Emani Capers | On 06, Nov 2025

It’s a new school year, meaning new people, new experiences, and the scariest part of all for the freshman, a brand new school. For some teenagers, this is their worst fear: being somewhere without old middle school friends and teachers. Also, definitely not used to the piles of work. They put a lot of stress on themselves to get every assignment done. Join every club or athletic activity and go to every sports game. But you really shouldn’t have to worry about doing it all, since over-exhausting yourself can lead to some struggles along the way. Mental health, especially in high school, is something that we should all address. As upperclassmen, they want to help you figure things out.

Advice from upperclassmen

• Don’t overwork yourself; remember to take care of your mental health. When you’re not your best self, it shows in your work. Make sure you are creating time for yourself, doing fun activities you enjoy. Or just taking a mental health day. Remember, high school is supposed to be a fun learning experience. 

• If you’re struggling with classes, you can talk to the teachers about it or the counselors on campus. Also, do extra credit assignments and take advantage of tutoring after school. 

• Take your grades seriously; every assignment counts.  So then, when senior year comes, you have a high GPA average. Don’t slack because it will become a habit hard to break out of. Take time out of your week to study for tests and quizzes or subjects you’re weak in. 

• Don’t procrastinate! That’s one of the biggest mistakes scholars make. Get the assignment done on time or early. That will help relieve a lot of stress on your shoulders. But strolling endlessly on TikTok or Instagram will just leave you behind on your work. 

Doing all of these things is definitely not easy and will take time getting used to. Remember, that progress is one of the biggest challenges. You can always start something, but if you don’t apply it consistently, you will wind back out in the same weak-minded cycle. So it’s time to get out there, take these tips and improve yourself!