Number Two: Help out and be kind to your teachers, and they’ll return the favor. High school teachers may seem intimidating when you first meet them, but make no mistake, they have your best interests at heart and only want to see you succeed. If you respect them and listen to what they have to say, they’ll respect you in turn and make sure you have what you need to thrive in your classes.

     Number Three: Keep walking. If you bump into someone, say “sorry” and keep walking. Do not make it a big deal; it happens to everyone all the time. If you walk past one of Rose’s occasional brawls, keep walking. If you pass your friend in the hallway, say “hey” and keep walking. Do not hold up traffic because you might get shoved and people just want to get home or to their next class. This rule is the “Just Keep Swimming” of high school.

     Number Four: Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Rose can be intimidating at first, both due to its size and the number of people in it. It is easy to get lost in your first few weeks when looking for an unfamiliar room, so remember that you can get help if you need it. Find a teacher or an upperclassman, or walk up to Student Services at the front of the school. Wherever you are in Rose, there will always be someone around that you can go to if you need assistance.

     Number Five: Be responsible in the parking lot. Drive carefully coming in and out of school, and don’t hold up traffic if you can help it. If your parents or a friend is dropping you off or picking you up, make sure they aren’t blocking anyone from getting in or out. When you’re backing out of a parking spot, always be sure to look behind you to make sure you aren’t about to concuss an unwary student. Above all, please don’t park in a spot that isn’t yours.

     Number Six: Build that college resume. High school is a lead up to college. Find what interests you and join some clubs that fit that picture. They provide great opportunities for gathering leadership experience, getting service hours and connecting with other motivated peers. Extracurricular activities and volunteer hours are the backbone of a good candidate for a college. Grades show that you are smart, but not necessarily what type of person you are. Through extracurriculars, colleges can tell what you are interested in, how considerate of a person you are and what you can add to their campus. 

     Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

     - Emma Hastings and William Becker