To The Incoming Freshmen

Dear ISB Class of 2022,

Congratulations! You are taking your first step into high school.

I know that this transition will be scary for you. You’re moving from green shirts to blue shirts. You’re no longer following the green tiles that line the floor, now you’ll follow the blue. You’re switching to harder, more rigorous classes, and more is on the line. Suddenly, the thought of college isn’t some far away, distant place that you’ll never reach. It’s something that’s in the horizon. Barely visible, but, it’s there.

As a junior, and someone who is about to move into senior year, I have a piece of advice for you: embrace it. Embrace every challenge that flies your way wholeheartedly. Embrace every new person you meet, and treat them as a friend, treat them with kindness. Know that there is more to life than your GPA and your extracurriculars and what you write on your college application. Although these things are important, don’t forget to look up. Don’t forget to live your life to the fullest. Stop and smell the flowers, laugh with your friends, spend some time with your family.

If you do fail? Make your failures better yourself. Take every bad test grade you get, and don’t allow yourself to wallow in sorrow. Pick yourself up and dust yourself off, and start over. There is always another chance. Take every heartbreak, the rejections from sports teams that would otherwise break you, and allow them to make you. Don’t be afraid to lean on the people around you for support, for help. Allow them to lift you up.

These years will fly by fast. Faster than you know it, even if some days seem to drag on much longer than necessary. As the seniors will tell you, don’t take for granted the little things. Going to the grind to get a smoothie with your friends will seem like the most normal, everyday thing. But four years from now, and it’ll be one of the things you miss the most.

So go into high school with an open mind. Know that there will be challenges and difficulties, but also know that there will also be great things, new adventures, and amazing new people you will meet.

Love from,

A Junior