Written By: Sophia Shen

Dear Freshmen,

Welcome to high school! As you begin your journey in Pinkham, I’m sure you have questions. Freshman year can be scary for everyone. The good news is that people are willing to help, as long as you ask for it. With that in mind, I’d like to offer a few pieces of advice.

Try something new

The best way to get involved, to get to know people, and to find your passions is to try new things. Even though it may seem intimidating, you won’t know if you like something until you’ve tried it.

When you join a club, a class, or a sport at RCDS, the good news is that it’s not binding. If you don’t like  it, you’re not obligated to stay. On the other hand, if you love it, you’ll have found a new way to spend your time, make friends, and get involved with the school. RCDS has over 50 student-run clubs, all of which are looking to recruit more participants. You don’t have to be the best at something to give it a try. All you have to do is keep an open mind, and you might find a new passion.

Say “hi” First

Whether it be in class, at lunch, or in the halls, keep a lookout for meeting new people. A simple “hi” goes a long way. 

In high school, everyone is trying to find their people. Take the initiative to start a conversation, whether it’s with a fellow freshman, upperclassman, or a teacher. They might have the same interests as you, and maybe you’ll even find a best friend! Try not to limit your circle, and instead find ways to meet new people. What’s the worst that could happen?

Ask for help

One of the biggest things you’ll learn during your four years at RCDS is that there is always someone willing to help. If you can’t find a class, ask anyone in the halls and they’ll point you in the right direction. If you need help with homework, pop by your teacher’s office during office hours, and they’re more than happy to review a tough concept. And if your teacher is busy, chances are an upperclassman near you has taken the class before and can offer some wisdom. Remember, you’re not expected to have everything figured out the moment you step through these doors, so if you’re ever unsure about anything, just ask.

Join The Rye Crop

I couldn’t end this letter without urging you to join The Rye Crop! Being a member of Crop can be as low or high commitment as you’d like it to be. It never hurts to pop by a meeting and write an article of your choice. Writing for the Crop will help you improve your storytelling and journalism skills tremendously through practice and advice. You’ll have a chance to make your voice heard by writing about sports, events, arts, and more.

Besides writing, joining the Rye Crop will expose you to people, school issues, and campus events you didn’t know existed. You will be pushed to interview different teachers, coaches, and students to get rich content for articles. Through these interviews, you will meet so many new and interesting people who you may have never crossed paths with. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just curious about journalism, we would love to have you.

Although these are just four points, I hope you will take this advice as you navigate your four years here. Make the most of it, and remember that you don’t need to have it all figured out yet.