Welcome, Freshmen

Hey, freshman - listen up! In just a little over a month, you're heading into the big house, the building that represents the pinnacle of your primary education and unfortunately, you're at the bottom of the hierarchy. Not to worry, many have come before you and survived (they're called seniors). So what does it take to succeed as a freshman? How will you juggle your duties as a student and an athlete, finding your classes the first week and discovering what your niche will be? HSSTM asked some local administrators and athletic directors about freshmen orientation and some key tips to surviving that first year of high school. Remember to take notes. "I emphasize, to both incoming freshmen and their parents, that we refer to our kids as student-athletes," explains Indian Creek athletic director Tim Robison. "The 'student' comes first. It is imperative that they understand they are here as students and with success in the classroom can come success on the field, but without the former, the latter is impossible." Washington Community School athletic director Guy Grubbs agrees. "Academically, the freshman year is a make it or break it year," says Grubbs. "Statistics show that when a freshman fails to meet all of the requirements, his or her changes of graduating on time, or at all, decrease dramatically." Part of the key to getting off to a good start is developing a routine, eating right and getting enough sleep. Much of that has to do with organization. How you handle your time before, during and after school will play a big part in the adjustment from middle school to high school. "Organization is one of the most important skills a student-athlete needs in high school," says Kelly McWilliams, assistant principal at Decatur Central. "The ability to organize and prioritize academic and athletic assignments is key to a student's success." And while it may seem intimidating those first few days or weeks, after all, nearly every one else has been in the building for at least a year and know the routine, McWilliams notes how important it is for students to ask for help. "Freshmen usually come into high school afraid of asking for help, believing that questions are a form of weakness, when in reality, it is a sign of strength." Speaking of strength, Grubbs says that incoming freshmen, in most instances, must be committed to getting stronger for their sport. "High school is a new beginning for freshmen, but it will fly by," Grubbs explains. "I tell freshmen that athletically, it begins in the summer - they have to sacrifice their free time and lift and condition so that they can successfully compete." McWilliams says that having patience in whatever you might be doing that first year is imperative. "They may have been the 'star' in middle school, whether in the classroom or on the field, but high school brings a whole new set of challenges that have not been presented to these student-athletes in the past," says McWilliams, citing classroom expectations, rigorous subject matter, requirements and testing that may be unfamiliar to freshmen. While freshman will have to adjust, in athletic terms, of not being on the field at all times, Grubbs says that offering student-athletes the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of past student-athletes is a dangling carrot to most freshmen. "I offer them the opportunity to compete on the same fields of endeavor as George McGinnis, Billy Keller, Ralph Taylor, Steve Downing, Lamon Brewster and so many others. It's a challenge and an opportunity." Challenges and opportunities - sounds like the best way to describe freshmen year. Now, it's up to you to face those challenges and take advantage of those opportunities. Class dismissed.