Freshman year was a weird experience. From summer to summer, a lot has changed. People can grow and develop so much in just a year, and for me, that happened.

The start of school was a weird one. New hallways, new people, new experiences. But I adapted and grew throughout the year. The main thing I was stressed about was trying to balance school and high school football. But it was a lot easier than expected. I felt as if my teachers and coaches were always there to support me. I felt that school work was coming second nature, and I was succeeding. One of the biggest struggles I had, however, was Chorale Choir. Choral is an audition-only choir with many incredibly talented students, and as a Freshman, I felt as if I was falling behind. Mr Strickland, my choir director, was always there to support me, which made things a lot easier.

Going into the second semester, we were in a new school, and I was starting wrestling back up. Wrestling, I felt as if it was harder than ever, and at the time had physically and mentally broken me, which I had never had before. On the verge of quitting, I decided that was not me. I stuck it out and was the best Freshman in the 190-pound weight class in the state. However, with all this, my grades had started to slip, and I was struggling in the classroom.

After wrestling. Life would start to pick back up and head into spring. School was getting harder, but I had more time to stay in the classroom. But with only one week left now, I have finals and I am ready.

My message to all incoming freshmen is to stay focused and not fall behind. Turn your work in, pay attention, and just do your thing. Don’t try to play a role you’re not, and be yourself. Trying to please others all the time will just put you in a dark place. Be yourself and do what you want.