To Future Freshmen/High School Students,

Four. The number of years you will be journeying through high school. Although four years may seem like ages at the beginning, they will fly by, and suddenly, you will be a sophomore, a junior, a senior, and finally an alumnus. As an upcoming senior, I reminisce about all the lively events I retain as memories and the maturing trials I withstood. From these experiences, I gained a mass of advice I would repeatedly disclose to my younger-self and thus you.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, lost, and anxious during your first few days, weeks, or even months of freshman year, it is completely normal and validated. Moving from middle to high school is a large transition. But take advantage of getting to know your upperclassmen and teachers; they unfailingly care about you and are more than happy to help make your transition easier, whether it is through help on academics or just wise advice while sipping coffee at a cafe.

During your freshman and sophomore year, request courses that spark your interest and passion but also those which challenge you. Approach subjects and discussions with curiosity, and always ask questions that you wish your teachers to expand on. Maybe you will, early on, discover your answer to the commonly-asked question of what you’re planning on majoring in. Try everything at least once, and then focus in on the subjects, topics, and hobbies that make you the most excited to exist.

More than any other year, this first year of high school is about finding your work ethic and building time management, a routine you will perfect your sophomore year so that you can balance the many facets of being a high school junior and senior. High school operates like a company: as you get “promoted” to a higher grade, privileges as well as responsibilities multiply.

Of course, read a plethora of books—don’t roll your eyes at me right now. As you read, you experience heightened brain connectivity in your left temporal cortex associated with language reception and memorization and create white matter in your brain which essentially rewires and improves communication in the organ while increasing your ability to concentrate and retain memories. Not only will you score higher on standardized tests, but you might actually find you enjoy hearing the stories of others, and you’d be surprised how impactful some of the required reading books truly are.

Not to mention, throughout your high school years, you will undergo seasons of contentment, joy, peace, and restfulness as well as hardships and situations that are far beyond our strengths. In all, lean on the Lord. David reinforces this in Psalm 84:12: “Blessed is the one who trusts in You.” The King of kings already holds a uniquely perfect future for each of His children, and He is already guiding you towards it. As expressed in Psalm 139, every single day of your life was authored in the pages of God’s book—even before you were alive! Nothing will occur that He has not written into his book and does not perceive. While it is tempting to look over the “fence” to check others’ accomplishments and possessions in envy, you will always possess what you need because God meets each and every one of His children’s necessities with unbroken faithfulness.

Remember that the God who rules over all holds each and every one of your “what-ifs” in His hands, and there is peace found in that. You will leave Trinity Christian Academy with a first-rate liberal arts education, fond memories, and a bright future ahead of you!

Warm regards,

Richelle Kim ’23

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