The seniors of Milton Area High School have some advice for the freshmen. The Panther Press asked for advice from the 165 seniors for the 145 freshmen.
The following advice comes from the responses of seniors Ashlyn Shuffstal, Chance Benshoff, Gabrielah (Gabbie) Heckman, Elora (El) Burns, Keishla Ojeda, Boe Peterman and Senior Class President Alexander (Alex) Familia.
They suggested the following backpack essentials: 3-5 pencils, a pen, binders, notebooks, gum, headphones and folders. “Different folders, or binders, will be your best friends– anywhere to separate your work for all your classes/to do and turned in/finished assignments,” Boe added.
In the hallways, don’t go too slow but also don’t run. Don’t congregate in the middle of the hall and don’t yell. Don’t walk in a line and keep to the right. “Keep the flow of traffic going,” said El.
In the lunchroom, seniors advised their fellow students to not run or yell. “Say thank you to the lunch ladies,” Keishla said.
“No talking with food in your mouth,” Ashlynn added.
“Don’t throw food around,” El said.
“Share food if you’re not going to eat it,” Alex added.
Seniors’ pet peeves are students who disrespect teachers, do not take assignments seriously and focus on drama and not themselves.
“Making your whole personality based around others isn’t cool,” said El. “I promise you will be more authentic and liked if you just do things you like to do and pick your classes based around what you want, not your friends!”
When prepping for stressful tests, seniors advise underclassmen to take good notes, study the night before as well as right before the test, make flashcards, listen to music, watch youtube videos and not to cram.
“Utilize PRIDE and review with your teacher when they’re free,” Alex said.
Alex said class leaders should be open to others’ opinions. He advises academically motivated students to focus on doing work and truly understanding the material. Alex added that student-teacher relationships are very beneficial.
“It is very important to go to your teacher and ask follow up questions,” Alex said. He added that students should get involved with extracurriculars because it builds balance.
It is also important to make time for a social life, Alex said. Academics come first but plan a social life, concentrate on having fun in freshman year, but to focus on finding a career path the rest of high school and enjoy high school. “It is what you make of it,” he added.
El had more advice. She said to take the time to study and that you should be able to trust your teacher but not be too personally close. El said to join clubs because of the opportunities to meet people with similar interests, earn a sense of responsibility and exercise leadership skills.
She said freshmen should set the goals to try new things and be open to new experiences. El added that everything is temporary and not to get wrapped up in little things.
