On the first day of school, Anchorage teens share tips for high school freshmen

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Bartlett senior Herman Grey, center, participates in an activity where students stood back-to-back and tried to support each other as they sat down on the gym floor. About 80 junior and senior student mentors led activities for more than 400 incoming freshman at Bartlett High School on August 20, 2018. The program, called Link Crew, was designed to give newcomers the chance to make connections, get familiar and receive encouragement before classes begin. (Marc Lester / ADN)

Fourteen-year-old Jaylen Tocktoo couldn't sleep Sunday night.

Monday was her first day of school as a freshman at Anchorage's Bartlett High. She was so excited, she said, and also so nervous. She previously went to Anchorage's Alaska Native Cultural Charter School. She'd never had a locker before or changed classes. She hadn't boarded a school bus since kindergarten. She recounted a recent conversation she had with her mom: "She's like, 'I'm crying, you're going into high school.' And I'm like, 'Mom, I'm fine.'" But, it's a lot of change and it kept Tocktoo awake.

"I didn't go to sleep until like 1 a.m.," she said on Monday afternoon as she sat in Bartlett's auditorium with more than 400 other new freshmen. This day was set aside entirely for them.

Tocktoo and the group got their schedules, they went to their lockers, they found their classrooms and, most importantly, they were linked up with high school juniors and seniors who served as their mentors, said Rebecca Vano, a Bartlett teacher and organizer of Monday's transition program. The hope is that those relationships continue through the school year, Vano said. There's a difference when a upperclassman reaches out to a freshman, instead of a teacher offering help.

"It matters a lot more because they have social capital," she said. "They're cool."

Those upperclassmen had advice to share Monday for Tocktoo and others new to high school.

The Anchorage Daily News asked 10 of the mentors what they wish they would've known as a freshmen. Here's what they said.

1. Stay on top of your homework. Don't procrastinate. Don't overload yourself. Academics come before sports. — Tyler Reierson, 17, senior.

2. It's easier to study at school than at home. Talk to the librarian about using the library before and after school. — Evie Tuisamatatele, 16, junior.

3. You're only in high school for four years, but they go by really fast. Embrace the experience. Treat everyone with respect, especially your teachers, because they're the ones that pass you at the end of the day, and have fun. — Jayshawn Hudson, 16, junior.

4. Maintain a good reputation. Be kind. Be involved. Be helpful. Then people will want to help you too. — Herman Grey, 17, senior.

5. Join a club. It really helps you and motivates you and gives you a sense of community. — Brandon Lavoie, 17 senior

6. Find a short, easy way to get to lunch. The lunch line gets long. — Maikia Thao, 16, junior.

7. If you ever need help, just go to your teacher. That's one thing I wish I really did. They're really understanding. — Ethan Douglas, 17, senior.

8. High school is temporary. Don't sweat the small stuff. You might lose some friends, but you'll gain better friends. — Joua Hang, 18, senior, and Xai Xiong, 16, junior.

9.  People aren't as judgmental as others make them out to be. They're actually a lot nicer than you think, especially upperclassmen, they'll help you out. — Dagny Cunningham, 17, junior.

10. Always participate in spirit week, whether it's fuzzy-sock day or triplet day or onesie day. — Aryel Williams, 16, junior.