With the 2023-2024 school year in full swing, members of the Class of 2027 are settling into their place in the Maggie Walker community. This is no small feat, though, with a brand new set of classmates from across the region and more rigorous classes than they may be used to. To help with this transition, members of the Class of 2024 have provided words of wisdom for their new peers, coming from three years of experience. To our freshman readers—listen up!

Based on his academic journey through Maggie Walker, Devesh Kumar (‘24) wants freshmen to know that “coursework will get exponentially tougher going forward.” As a result, “developing strong study habits as a freshman is critical.” Everyone learns differently, so it can be helpful to take the time in ninth grade to experiment and figure out which study methods work best while taking less advanced courses. Kumar warns that “texting [does] not mix with homework,” and a fellow senior advises freshmen to “delete TikTok, or whatever social media app you are addicted to, during the school week.” This can help curb procrastination and prevent wasting time in the evenings that could be dedicated to sleep or other productive activities. Another common sentiment shared by a senior is the need to “do your homework the night it is assigned. Don’t have eight classes of work Thursday night.” Letting work pile up leads to unnecessary stress that could often be avoided by simply completing the assignments instead of worrying about them. As such, freshman year is the best time for students to figure out a homework organization system and schedule that fits their life and produces sustainable results.

Beyond schoolwork, Maggie Walker also offers a plethora of extracurricular activities for students to join. However, it can be overwhelming for new students to figure out which groups fit their interests and goals. This is why Kumar stated, “I spent the first half of freshman year trying out every activity under the sun, and second half of the year I cut it down to the ones I enjoyed most, and then doubled down on those.” This approach exposes freshmen to a wide selection of extracurricular organizations, making it easier to identify their likes and dislikes about each before committing to more involved positions. A fellow member of the Class of 2024 reminds freshmen to “explore but don’t overcommit” when it comes to clubs and activities beyond the classroom. As the number of leadership positions grows for club members in higher grades, it is important to remember that class rigor will also grow. This demonstrates the importance of identifying areas of interest and going deeper in those positions instead of trying to juggle too much for the sake of a resume or title. Overall, Ces Wells (‘24) tells freshmen to “put yourself out there and open up to new opportunities” to get the most out of the next four years at Maggie Walker, both in and out of class.

All of this academic and extracurricular talk may seem daunting, but here is some further encouragement from seniors. Kumar mentions how the idea of college admissions may already be looming in freshmen’s minds, but he advises that “it’s better to find and pursue your interests to build your resume than to explicitly undertake activities for that purpose.” Natalie Shannon (‘24) encourages freshmen to pursue their interests through taking advantage of the “many different options and levels for all areas of study [at Maggie Walker.]” Pursuing what you find engaging, whether it be an academic subject or an extracurricular activity, is crucial to having an enjoyable high school experience. Staying true to your passions while still trying new things is a balance freshmen will find throughout your years at Maggie Walker. 

This balance also allows students to meet new peers with similar interests. Simply engaging in class activities and participating in club events can lead new students to people that will be by their side for the next four years. For example, the authors of this article met through the Jabberwock freshman year and have been friends ever since. However, freshmen should not expect to simply enter high school with the same friends they will leave with. Fellow Dragons will come and go throughout their high school journey—it is okay to be open to change! 

Yes, being surrounded by new places, new experiences, and new people can be quite nerve-wracking. Advice from people that went throughout this exact experience three years ago, though, can guide the Class of 2027 through an enjoyable four years. To summarize all that has been said, Wells affirms that “Maggie Walker is a big, new and scary place, especially if you're coming from a smaller school,” but “you’ll meet some of the best people you’ll ever know and make so many beautiful memories.” Good luck to all freshmen!