The 2018-2019 school year has officially come to a close. With exams, last minute assignments, and watching movies in class being the only thing keeping the freshman, sophomores, and juniors from summer break, students are anxious to be done with school. Everyone’s school year went differently: some students thrived this year, some had one of the hardest years of their lives, and some stayed pretty static. Sure, everyone goes through the same crap throughout the year, but nevertheless the experiences differ from student to student. Reflecting on those experiences is a beneficial way to change and grow for the upcoming year, as well as give advice to the incoming class. With summer break soon approaching, students should take these next few days to gather everything they learned this year and apply it to the 2019-2020 school year, in hopes of an even better year than the previous one. Three GLHS students reflected on their academic year, and offered advice to the incoming classes.

Freshman Vivian Rao: “For me, this school year was really fun. I never felt nervous to go to high school, which was really good for me at the beginning. Something that I learned was to really focus in class. Freshman year is your foundation and you don’t want to start off rough and then have to make up for it when time is running out (senior year).

The hardest part of my freshman year was realizing that not everyone is going to like you/be there for you, and the quicker you accept it, the faster you will be able to become strong.

What I’m most excited for next year is to not be a freshman and possibly start finding classes that I can focus on for a possible career in college.

Don’t complain about freshman year because it will go by so fast, and then you’ll start having classes that are more advanced, and don’t let freshman year stress you out!”

Sophomore Camden Schuchaskie: “This school year went pretty well. I learned how to do stoichiometry in chemistry. The hardest part of my year was definitely chemistry.

The thing I’m most excited for about next year is the fact that I’ll be an upperclassman.

My advice to incoming sophomores is do your lon-capa.”

Junior Lauren Petrie: “This year was a year full of growth for me. Looking back on it, I realize that I am a much stronger person and have a better perspective on life than when I started the school year. I am so thankful for all of the people I’ve gotten closer to this year, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

The hardest part of Junior year for me was staying positive and motivated during the winter, but the snow days helped a lot when I needed a break.

I am most excited for Student Council next year. I will be the Senior class President, and I am so looking forward to leading the class in my last year!

My biggest advice for the next Junior class is to study frequently for the SAT, and even take it earlier than the mandatory date. That way, you’ll be under less pressure in April, and if it’s your second time around you’ll do that much better.”