Survival tips for first year

By JEREMY GROSSMAN
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Every year, students reluctantly head back to school to start another year of assignment-filled days and homework-filled nights. However, a certain group of students will be rewarded with the joy of being freshmen in high school.
Yes, the ninth grade can be one of the most excruciating experiences known to man. But with a few helpful hints and tips, any fresh meat, I mean freshmen, can survive their first year of high school.
Remember, high school is not impossible; otherwise, no one would graduate. It might take a while to adjust to teachers who won't hold your hand and do everything for you, but once you get used to this independence and responsibility, life becomes a lot easier.
The difficulty of high school courses varies for each person, but as freshmen, you generally aren't exposed to the more strenuous and painstaking courses. Your worst nightmare could be Algebra IB or geometry or possibly Algebra II.
But, keep in mind that whatever academic horrors you might face in ninth grade are nothing compared with the evils that are chemistry, calculus, physics and economics.
Making friends
Fortunately, high school is not all about homework and PowerPoint projects. Freshmen at Cypress Bay High in Weston, Fla., are exposed to at least 1,000 new people they don't know. Some high schools are so diverse that it is almost impossible to not find at least one new friend.
Yet high school, more than any other institution, is all about cliques and segregated groups. You have to meet new people, but it is essential to establish a solid group of friends.
Friends are the lifeblood of every high school student. They provide wisdom, also known as help on your homework, and are great listeners, which means you have people to complain and moan to about your catastrophic problems.
Your friends will also provide entertainment and company. After all, you can't just go to the movies or mall by yourself.
Once your homework's done and you have a stable core of friends, you can pick an extracurricular activity or two. Whether you're a superb athlete, a talented musician or a skilled speaker, you will discover a club that is just right for your needs.
From drama and musical theater to debate and Key Club to soccer and water polo, high school offers an endless array of organizations. If you can't find anything that suits you, make your own club.
High school can be the best four years of your life if you want them to be, and it all starts in ninth grade.
I must warn all freshmen that you will have a difficult year, but if you get an excellent tutor or a really smart friend, you're set. Make friends quickly and join a club or sports team; then you will not only survive but flourish in your new school.
XJeremy Grossman is a junior at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Fla.