As a freshman walking through the halls of Middletown High School South for the first time, it is very easy to become overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar sights. But fret not! We, the upperclassmen of Eagle Eye, have crafted a “Freshman Survival Guide,” a must-read for all freshmen. Our insider tips stem from four long years of experience, ranging from how to make the most of your time in our renowned media center to what to do at football home games.

“The next football home game is soon…any tips?”

• Show some school spirit! Wear blue, South’s color, to show your love for your school. If you’re feeling particularly enthusiastic, you can paint your face.
• CHEER, CHEER, CHEER! The louder you cheer, the more support the South football team will have! You want everyone to know just how much you want your school to win. There is no such thing as too much screaming!
• Get there early. You want the best seats in the house. Even though the front row is reserved for seniors, you can still sit as close as possible if you get there before it gets too crowded.
• Go with friends! It’s always more fun when you go in a group.
• Participate in all the chants!
• Invite your family to come! The more people the better!

“Eek, school lunch!”

• The horror stories are not true–in actuality, South’s lunches are pretty good!
• If you want to eat healthy, there are a lot of options–everyday, fresh salad is served.
• Here are a few recommendations from some upperclassmen:

-“I would recommend the chicken nuggets. They’re really nice and crispy. In fact, they taste a lot like McDonald’s chicken nuggets, and who doesn’t love McDonald’s?”

-“You have to try the chocolate chip cookies. They’re so chewy and delicious. I get them a few times a week!”

-“If you don’t feel like eating greasy food but don’t want to just have a salad, you could always get a freshly made sandwich. They’re both delicious and healthy!”

“It’s lunchtime…where should I sit?”

• We know how overwhelming the crowded cafeteria can be. A good idea would be to arrange a meeting place with your friends beforehand. That way, you won’t have to go looking for them.
• There are a lot of places where you can sit, including the mini gym, the cafeteria, sometimes the courtyard, and even in random places throughout the school, such as in front of your locker
• If a group of upperclassmen sit where you and your friend’s usually sit, politely ask them to sit somewhere else, or find another spot if convenient.

“Help! I’m struggling in my classes!”

• We know how stressful the academic transition to high school can be. If you ever feel like you need help with one or more of your classes, there are many people willing to give you guidance!
• There are many peer tutors who can meet with you during advisory, lunch, or after school. You can either speak with them directly or ask your teacher.
• Go in for extra help. It is important to let your teacher know if you’re having trouble and to actively seek help.

“I’m at the media center, now what?”

• The MHSS media center is renowned for its eclectic array of books, journals, and other useful resources. Regardless of what your tastes are, there is sure to be something for you!
• Ask, ask, ask! If you are ever confused about one of the library’s many resources or simply need help finding a book, you simply need to ask! The attentive librarians are always there to help! Ms. Freda is always happy to lend a helping hand.
• You can do a lot of things in the media center, but you cannot eat or drink. After all, the library needs to be kept as clean as possible!
• Don’t just use a random internet search engine. The media center has a diverse collection of online databases, all of them available at a click of your mouse. Take advantage of these!

 Let us know in the comments below if you have any more questions you’d like us to address!