Photo by Daemyn Broxterman
Finding classrooms, learning new schedules and meeting unfamiliar faces can fill a freshman’s first days of high school. As the class of 2030 adjusts, freshman, seniors, and staff share their experiences and advice for navigating the school year.
Freshman Yara Sapadadiaz said her experience starting high school was different from what she expected.
“I thought it was going to be scary… but actually went really well,” Sapadadiaz said.
Sapadadiaz said teachers are usually willing to help if students are struggling.
“I just talked to the teachers about it, they’re really nice. They help you out,” Yara said.
Freshman Alexis Spyers said learning where her classes were took time during her first few weeks of high school.
“The hardest thing was memorizing where my classes are,” Spyers said.
Beyond finding their classrooms, freshmen can turn to school staff for help with questions or concerns.
School resource officer Emily Austin said students can come to her with issues. She focuses on building relationships so students can feel comfortable asking her for help when a problem comes up.
“They can always come to me with issues,” Ostdiek said.
Ostdiek said building relationships with students is an important part of her job. She wants students to feel comfortable coming to her when there is a problem.
Gegg said students can come to her for help finding books that match their interests or hobbies, even if they do not have a specific book in mind.
“I’m here for them,” Gegg said.
The library also has activities and study breaks, including hot chocolate and holiday movies during finals week.
The nurse’s office is another important resource, but School Nurse Madjil Clark said it should be used for health concerns.
“If it’s something that you feel like it’s not really necessary for you to be examined or checked out by the nurse, you should always go to class,” Clark said.
She also said students should not be afraid to ask for help when they actually need it.
Principal Jeff Linden said regular attendance helps students learn more and stay on track to graduate. Hastings High School tracks attendance in every class, and students more than 15 minutes late are counted as unexcused for the entire period. Along with attending class and completing assignments, Linden encouraged students to get involved in school activities.
“You become part of something bigger than yourself. You become a part of a community,” Linden said. In addition to attendance and involvement, students and staff also encouraged freshmen to consider how they treat others.
Attendance Coordinator Lance Creech said students should be respectful to both adults and their classmates.
“Adults are human beings, and they want to be valued just like our students would be valued,” Creech said.
Freshmen should also be willing to talk to different people. They do not have to stay in one friend group or avoid someone just because they do not know them yet.
Senior Athena Barney said freshmen should not lock themselves away by only focusing on homework.
“Don’t just only focus on school work, [because] if you do that, you’re gonna be shut in and not have as many friends,” Barney said.
Senior Gavin Nelson said joining clubs and sports helped him make friends throughout high school. He is involved in show choir and met students from other schools through the activity.
“Don’t wait. Just put yourself out there,” Nelson said.
Reading specialist Karen Valdes said she has seen many different types of students pass through the halls and her classroom. She says her advice to them is to not go through high school scared.
“It’s okay to fail. Freshman year can be tough. Don’t give up. Live life with purpose. Be intentional. Don’t waste your days. Get involved. Use your words to speak life into people. Your life is telling a story. Make it worth remembering,” Valdes said.
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