Tip One: Stay on top of your school work

One way to make sure your freshman year is miserable is to always be behind on your work. Make a schedule for yourself to follow. For example, on the weekends do as much work as you can for the week. If you feel like there is no way you can get an assignment done in time, talk to your teacher and ask for an extension. But be careful not to rely on extensions, because some teachers may not allow them. Also make sure to do your service hours. Do not wait until the last minute to finish them or you will make your life really hard. Claire Sulivan ‘26 a student at O’Dowd says, “Build relationships with your teachers, it really helps!”

Tip Two: Join a sport

As a freshman, you may know nobody in your grade and by joining a sport you can meet so many new people. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done the sport before, just by going to tryouts you can make new friends! Also, by joining a sport you will be actively participating in O’dowd.

Tip Three: Talk to people in class

If you feel like you are dreading a class because you don’t know anyone, just start talking to people around you or at your table. Having friends in your class makes your class so much more enjoyable. The people you meet in your classes can become some of your closest friends. If you are an introverted person, just try to talk to one person at a time, so you don’t get overwhelmed. 

Tip Four: Try new things

You’re never going to have fun experiences if you are saying no to everything. If you get asked to go to a football game, say yes! If someone asks to study with them, say yes! Participate in spirit week and traditions. I promise it will make your freshmen year more fun. 

Tip Five: In the grand scheme of things..

At the moment everything seems so serious and important, but in four years you’re going to look back and laugh at yourself. Try not to take everything so seriously. I promise you will be fine and will get through this year. You might have some ups and downs but just breathe.

Ms. Mercado, a Counselor at O’Dowd, says “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. One of the cool things about O’Dowd is that there are so many people and resources here that can support you. So, be brave: Go to that teacher’s office hours. Raise your hand in class and ask that question even if you think you’re the only one who has it. Try out peer tutoring at the academic support center. Reach out to your counselor. Asking for help is not a weakness—it’s a skill that is really important for high school, college, and just life in general!”  

Even with everything that was said, remember that this is such a small moment in your life and something might seem so big in the moment, but I promise you will get over it, people will forget and you will look back and laugh.