Anna Brodersen

KHS may seem gigantic at first. However, after a couple weeks everyone is able to shove the maps they have been clutching since the first day of school into the bottom of their backpacks with the other forgotten scraps of paper such as various syllabi and permission slips.

Getting lost is no big deal. Take deep breaths and look for a landmark like a sign telling which building is which. If that doesn’t help, find a teacher, a Link Crew Leader, a walking counselor or any other staff member and ask for directions.

Also, sometimes stepping outside helps students find their current location. Teachers will understand if freshmen come a little late on the first day, or even if they go to the wrong lunch. It is a complicated system, but everybody gets the hang of it after a week or so.

The teachers can seem almost as big as the high school itself, and they can be intimidating as they reel off all the expectations and subjects the class will cover on the first day. However, they want everyone to succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

There are tons of people at KHS, so seeing some new faces is inevitable. Remember that every freshman is in the same position, so don’t be nervous about meeting new people. Almost everybody is nervous, whether they say it or not, so it makes sense to be a little shy. Shared classes, homework, principals and extracurriculars are all good conversation starters, so getting involved in clubs and sports is a great way to meet people and make friends.

Considering the huge size of the school, the vast number of students and the formidable teachers, high school can be intimidating at first. However, just remember that everybody else knows what freshmen are going through. Relax, take a deep breath and try to take it all in.