Dearest Readers,
As the year comes to a close, we prepare to say goodbye to the Class of 2025. Though the days seem numbered, with some itching to leave and others wishing to remain longer, our wonderful Fort Hamilton High School seniors are off to make their marks on the world.
Fort seniors have been accepted into over thirty different colleges and universities around the state (and even the globe for some). In addition, our college-bound students have decided on over 35 majors, from theater to business to biology!
So how did these seniors manage to survive and thrive through Fort Hamilton to reach their happy endings? I’ve compiled a list of advice that could serve as a comprehensive survival guide for you!
i. Fort Hamilton has so many opportunities! Take advantage of them!
Fort Hamilton is a school of many opportunities. From being able to take Advanced Placement classes to gain college credit to Fort’s 99+ amazing clubs, there’s always a niche for every student to find.
Want to have a place in helping the school? Apply for Leadership, National Honors Society, or run for Student Council. Looking for something that involves physical movement and high energy? Try out for one of Fort’s numerous sports teams, audition for the school musical, or join a club.
Looking to be ahead of the game? If given the opportunity, challenge yourself by enrolling in an Advanced Placement or College Now classes to provide yourself with a leg-up for your future in college.
If there’s one thing to remember about Fort Hamilton High School, the school’s staff is here to help you in any way it can.
ii. Find success in any form it comes to you in!
It’s hard to get the “A” we all wish we could have. But remember that, at times, success is in the small victories just as much as it is in the “big” ones. Sometimes success is found in a positive comment from a teacher on one of your assignments. Other times, success might be found in participating and advocating for yourself in class for the first time. Maybe success is just going through your least favorite class daily and knowing you’re learning something. You define what success means to you. Treat your grades with the respect they deserve, but don’t let them define how you feel or act.
iii. Your teachers are your biggest supporters (besides maybe your immediate family)!
It’s very easy to convince yourself that you’ll never get better in a class you struggle in, that your teachers are too harsh, and it’s better to quit and coast.
I have one piece of advice for this situation: Don’t see your teachers as harsh, omnipotent graders who don’t care about you; that’s far from the truth.
Many teachers offer after-school tutoring and some even tutor on Saturdays. There’s no punishment for ever asking for help. In fact, it shows that you’re trying despite it all.
We have wonderful, kind, and supportive teachers who will help you succeed. All you have to do is meet them halfway there!
iv. Enjoy the trip!
If there’s one final piece I can give you from seniors and as the presiding Starcatcher, enjoy the trip.
High school can feel like forever, but when you look back, you’ll find that these four years have flown by. Soon, you’ll be moving onto bigger and better things! But for now? It’s your last opportunity to enjoy your life as a teenager.
So, audition for the school musical, join the weird club you didn’t think you’d like, and find yourself. Who knows, maybe you’ll even end up writing an advice column!
