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The class of 2028 freshmen were welcomed excitedly by Student Council representatives.
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Freshman Mallory Roberts smiles as she enters the newly-remodeled Freshman Academy.
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Freshmen were welcomed with open arms onto the EMHS campus.
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As parents dropped their students off on the first day of school, each student was met with clear excitement from StuCo representatives.
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As the class of 2028 begins its first year at Edmond Memorial High School, many of the new Bulldogs have mixed feelings. The incoming freshman class consists of around 800 students, the largest class since before EMHS split into Edmond North High School and Edmond Santa Fe High School. With so many new freshmen making their way through new territory, some upperclassmen decided to share some advice to calm freshmen’s nerves.
Having anxiety about beginning high school is not uncommon. In a survey conducted by the Ruff Draft, 60.9% of the 69 freshmen who participated said they were nervous about starting high school and on a scale of one to five, 46.3% rated their confidence as a one, two or three, with five being “very confident.” Sophomore Olivia Jones, who plays soccer at EMHS, experienced the same.
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A survey was taken by 69 freshmen and 60.9% said they were nervous about starting high school.
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On a scale of one to five, 46.3% rated their confidence as a one, two or three going into high school.
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“…I was definitely very nervous,” Jones said. “[Eventually] I just grew more confident with myself and definitely just went with the flow.”
In the same survey, 23.2% said they felt that they were not very good at making new friends. Junior Addy Houk, who is actively involved in the Advanced Mixed Choir and Act II, Memorial’s show choir, suggests a remedy for this struggle.
“Talk to people in class,” Houk said. “If you’re in any organizations like band or orchestra or sports, those are great opportunities to make new friends. People are nice. If you just introduce yourself, you’ll find someone who wants to talk to you and you’ll make a new friend.”
Another way to make new friends in high school is by becoming involved in every way possible. Of the freshmen who took the survey, 26.1% were unsure of how to become involved at school. Even if band, orchestra, choir or sports are not an option, EMHS clubs are always accepting new members.
“Even if you’re not good at sports or you don’t want to be in sports, definitely join community service, or art club, or try to be on StuCo,” senior class treasurer Alex Myers said.
Another important part of high school is succeeding in one’s classes. Doing well in high school is key because, from freshman year onward, the grade for every class a student takes will be recorded on their transcript. The survey also showed that 47.8% of freshmen do not feel like they have adequate study skills, and 60.9% worry about succeeding in their classes this year.
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Unfortunately, 47.8% of freshmen who participated in the survey do not feel like they have adequate study skills.
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60.9% of students that participated in the survey are worried about succeeding in their classes this year.
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“Just get your work done immediately,” Houk said. “Just do it as soon as you get it, and don’t procrastinate. Take really good notes in class and go back over them before tests. Writing stuff down really helps me to remember stuff because I can visualize my notes in my head while I’m taking a test. Just find a study plan that works for you.”
EMHS may seem intimidating to new freshmen coming straight from middle school. However, there are many ways to make the most of the EMHS high school experience, combined with the well-known school spirit and many ways to become involved and make new friends while still keeping up with classwork.
Contact Esther Wood at [email protected]
