once… enjoy it.”

Go. Be in the Quarry Crew! Go to dances and boogie! Looking back, you will be glad that you confidently went out and made the most of these times.