By Emi Gruender
Am I Getting Deja Vu? I feel like I’ve written an article like this before….
Sometimes I can’t believe that I’ve been at this school for two years already. Or that I’m going to be a junior in a little less than 4 months. Or that my schedule and the World History AP Exam did not suck out what was left of my tormented soul.
But I’m sitting in the same room I had when I was a freshman at 15, writing the same article that I wrote exactly a year ago. Do I feel different? I don’t think so. Sophomore year barely seemed to have happened for me. 2024 went by so quickly, I cannot keep up. You’re telling me that I have to decide what college I want to go to in two years? Take the SAT? Pick my major, which will affect the rest of my life? Become a responsible adult?
No, thank you. Though I have my driver’s license and all, I don’t feel any closer to being an adult than I was 365 days ago. That scares me— to say the least.
But I digress. My philosophical and nostalgic suffering must wait until the proper opportunity in another article, because I aim to inform, not bore you to death.
#1 Do not wait until the last minute to get your “Brain-Cows Milked” (-Heimler’s History)
For the incoming sophomores planning to take AP World History, heed this warning: it is going to be harder than you think it will be. If you don’t possess a prodigious memory or a natural fascination with World History, I’d advise you to study hard throughout the year. Do not wait until the week before the Exam to start binging YouTube videos and frantically scan your notes. Though you might absorb the content in time, the lost sleep and acne spikes are not worth it.
Speaking of YouTube, my saviors for this course arrived in the shape of Heimler’s History and Freeman-Pedia. Although admittedly I am not sponsored by either hero, these two balding and exuberant history teachers create digestible content for anything one might have questions about concerning this course. Hint: If you check out the Fun and Games page for this issue, you might even find a comic concerning this very subject.
#2 The race is long—in the end, it’s only with yourself
So I’m a bit of a hypocrite with this one. It’s very easy to tell others not to compare themselves, not to worry about where they are in life as compared to others, but no teenager really ever follows that advice. How can we? We’re surrounded by comparisons every single day– simple insecurities exacerbated by the competitive nature of social media. (i.e. “What would you rate this girl?” “Yikes, a 3/10, for sure,” while the girl in question could stand next to you and make you look like a hobbit)
Point is, we all grow at our own pace. My parents have told me countless times that given their late blooming, I will bloom late as well. Though I know that they’re most likely right, I can’t help but become impatient with my development and my body. Keep in mind that everything good comes in its own time— even if you haven’t bloomed yet, it will come eventually. In the wise words of my parents, “you don’t want to peak in high school.”
#3 Dress to impress (the weather forecast)
As someone who fluctuates from overheating to freezing, this piece of advice is crucial for high school survival. My teachers (no one specifically, maybe Bryce Hadley?) keep their classroom at below freezing temperatures. If you’re not properly armed with an extra jacket on top of your thin T-shirt, say hello to pneumonia. For anyone, like me, who harbors a love affair with lists, here’s my handy-dandy guide.
- 30-40 degrees F: Long sleeves, long pants. Double layers. Scarves, hats, mittens. Brrrr…
- 40-50 degrees F: Long/mid-length sleeves, long pants. Scarves, hats, mittens. Less enthusiastic brr…..
- 50-60 degrees F: Mid-length sleeves, long/mid-length pants. Light(er) jackets.
- 60-70 degrees F: Break out the skirts or the shorts! Bring a jacket just in case.
- 70-80 degrees F: Shorts and t-shirt weather, no jacket required.
- 80-90 degrees F: It’s finally time for all-the-way summer clothing. Tank tops, shorts, go crazy!
- 90-100 degrees F: Oh… It’s– it’s got a little kick. As many clothes off without breaking a law.
- 100-110 degrees F: Are we in Arizona? Pure death.
- 110-120 degrees F: Okay, this is just a reference to global warming. Yeah, yeah I get it.
#4 Reach out. Most people are afraid to make the first move. Keep that in mind.
I finally participated in my first activity here at Westmont in Footloose!, playing the role of Rusty. If I’m being completely honest, I was terrified of making new friends. I knew a couple of people due to my Musical Theatre class in freshman year, but other than that? I felt completely alone. Despite the rocky start, I found people that I really clicked with in Westmont’s theater department. Though I was hesitant at first, my first performance with Footloose! in March affirmed that I had made the right decision in transferring here. I’m very excited to be a part of Westmont’s theatre program next year, as well.
To all incoming sophomores, I wish you good luck. You’ll need it.