Hello! I've just started high school and I'm wondering, how crucial is my performance during freshman year in terms of college applications? Should I be stressing out about my grades and extracurriculars right away, or is there some leeway to grow and improve later on?
Hello! Don't worry too much; freshman year is indeed important but it's not the end-all be-all of your high school career. Colleges look at your entire high school experience, including your growth and improvement over time.
However, that doesn't mean you should completely disregard your freshman year. Building a strong foundation in terms of academics and extracurriculars will help set the stage for future successes. Focus on developing good study habits, getting involved in clubs or sports that interest you, and cultivating relationships with your teachers.
It's also worth noting that many competitive colleges do examine your entire high school transcript, which means they will see your grades from freshman year. So while it's important not to stress yourself out too much, maintaining a solid academic performance is beneficial. Remember, there's always room for growth and improvement throughout high school, and colleges do recognize that too.
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