The seniors at Liberty High School were asked what they wish they’d known as a freshman. Many said they would have focused more on academics and made better use of their time. “I definitely should have focused more on my grades as a freshman,” said Senior, Marcuse Martin. Others said they simply wished they’d known their way around the school a little better. “I wish I knew where my classes are,” said Senior, Dylan McDonald.
Many of the seniors also hoped they’d known more about what they could do at the school or what they should do to be more successful. “I probably would have tried out for more clubs and sports,” said Senior, Melanie Sloan. Others simply wish they would have done better. “I wish I had taken it more seriously during my freshman year,” said Senior, Garret Owens.
When it came to education, some seniors wished they had understood more about the expectations and the transition to high school. “I wish I knew that even though you are gonna have a lot of work shoved in your face, learn how to manage it and take things slow, one at a time,” said Senior, Mataya Rentzsch. Others say that it’s good to not judge a book by its cover, meaning that you shouldn’t judge people or experiences until you’ve tried them. “There’s always bigger fish and things aren’t as intimidating as they may seem,” explained Senior, Jonah Blue.
Beyond academics, many seniors wish they had taken advantage of more opportunities to get involved in school activities. “I think I would have been a lot more mature if I knew what I know now,” said Senior, Katie Crile. Others think that maybe it would have turned out worse if they had gotten more involved. “I probably would have taken more rigorous courses and been burnt out already,” said Senior, Diana Navarro.
Most seniors wish they knew more about the school as a freshman. “I think I didn’t have much of the details and didn’t know what was happening when I was a freshman,” said Rentzsch. Others believe that their friend groups may have changed or had different dynamics. “I might have had more friends and more people I would have connected with my freshman year,” said Sloan.Like Sloan, many seniors felt that time and experience had changed their perspectives. “I definitely know more now than in my freshman year and have developed more. I think more deeply and understand more difficult things and problems,” said Senior, Katie Crile.
Several seniors admitted they could have benefited from talking to more adults early in high school. “I think that I should have talked to my counselors more as a freshman,” said Senior, Marcuse Martin. Others think they should have used their time wisely. “I think I shouldn’t have procrastinated in my freshman year,” said Senior, Diana Navarro.
Across all the interviews, one message stood out: high school is what you make of it. For most seniors, that meant learning to balance academics, friendships, and new opportunities. Their collective advice to incoming freshmen is to stay curious, take chances, and enjoy every experience along the way.
