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Dear Freshman, it is important to take your grade’s seriously and make sure you turn in your work on time. The grades you get freshman year will give you a good starting point to build off of the rest of your time in high school. While school is important, it is also important that you get involved int he school and join a club or sport so that you can meet new people. The community at ndcl is unlike any other school, everyone is very welcoming and kind, so don’t be afraid to get involved and enjoy your time at ndcl.

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Hi freshman! Welcome to high school! It's not as serious as you think it is, so just have fun! Nothing really matters, so just prioritize your own happiness over everything else. NDCL is what you make of it, so be nice to everyone and have fun with the little things. High school really goes by faster than you think, so actually try to soak up these years and don't take it for granted. These can be the best years of your life if you allow it, so just be open to new experiences. When I was your age, I struggled with the same issues and I regret wishing away these years. On the other hand, tardies and detentions are so insignificant, so if you're already going to be late to school just get food or something hahah. Don't be scared of anything and make sure you have fun! good luckkkk

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Dear Freshman,

Throughout my four years I have realized that the moments you share with friends, and the work you put in is all worth it. From building new relationships, to meeting people you never have before; take those opportunities and run with them. You never know who can change your life. It all goes back to the saying that one person, one conversation, or even one sentence can change your life. Good luck and I hope to see what you will accomplish in the future.

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Dear Freshman,

I remember going into high school very timid and scared of what was to come. These four years truly fly by and I wish I could go back to the good times I have had. I want you to realize that it is okay to go through hardships during high school but it is how you grow from it. Open up your horizon to different opportunities and friends who you might not know yet. It is okay to branch out and truly become your own person. Do not dwell on the hard things you may encounter but be happy for the great times you will have. One day you will realize that the future is coming and you will not have what you do now. So take it all in while you can. Try to be different and be your own person but also work hard in the things you are passionate about. It will only lead you in the right direction. In all, enjoy every moment you have with the people around you and be there for others as well as yourself.

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Dear Freshman,

I have realized that during my four years nothing really has mattered. Many things I cared about in the moment has no meaning four years later. The only things that do are the academic grades and the relationships I built with others. Maybe the same will apply for you.

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Dear Freshman, four years go by fast so make the most of every single day. There are going to be people in your life that are always going to be against you, ignore it. The negative attitude towards people is a waste of your time. try new things, talk to people that you wouldn't normally talk to, and branch out. Take your academics seriously, because it will help you get into the college of your choice. Most importantly, have fun and be yourself. At the end of the day, sometimes all you got is yourself and you are going to want to be happy with the type of person you become. Have a good 4 years, make the most of it!

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Try not to miss class and be late. It's not worth the extra couple of minutes of sleep. If you do it too often, you'll be getting to know detention a little more than most would want to. Another thing, use the heck out of your academic coaches and ELB. The worst feeling is knowing that you missed out on a scholarship because your accumulative GPA got dragged down from a lack of care during Freshman year. Trust me, been there, done that. Wouldn't recommend. Have fun, it only gets harder from here.

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Dear Freshman,
Make the most out of each day because the next four years will fly by. Always try new things and meet new people. Work hard and don't procrastinate. But most of all have fun and make memories to last a lifetime.

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A little advice for the hard days- just take it one step at a time. Don't spend your time preoccupied with something that is happening much later, especially if that thing is out of your control. Live in the moment, because even on the hard days, there are moments of fun with your friends and classmates. Also, just always be nice to people. Don't let people walk all over you, but kindness and respect get you so much farther than rudeness ever will.

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Be open-minded, willing to try new things and challenge yourself, but don't forget your values. Time management is key to success, so prioritize your tasks and responsibilities. And remember, high school is just a small part of your life, so enjoy it while it lasts.

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Dear Freshman,
Have lots of fun. However, don't slack off your freshman year, it can hold you back in the future. At the same time, don't push yourself to hard either, a C to B on a test isn't going to matter in the long run, you can always improve. Moreover, enjoy these years, it may be annoying to have to go to school everyday but try to see the positives in it, like getting to see your friends. You also don't need a big group of friends; a small group of real friends is much more valuable. Make sure you stay on top of your schoolwork and try not to procrastinate too much. Most importantly, have lots of fun and try new things. Join every club you want to and do whatever sport you want, don't leave yourself wishing you did this or that. You're going to do great and enjoy your high school years.

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Welcome to NDCL, Freshman! Now, Im going to give you a little advice on what you will need to know to help you get comfortable and help you along your 4 years at NDCL. The first piece of advice is to get comfortable with BlackBoard. Know where all your classes are at and how to find assignments. Know where to check your email and grades too. This was my biggest problem and all I had to do was ask somebody/Anybody. Definitely be yourself. If you think you will get judged because you play a sport that most people don't play or you enjoy something that others don't,It doesn't matter nobody actually cares, so be yourself! Definitely enjoy your four years too because once they are gone you can never get them back so participate in as many activities as you can/hang out with friends but also make sure you prioritize your work because that is #1. Also, If you don't know something, just ask!

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Dear Freshman,
From what I can remember about freshman year, I believe establishing an anchor point to attach yourself to at the beginning of the year is one of the most important things you can do to set your high school experience up for success. Whether that be through a club, a friend group, a sport, or a job. From there you can make friends, learn the foreign culture that is high school and further your interests. Although on the otherhand, you do not have to take every single club, and work 100 hours a week. Your freshman year is defined as the "exploratory year." A period in which you are still new to all that NDCL has to offer, you will make mistakes, but you will also improve. These 4 years really do fly by, surround yourself with good leaders. You become the average of who and what you spend your time with. You will have time to do great things.

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Dear Freshman,
its a big year for you and a big change with a lot of new faces but to embark on this new journey I need you to do your best freshman year it is the most important year of high school even though you might not think that but it is. it sets your GPA for the next years of high school and you will never recover if you do bad. I also want to say even though its for away go on kairos it will be the best experience and decision you will ever make in high school you just don't know it yet. or get involved in campus ministry it helps you so much helping the less fortunate you'll have plenty of time to hang out with friends but only so many opportunities to give back to the community. just take it all in and enjoy yourself that's the most important part. so I say farewell and good riddins freshies.

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Enjoy every moment. Savor the good and grow in the bad. Be a friend to everyone and always be yourself. Never take yourself too seriously. Embrace all kinds of change; you're growing and change is inevitable. Make connections. Don't let worry or anxiety overshadow your ambition and charisma. If you play sports, play every practice and game like it's your last but also love every moment of it. Be a leader on your team no matter how old you are and make it fun and successful. Don't let your future self feel like you missed out on the high school experience, live it to the fullest you possibly can. It's hard to believe now, but when people say it goes by fast, it really does.

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Dear Freshman,
Your high school years are certainly going to be 4 years of your life that will go by very fast. You will make many new friends and create many new relationships with people you may not know right away, but you will soon. I advise you to appreciate the time you spend at NDCL because it will be over sooner than you know. Also, start off as strongly as possible with your grades because it is very hard to get a good gpa when your grades are in the gutter from your freshman year. Even though grades are very important, be sure to take almost every opportunity to hang out with your friends because after your 4 years are done you might not see them for a very long time afterward. Lastly, be nice to everyone, this is a very new environment for all of you and it might be scary, but you are all in this together and will see one another as family by the end of your high school experience.

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Anything you are hesitant, embarrassed or scared of doing, you should probably do. Highschool goes by faster than you think, and the last thing you want is to regret decisions you'll never get back. Play the sports you want to play, hang out with whoever you want, you never know the people or things you'll come across that may change your life. Especially freshman year, that's the best time to try everything because you have nothing to lose. The only way to find out is by actually acting on things. Towards the end is when you really start to miss things and wish you only did more. So anything that you think about doing, do it, as long as its legal.

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Dear Freshman,
Make the most of every moment because it goes by faster than you realize. Cherish your friends and thank your teachers for their hard work. Whatever you do, try not to fall behind in school. It adds extra stress to your already busy schedule. Lastly, be yourself.

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Hello Freshmen,
You made it! You are done with elementary school and ready to embark on another adventure. It may seem scary, nerve-racking, and different, but that is natural. Stay close to God and know if things don't work out "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28). You have your friends and family to lean back on and of course the wonderful NDCL staff and admin that love and care about you like family. I will keep this short and sweet because you will have to read a lot of these. Make sure to keep up with your grades but do not not be afraid to do extra-curriculars. Thinking extra-curriculars will divert your time from studying and make you fail is not true.  Spending time with friends out of the classroom and learning about your hidden skills is just as important. Likewise, if you think you are going to fall behind in busy season, always have an ELB. An ELB is an extended Learning block (study hall) and is the gateway to doing whatever you want after school and achieving good grades. Good talking to you and I hope you do well. Believe in Jesus, Mary, and Joseph because they believe in you and enjoy your time at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin.
Amen

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Dear Freshman,
Welcome to high school! Make sure you enjoy your four years of high school and make them memorable. Interact with school and activities and get involved. Keep your good friends close and don't care what people think about you!! have fun and enjoy the time you have because before you know it you will be a senior, picking your college and getting ready to graduate.

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Dear Freshman,
Truly enjoy each day of high school like it is your last and cherish each day you get here regardless of the good days or the bad days. High school goes by quick and even though it won't feel like it at the start, some day you'll be sitting in class with a week of school left wondering where all the time went. Learn to stay on top of your school work and make friends early. Be nice to the teachers and develop a relationship early with all of them. Most of all just be yourself and have as much fun as you can.