![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
How to Survive Freshman Year
Special to Harker Aquila
To avoid becoming the stereotypical frightened freshman, follow the tips in this article.
Though freshman year may seem daunting, these simple tips will allow you to experience a more enjoyable and successful year.
1) Try everything: Well, not everything, but freshman year is the one chance students have to experiment with numerous activities and clubs. As their workload increases during sophomore and junior years, students are left with less time to participate in extracurricular activities. Freshman year provides the opportunity for students to find what they are really passionate about. Also, if you join an activity and realize you do not enjoy it, stop. Immediately. Do not commit yourself to an activity that you despise for four years.
2) Make friends with your teachers: Shockingly enough, teachers do not bite, so do not be afraid to ask them questions. Chances are, several students are thinking of the same question you are and are just waiting for someone to speak up. Take advantage of extra help and study sessions to prepare for tests and do homework. If you are struggling in a particular class, you can always reach out and ask for help. Teachers are always happy to assist student. Also, let teachers know of special circumstances — for example, if you’re commuting from Nichols to Shah or vice versa, be sure to alert your teacher to avoid being marked late repeatedly.
3) Socialize: Yes, schoolwork is difficult and time-consuming. Yes, you are extremely busy. No, you do not need to become a hermit. Make new friends and cherish the time and memories you share with them. You can socialize and enjoy your time in school while still performing at a high academic level. Balancing work and play is a skill that is essential for life, and high school is the perfect place to learn it.
4) Sleepy: A healthy lifestyle is key to success in school and life in general. Aspects of a healthy lifestyle include eating well, regular exercise, and the most important component: sleep. Contrary to popular belief, sleeping less and studying more will not make you a better student. You simply cannot perform well surviving off three to four hours of sleep per night. You have time to sleep, and if you somehow do not think you do, make the time. This applies to exercise as well—twenty minutes a day is really all it takes.
5) Do not procrastinate: Procrastination is a habit that feeds off itself. Avoid it by using a planner, keeping track of assignments, and breaking larger projects into small pieces as opposed to cramming for a test the night before. If you simply cannot avoid temptation, try placing your laptop or phone in a separate room while working on homework or studying. If laptops are necessary for homework, use extensions such as StayFocusd or Block site to ban unrelated websites.
6) Befriend upperclassmen: Upperclassmen are extremely valuable resources. They were all nervous freshmen at one point, and will understand the difficulties and stresses of freshman year. Do not be afraid to reach out to them, whether through Link Crew, clubs, or other activities. Upperclassmen can provide advice and insight into sports, activities, courses, and more.
Maya Jeyendran (11) is the Lifestyle Editor of Harker Aquila. She been a part of Harker's journalism program since her freshman year, and has previously...