On their first day of school, the freshman walked through the doors of the competition gym to see a sea of upperclassmen clapping them in, getting them excited for the year ahead. However, the following week can be a whirlwind of running through the halls to find classes, trying to talk to new people, and getting homework done on time. Adapting to the rigor of high school has posed several challenges for this year’s freshmen. 

“After coming back from winter break in 8th grade, I realized that high school was going to be a lot harder. The rest of 8th grade I was thinking ‘this is so easy, I’m going to miss it so much,’” freshman Colin MacArthur said.

Some of the biggest challenges freshmen are facing include an increase in the amount of homework and adapting to a new schedule, which is usually seen at the beginning of every transition to high school. 

“I think the schedule is kind of strange. When I first looked at it, I didn’t know how I was going to figure it out,” freshman Adrian Safarov said. “I’ve gotten used to the block and Scout day schedules after a week and half, but at first it was super stressful.”

One thing that makes getting used to the schedule even more difficult is navigating the school with over one thousand students in it.

“The biggest adjustment is how big the school really is,” freshman Addington Leahy said. “I used to know everybody in my grade and even other grades, but now there’s a lot of new people.”

While adjusting to the changes of the high school – including the new attendance policies and increase in school spirit – freshmen are also figuring out how to balance their school and social lives as well as their extracurriculars.

“My favorite class so far is orchestra because I really love my stand partner,” freshman Connor Tzau said. He says electives like orchestra are a “nice break in the day” from academic classes. 

Aside from academics, freshmen are looking forward to getting a true high school experience now that student activities are back in full swing.

 “I’m excited for all of the fun stuff like the football games and dances,” freshman Hayden Hill said. “It’s definitely nice that we have those opportunities.” 

With so many after school activities to chose from, freshman are able to join what interests them. 

“There have been a bunch of new clubs that I got to join,” Tzau said. “I’m in the peer tutoring club and it has been so fun. I am also in the Asian American Pacific Club.” 

Getting freshmen to participate in extracurricular activities encourages them to be more involved in the LFHS community.

“The addition of the activities director, Mrs. Malec has been huge for the freshman class,” Administrative Assistant and former Freshman Advisor Mrs. Cindy Rogna said. “She is out there getting involved with the kids and helping the students connect.”

Rogna also encourages that all freshmen find a community to connect with in their first year of high school. 

 “One thing I’ve always tried to do is to get them involved right away. Any connection that can happen is really, really important,” Rogna said.

The freshman have already proven themselves to be ready for both the challenges and fun opportunities of Lake Forest High School. 

MacArthur even said that LFHS already “feels like home.”