SALEM — The air is getting cooler and the days shorter, which can mean only one thing — it's time to head back to school.
It's a moment young people approach with a varying mix of excitement and dread, and for incoming high school freshmen across the North Shore, the milestone can be nerve-wracking.
So the Salem News set out to find some local experts — successful upperclassmen — to share their advice on successfully navigating the big halls, student activities and myriad subjects at local high schools. Here's what they had to say.
ZAC BROUGHTON
Junior
Salem High School
Activities: Junior class president, junior representative to student government, first lieutenant in ROTC, part-time job at Shaw's
Academic advice for incoming freshmen? "When I was a freshman, I was afraid to take on too much — and obviously, that changed. So my advice is: Don't be afraid to jump in. You can always step back if you have to. ... I also work at Shaw's, so it's important for them to know they can be involved during school, after school, and outside of school."
Social advice? "You can't be afraid to be yourself; I know that's not always the most popular choice. ... If you get involved, the people you become friends with will definitely help you out."
Best overall tip? "You can never give up, because tomorrow is always a new day. There are good days and bad days at Salem High School — thank God, more good than bad days. I always realize that no matter what happens, there is always another day."
DELIA FARIA
2008 graduate, Salem High School
Freshman
UMass Dartmouth
Activities: Former president of Salem High School Art Club; longtime Girl Scout who received the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts
Academic advice? "Definitely manage your time well. I am awful at managing and organizing my time, and I worked on that a lot my senior year. It made things go so much easier."
Social advice? "Don't get intimidated by all these (new) people because you will make friends."
JOE SANTAMARIA
Senior
Beverly High School
Activities: Captain of the football team
Academic advice? "If you need help with anything, just let people know."
Social advice? "Everyone has a place here. ... People have to put themselves out there. Even if you're shy, you'll find your way around."
Tip? Don't listen to seniors who tell you that Beverly High has a third floor with a pool. It doesn't.
KERRI MROSZCZYK
2008 graduate, Danvers High School
Freshman, Boston University
Activities: Danvers High School band, soccer, Danvers High salutatorian
Academic advice? "I found seeing the teachers one-on-one after school made a big difference for me. I went after school with all my questions ... especially when we had to write essays or just with general concerns with the class."
Social advice? "Do as much as you can in terms of sports, art programs and clubs."
GREG PIERCE
2008 graduate, Beverly High School
Freshman, Bowdoin College
Academic advice? "Broaden your horizons and try out as many things as you can... I focused on academics and sports and, looking back, I wish I tried other things like music."
Social advice? "Get involved in as many aspects of high school as you can. It flies by."
NATHANIEL BROWN
Senior
Ipswich High School
Activities: Saxophonist in the school band and jazz band
Academic advice? "Don't underestimate the importance of putting effort into your work. If you only give half an effort, your grades will get worse and worse."
Extracurricular advice? "Find something you want to do the rest of your life. Everything that's available (in school) is not in your classes."
ESTAPHANIE RODRIGUEZ
2006 graduate, Salem High School
Now working at Salem YMCA
Academic advice to freshmen? "Your teachers are not going to hold your hand. They just need to develop their own study habits, because they're getting themselves ready for college."
Social advice? "They shouldn't let themselves fall into peer pressure. They should keep themselves busy playing sports and studying, because it's very different than middle school."
DAVID ST. PIERRE
Junior
North Shore Technical High School
Activities: Football, freshman mentor
Academic advice? "Freshman year is when you set the focus for the rest of high school."
Social advice? "I thought I'd be harassed, but it's not really like that. It's more the hype. I've never seen it happen."
NICK MELVILLE
Senior
Peabody High School
Activities: Band president, performing arts, book club
Social advice?" I have a lot of friends who were freshmen last year. You've just got to be outgoing and express yourself."
RAY TOBIN
Senior
North Shore Technical High School
Activities: football, freshman mentor
General advice? "Take up a good amount, but don't do too much between athletics and extracurriculars. Academics is key. That'll be your job."
