
Portland, Oregon, U.S.A
January 12, 2025
Dear (potentially overachieving) Freshman,
As my first semester of senior year comes to an end, there’s still a long list of demands ahead of me: remaining applications, finals, and the impending doom of college rejections. But this new year, I want you to remember the moments you’ll have with your peers and family.
I know freshman year feels like forever. It’s the beginning of increasing social and emotional pressures. If you have siblings who are in their senior year, you’re probably hearing about their acceptances (or rejections) to schools. Maybe you’re thinking about what college you want to attend. Maybe you have an idea about what major you want to pursue. Maybe you don’t.
In my freshman year, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Passions grow and evolve with age, and change can mean that you’re growing as a person.
It’s so easy to think about college as a goal in the next part of high school. I spent my freshman, sophomore, and junior year almost obsessed with my grades. But the time I spent studying struck my social life.
I lost time, and I regret not pursuing memories with friends in favor of grades.
There’s always a way you can pace yourself with difficult classwork. Friends can help you study for the hardest tests and get you through the lowest moments of the year. They’ll also be around you during prom and other fun occasions.
Life is a race, but you can make the journey worthwhile. Look towards those around you and take inspiration if you want to be like them.
Celebrate your achievements with those closest to you. Spend time with your parents and figure out your direction from there.
There’s so much to life, and it’ll always be a race. There will always be expectations waiting ahead of you, no matter how hard you try.
But time spent with others can last a lifetime. You might laugh back at these silly photos taken with your friends during freshman year. Your interactions with upperclassmen might become treasured memories as they’ll be gone the next year.
Memories become a treasure trove you can always look back on. Don’t forget them in the midst of school.
Thanks,
Dana Kim
Dana Kim is a Senior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.