It's not easy being a high school freshman. Ask your parents or older siblings what they were like as freshmen and many will cringe and use any one of a long list of unflattering labels to describe themselves. But ask them about their senior year and they're likely to describe themselves very differently—usually for the better. Students change in many ways between freshman year and senior year. Some changes will be obvious; others will be more subtle. If you’re wondering about what might lie ahead between your first and last year of high school, consider these big common changes. And if you’re already a senior, use this as a guide to reflect on where you’ve been.
Getting high school started vs. looking back on your journey
Freshmen are just getting started. The next four years are wide open for new friends, classes, relationships, activities, sports, and experiences. But they’re also four years you need to take seriously because they’re the foundation for your future college and career choices—and you need to start building that foundation the first year. It starts with choosing classes as wisely as possible, working hard, and doing your best. You don’t need to worry about choosing your college major now; in fact, you shouldn’t because things will probably change a lot by senior year. However, freshman year is a good time to start at least fantasizing about your future because it keeps you motivated.
While freshmen are looking ahead to what they want their high school experience to be, seniors are doing some reflecting. Many might be looking back at the last four years and marveling at how quickly it went by! Simultaneously, seniors are also looking ahead to their futures, whether it's college, work, the military, a gap year, or a combination of these things. And, of course, senior year is full of lasts: last first day of school, last homecoming football game with your BFFs, last school play, last prom night. Then, of course, there’s graduation. They’re bittersweet times but can also hold some of your most cherished memories.
High school classes and academics
As we’ve already said, freshman year of high school is all about firsts, many of which are academic. Putting a schedule together is a big adjustment, since prior to freshman year, most students' schedules are decided for them. For many students, this is the first time you’ll change classes for each period, which means developing good time management and organizational skills, so you’re not regularly asking yourself questions like: Which classes do I have today? What books do I need? What assignments are due today? You also may be in classes with upperclassmen for the first time in electives, like art. In general, freshmen find out very quickly how the pace of high school differs from middle school—projects are different, papers require more critical thinking, and assignments are just overall more demanding.
The adjustment period is long over by senior year. The newness of high school has faded; a lot of the initial excitement has faded too, especially as seniors face the stress of applying to colleges while balancing all their other responsibilities and tougher classes. Seniors may be taking advantage of AP courses, IB programs, and other challenging top-level courses, which makes it more pertinent not to succumb to senioritis and go on autopilot to graduation once college acceptances roll in. Don’t let yourself get totally distracted by excitement and fear about going to college and throw in the towel on high school just yet. A serious dip in your grades can have real-world consequences, like missing out on scholarship opportunities, disappointing potential future recommendation writers, and maybe even losing your college acceptances. Graduation—and vacation—will come soon enough. Keep pushing until then!
Related: Top 5 Back–to–School Tips for Every High School Student
Physical changes and puberty
Not to get all health class about it, but puberty does happen. And many of the most obvious differences between high school freshmen and seniors are the physical transformations. Right out of junior high, students often still look like kids. You might have braces, glasses, acne, all common headaches of adolescence. Some students will be skinny and undeveloped, while others will go through their growth spurt fast. Eventually, braces come off, contacts replace glasses, and slowly, freshmen start to transform into more confident and mature versions of themselves. Every student deserves a glow up! Of course, most students still struggle with self-image and self-esteem to some degree. Some freshmen will be almost unrecognizable by senior year, while others big changes will come in college.
Maturity level and responsibilities
Students are (usually) more mature by the time they're seniors. While you’re a freshman, things like taking the SATs or researching colleges during junior year seem forever away—but it comes up fast. By the time senior year starts, you’ll be narrowing down college choices, filling out applications, and waiting for those all-important acceptance letters on top of everything else. For now, freshman year is about figuring things out and pursuing burgeoning interests, so that later as a senior you can take on more responsibility in your activities and personal life. You might get your first job, you may have gotten your driver's license and are trying to buy a car, or maybe you’re volunteering in the community. More is expected of you from others too—whether it’s higher expectations from your parents, teachers, coaches, or after-school employer. And those higher standards and tougher challenges naturally help you mature.
Related: 12 Tips and Tricks to Build Confidence in High School
When you start high school, you'll probably hear something like “Enjoy these years. They go so fast!” dozens of times—because they do. High school is an exciting, confusing, and stressful time but it's also four of the most important years of your life. So enjoy every moment of freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year while you have them, so you can look on them fondly in the years to come.
We’ve got a ton of great advice for you whether you’re a freshman or a senior (or any grade in between). Check out our best advice for every year of high school!
