The class of 2020 has now been a part of the Lick community for two months. Many upperclassmen remember their freshmen years and can’t help smiling at the embarrassing moments and confusion that occurred. It can be intimidating to go to a completely new place and adapt to the people, schedules, and rules. For the class of 2020, the process of adjusting to high school academics and social life is underway.
photo by Ryan Fernando
Lisa Wu, the Director of Enrollment, describes the freshmen class as “talented, though they might not know it, and big hearted. These freshmen really care about making a difference and doing things in the world, not just about grades.” She reflects on her goals and aspirations for the class of 2020,“I make all these promises for students of what their time will be like at Lick. My goal is that by the time the class of 2020 is in twelfth grade, they will feel like those promises have come through.” Wu hopes to see students taking advantage of the opportunities Lick has to offer while promoting inclusivity.
Ingrid Sigfstead ‘20 and Christopher “Tiger” Gains ‘20 two current freshmen, commented on their contrasting experiences entering Lick. Sigfstead came into Lick, knowing several students through her middle school, Katherine Delmar Burke School, and through her older sister, Annika Sigfstead ‘18. On the other hand, Gains knew barely anyone coming from Zion Lutheran Church & School, but met a few new people through META before the school year started. Gains said that he would like to know if upperclassmen “felt so out of place when they came in, because everyone here is so talented, and you can come in and feel like you’re not talented compared to everyone else.” Gain also wondered, “How did you overcome that?” Sigfstead said that hearing similar experiences from upperclassmen of their freshman years can be reassuring as well as a bonding experience. She suggests to other students, “Don’t judge people based off of what you’ve heard of them or from social media; meet them for yourself.”
Winifred Montgomery, the Director of Learning Strategies, works with many Lick students, helping them develop techniques to learn efficiently. Her office is at The Learning Strategies Center, or the LSC, which is located in the lower fishbowl. One thing Montgomery focuses on is the transition from middle school to high school and the struggles that accompany students through this major step. Montgomery stated, “Most people come from schools where they were the top students; I think this is the biggest barrier frosh face. Often, but not always, many of those students learned effortlessly. Most people come here defining themselves as smart because they got A’s without working and that game changes really dramatically right away.” Montgomery also noted that a majority of freshmen would raise their hands at the old school just because they had an answer, not to question or explain their methods of thinking. “So many people think they’re the only person struggling. They are so afraid of looking stupid that they freeze, and the reason they think they’re stupid is because they are no longer learning effortlessly,” says Montgomery. The idea that you don’t already know the material can be terrifying to people, discouraging them from actively learning. The LSC is a great tool to utilize if one is struggling with a certain aspect of the classroom and/or schoolwork. “The first line of defense is always teachers. Always meet with them first. At this time of year [the start of the school year], I am very busy and my calendar is booked a week in advance at all times, but Jared Green, LSC Associate, is actively soliciting people to come work with him.”
Teachers are also at Lick to support students, as one can email them or meet with them during tutorial or a free. There is math café everyday at lunch in room A, and there is Spanish café everyday in tutorial in room 6. These are valuable outlets for many students seeking support in these subjects. Before going to the LSC, students are encouraged to talk with their teachers and seek advice from them as well.
One senior, Loic Marcon ‘17, a former Town School for Boys student, talked about his experience as a freshman, empathizing with many of the struggles that Gains and Sigfstead speak about. Marcon knew a few students at Lick upon entering, but adjusting to the upperclassmen was still a challenge for him. He suggests, “Getting involved in things is a great resource, because it can be really hard to just go up to someone and talk to them if you don’t know them. So if you go to a club, or if something interests you, go do that and you will meet people with similar interests, and then the more you see them, the more you will recognize them and get to know them.” Marcon played on the Varsity Soccer team freshman year, and found that it was a helpful way to get to know many upperclassmen as well as other boys from around the school. About his academic experience, he shared, “I wish I had taken more seriously that the work is rigorous and that it is hard to miss class. Marcon added, “I wish I wasn’t as intimidated by my teachers as I was, because they are very accommodating.” Freshman year has a reputation for being very easy and not requiring much work, but it is crucial to remember that coming from middle school is a big jump. Marcon gave a few last pieces of advice to all of the freshmen, “There are so many interesting things to do here, and I found myself disappointed when I was only committed to soccer and academics. I was significantly happier when I tried out for the paper and StuCo.” Marcon now finds himself thriving as he is very involved with many different aspects of the school.
Camielle Opperisano ‘17 and Alexa Adams ‘17 are also seniors. For middle school, Opperisano went to Creative Arts Charter School and Adams went to Crocker Middle School. Opperisano talked about her transition, noting, “I wish I had known that the people at Lick are different. It is important to talk to everyone because they aren’t mean. It is just a new experience.” Adams added that “Here, teachers really care about you. Take advantage of that.” She emphasized a difference in rigor at Lick compared to her middle school but advised that during your first year, freshmen shouldn’t “stress out too much.”
Many people work together throughout the school to help ease and facilitate the transition into freshman year. It is important to remember that these resources are here, as well as the fact that it is a common struggle. Freshmen are not alone in feeling confused and out of place. Many describe the importance of putting yourself out there and finding support within the community.
