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3 Things:

1. Freshman year grades are free. The classes are easier than they will be later on so focus on starting strong and the GPA will carry you up in case you ever struggle in the future and don't perform as well.

2. Let the only reason you do something be that it's out of your comfort zone. So long as it's healthy and not dangerous to yourself and others, stepping out of your comfort zone will drastically change the way you're able to see and form opinions on events that happen in your life. Do something simply for the reason that you normally wouldn't be willing to do it.

3. Find what you want to do and work towards it. You will have more motivation to accomplish goals when you actually want to achieve them and reap the benefits. Also, find a hobby on the side, because your mind needs a break from school work.

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Hi freshmen!
High school is a very exciting and crazy time in your life. You will learn a lot through your own experiences and those around you. I hope you enjoy every second!
If I could give one piece of advice, I would say to do what you want and seriously do not even think about how people may view you because of it. High school is a time for you to find yourself, and finding your true self will be much harder if you are too worried about what other people think of you.
I also want to say to do everything! Go to homecoming, football games, basketball games, ect. Make the most of this time because trust me it will be over before you know it.
I hope you have the best 4 years here at NDCL!

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Dear Freshmen,

Welcome to NDCL! I know it's probably scary to start high school, but, as cliche as it sounds, these four years are going to go by incredibly fast and, at the end of it, you're going to wish you had more time. So, my advice for you would be to join clubs or engage in school activities that you find interesting because you will probably meet some amazing friends to spend high school with. In addition, be sure to make friendships with people because while grades are important, you're more likely to remember the people you were friends with over that one time you failed a test. Finally, make sure to have fun and don't be afraid to be yourself because, if you do, your four years at NDCL will be some of the best years of your life.

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Hey Freshman!
Welcome to high school! I promise you this will be some of the best four years of your life. Come in with an open mind. Don't judge a book by it's cover. You will meet some of the friends that you will have for a lifetime. Always work hard and put effort into everything you do even when you become a senior and senioritis hits you hard. I promise you that your teachers are always there to help! Go to them for help! High school goes by really fast, so savor the time that you have! :)
~ Nicole

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Hey freshman!! Welcome to high school! I am sure a lot of people have told you these four years fly by, and I promise you as they have said, these years truly do. I remember as I was reading these last year, someone had mentioned not to count down the days, but instead make each day count. This is something that is so so important to follow. Each day counts, but remember it is okay to miss a day here and there, or do bad on a test. High school is truly your time to discover who you are, so make it count! :))

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Dear Freshman,
Don’t be scared that you don’t know anyone because you probably won’t know anyone besides people you went to school with. GET INVOLVED! Try out for a sport or dedicated club, you have to start somewhere. You’ll never know if you don’t like certain things if you don’t try it. Everyone else in your grade is starting fresh so you are never alone. Try to expand your activities, things may never work out in the long run, o always have something to do whether its a sport or job. Take advantage of our good education system here, not everyone is lucky enough to go here or have your teacher. Always respect your teachers because in return they‘ll respect you and always help you out in return.

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I remember exactly how you feel right now, anxious or trying to fit in, but also excited for what’s to come. These next coming years will be some of the most important years and a lot of change will come. As long as you focus on the positives high school can change you for the better. Don’t stress about schoolwork and tests too much and try to find a good rhythm of studying but also having fun and enjoying these times. This is a time to make friends that could last a life time and to learn things that could interest you make sure to open up to new experiences and people.

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Dear Freshman,
Your Freshman grades actually matter, as they will boost your overall GPA, if you struggle in a different class. They are the easiest classes you will take during your time at NDCL. Classes will only get more difficult as time goes on, so don't slack your first year off. Because if you do, and you do really well your other 3 years, your GPA, won't be as good as it should.

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Welcome to high school! My advice for you would be to push yourself to try new things. Looking back, there are things I wish I would have done that could've lead to new freindships, skills, and experiences that I could have benefited from. So, put yourself out there and don't be afraid to do something nobody else is doing. High school will fly by and you don't want regrets when it's over! On a less serious note, find where all the staricases are. It saves a lot of time in between classes and makes the building feel a lot smaller and less overwhelming :)

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Hey Freshman!! High School may seem really scary during your first couple of weeks or months, but I promise you it really isn't. Don't feel that you need to have the most friends because they will most likely not be your friends at the end of your 4 years. Please make sure to be nice to your classmates and everyone you see in the hallways! Make sure to always work your hardest and strive to be your best self. Have fun because your time in high school will go by really fast. Try your hardest to make it to class on time. If you're going to be late or tardy to school, just make sure to skip the whole first block to make that tardy count!!!

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Hi freshmen,
If I could go back to freshman year and do something different, I would make sure I try to balance school stuff with having fun and taking time for myself. Freshmen year, they discuss what looks good on college applications almost as much as they do senior year when it comes to setting your GPA and joining clubs. Planning out your high school experience may seem stressful, but you need to make sure you’re doing what you enjoy inside and outside of NDCL. I recommend taking classes you’re interested in and doing whatever activities sound fun to you, even if that means starting something new. Live in the moment, and the future will be great!

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Hi Freshmen!! One thing I’ve learned thru all 4 years of high school is your social status truly does not matter. “Popular people” don’t exist. & do not be entitled as a “popular person” and act like your better than everyone else (bc ur not u r all the same ;). Just be nice to everyone & be friends with people u get along with. Like people for who they are & others should do the same for you. Find the people you truly care about & keep those relationships strong & savor every second bc high school literally flies by it’s not even funny. Also make sure u keep an open mind with everything that comes your way thru ur high school career!!

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Welcome to highschool freshman! As I am now finishing out my last week I highschool I wanted to look back on the years because it went by way to fast. Coming into highschool as a freshman I was scared and did not know what to expect. Coming from a small school with a little less than 200 kids, to 800 people in one building was scary to me. I only knew a handful of people and I was nervous. High school on your first week can be scary, but it turns out okay for everyone. You will be able to find your friend group and be yourself and just have fun. The one thing I can tell you is yes you will dread coming to school and there will be many days that you will not want to come to school, but remember and I know everyone will say this but it is true. Highschool goes by very fast and before you know it you will be a senior just like me. So, make the most of highschool because you only go once. Lastly, always be nice to others no matter what, yes you might not like someone it happens, but always stay positive and be nice because people see that and they notice it. So stay with a kind heart and you will get by just fine! Hope the freshman year is good for you and that the years at NDCL are some of your best years!
-Bryan

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Dear Freshman,

Find the people that make you happy and stick with them. If you surround yourself with people that bring you down and cause drama then your high school experience will not be at its best. Get rid of those people. I know it seems like you can't because you don't want to hurt someone's feelings, but it will make the rest of high school so much easier and fun. That is the most important piece of wisdom I can offer. Also, don't be annoying or disrespectful. I know people try to attract attention to themselves by being funny or whatever but that's dumb and it won't matter how many friends you had in high school 10 years from now. Another thing, don't stand in the middle of the hallway, its annoying. Ok so good luck and do your best in your classes. :) :)

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Dear Freshman,
Wow I can only imagine what you are feeling today you might be excited, scared, happy or sad. Just 4 years ago I was sitting in your own shoes excited for what was to come. Let me tell you High School is a wild ride so it is important to keep up with the million things that people throw on you. High School is a time of discovery. So discover yourself, try new things, but most importantly don't lose who you are in the process. A lot of new exciting things will happen in these next 4 years. You will probably get your license, be exposed to adult and maybe if some of you are lucky you might get a girlfriend. Lastly, get ready because it flies by. I am sure you will hear that phrase a million times during your freshman year but it is as truthful as it gets. Make every second count, cherish any moment, stay out of trouble, and lastly don't let any stupid teenager change who you are unless it is for the better.
-Timmy

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Hello FRESHMAN!!!!

As i embark on my jounrey in my last week of high school, I want to give you some advice.

1. dont be stupid.

2. be a class clown (you will get on the teachers good side, but be smart about it)

3. dont slack on your school work.

4. get involved with campus ministry AS SOON AS YOU CAN

5. dont be afraid to be yourself. You dont have to change who you are if you want to fit in. you are perfect just the way you are!

You guys are the future of the school. be yourself, be you and just be kind.

Now I do have a pretty great legacy here ngl, you know as the best tuffy the mascot ever, so I better see someone try and be a good as a mascot as I was.

your probably reading this and thinking why is this guy so unserious right now, because life isnt about being serious 24/7 and you will figure that out soon, during your four
years and just have fun with it

I HOPE YOU GUYS HAVE THE BEST 4 YEARS EVER HERE AT NDCL

-Denny