Welcome freshman to your first year at Eastern High School! I am sure the whole summer you have nervously been wondering what high school is going to be like, and if you haven’t, well then you’re faking.

Don’t worry, because even with the horror stories you’ve probably heard, high school isn’t something to sweat over. Eastern has an overwhelming number of students and more keep coming, so these tips and suggestions are really going to come in handy if you want your freshman year at Eastern to be a good one.

Just so everyone understands, Eastern has three floors and a basement. Only four staircases lead to the basement.

Now listen carefully. All of those staircases are located to the right of the cafeteria. One is at the very end of the hall by room 109, another is almost immediately to the cafeteria’s right. Another is straight ahead from the one located to the immediate right of the cafeteria. And the last one is just a little further down the hall from the prior. Yes, that is confusing and hard to follow, but don’t fret, you will have it mastered in no time.

There is also another building, as you may have noticed, that is connected by The Tunnel. The Tunnel is located on the second floor, and it comes out right next to room G12. It is important to remember the G stands for Gym. Any room with a G in front means it is in the Gym building, and you will most likely be using the Tunnel or crossing the parking lot.

But beware, if you decided to use the parking lot to get to your class, you will get locked out if you don’t find someone on the inside to help you in. If you’re unsure about making it to your class, use The Tunnel. At least it won’t lock you out of the building.

Some of you may have trouble getting to class in five minutes when you have to get to your locker, use the restroom, or make your way through the impossible crowded halls and staircases. There is help for this.

The bathrooms are just something you need to memorize, and there is a trick that can help you remember. The bathrooms alternate genders from floor to floor. For example, if you see a men’s restroom on the first floor, right above it is a women’s restroom on the second floor, then a men’s right above that on the third floor. Simple, right?

Now don’t roll your eyes when I say this, but organization is key to being successful. It is an important skill, and without it, your life will be a lot more complicated.

One way to stay organized throughout the year is to keep your locker clean. This way, when you do need to get to your locker in between classes, it will be faster and will allow you to get to places quickly. Also, no one wants to see a nasty, pulsating sandwich that has been stinking up your locker since day one. Gross.

It is also important to keep your locker clean so it won’t get jammed. If it hasn’t happened to you yet, it probably will. If your locker is crammed full of books, jackets, and backpacks chances are your locker will jam. And if it jams, and your locker is clean, look at your neighbors. It could be their untidiness that is the problem.

Another thing you have most likely found to be true is not to ask other students for directions. Chances are you will be told the wrong way, or you won’t receive any answer at all. Try instead to ask the nearest teacher or adult, they will help you. Also, believe me when I say there are no elevator passes, hall passes, or homework passes to which some students have special access. When someone is trying to sell you a “limited time only” rare elevator pass, just walk away.

Student Services is one of the most important places at Eastern. If you ever need to leave school early, then Student Services is the place to go. The same is true if you arrive late to school.

While there, you sign in or out and it will excuse you for that day, if you have a valid excuse, of course.

All of these pointers should make life at Eastern seem effortless and trouble-free. Just try to remember that high school doesn’t have to be this huge, daunting place. It can be an exciting year filled with new people and brilliant teachers if you let it. Remember that, and you will be just fine.