Dear incoming freshman,

Welcome to Jones College Prep! On behalf of the entire Blueprint staff–congratulations! Getting accepted into Jones is a huge accomplishment in and of itself, and you should be so proud of where all of your hard work has led you. Whether you knew Jones was the place for you from the moment you walked through its doors or you hemmed and hawed on what school to put at the top of your list, you have four years full of excitement, new experiences, and personal growth ahead of you. 

Stepping into Jones for the first time as an admitted student can be surreal, but also quite overwhelming. You may already know some people in your freshman class, or you may be walking in blind, but regardless, transitioning from the small bubble that is elementary school to a school of 2,000 students is a big change. To make the jump a bit easier, here are some things that I wish I had known before I came to Jones.

First off, always be open to meeting new people. Although freshman year is a key time to make new friends and get to know your classmates, it’s never too late to foster new friendships. From freshman to senior year, consider sitting next to someone you don’t know in class, grabbing a coffee with someone you’ve always wanted to get to know better, or adding a new addition to your typical lunch group. Although four years may not seem like a long time, a person can change immensely in this time frame, and with that so can friendships. It’s okay to end high school with different friends than you started with, so never close yourself off to building new relationships.

Academically, Jones can be very rigorous. You may have come from an elementary school where you are used to barely studying for a test and getting 100%. At Jones, it’s key to know that mistakes are not equivalent to failure. Don’t take a bad grade as a chance to compare yourself to others, because if I’ve learned one thing from my time here, it’s that everybody is so smart in their own ways. Getting used to having strengths and weaknesses when it comes to different subjects is important because it helps you find your passions and learn what areas you may need to ask for help in. 

This leads me to my next point, never be afraid to ask for help! The teachers here at JCP are so accommodating and want nothing more than to see you succeed. Aclab is an extremely valuable resource because all teachers are available to answer your questions or give you space to make up for missing work. In addition, there are many tutoring centers throughout the school during aclab where upperclassmen can provide you with mentorship. As long as your teachers notice that you are trying your best and want to put your best foot forward, then they will assist you however they can to help you achieve your goals.

As such a diverse school, Jones has so many activities outside of academics for you to take advantage of. However, having so much initial exposure to clubs while you are still finding your place within the school can be awfully profuse. Many of you will find yourself in a situation where you sign up for 15 different clubs yet can’t find the time for one. What people don’t tell you is that it’s never too late to join (or rejoin) a club. Our club fair at the beginning of the year is open to all ages and is a great opportunity to gain exposure to all that Jones has to offer. There is no better time than high school to discover yourself and try new things, so I recommend branching out and joining clubs that may be outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, stick with the clubs that you join for at least a little bit. It may seem like you have a lot going on, but you’ll quickly settle into a routine and realize that most clubs aren’t as big of a time commitment as they are made out to be.

School spirit can take many forms. I think that while many believe Jones is lacking in spirit, you just need to know where to look for it. I recommend participating in spirit days, going to sporting events, and attending theatrical performances. You are never “too cool for school,” so make sure to fully delve into all events, and they will be so much more fun. Although the Eagles’ Nest is a bit corny, it is where the school spirit hatches. 

My last piece of advice for you is that fitting into Jones can take time, so being patient with yourself academically and socially is so important. It may take some time to find people that you mesh well with, get into a routine of time management, and discover how you learn best. Especially academically, I have found that it can be very difficult to find study skills that work best for you and get into the groove of honors and AP classes. Lean into the support systems that are put in place for you, and eventually, you will begin to find your footing.

Whatever you picture your next four years at Jones College Prep looking like, scratch that image and leave a blank slate. High school is full of twists and turns, but the staff and your peers here will help guide you through it all. Your future at Jones is full of self-revelation, broadening your mindset, and independence, and gaining new skills from new experiences. Take advantage of everything, and you will grow so much as a student here at Jones. Good luck, and go eagles!

Your Eagle mentor,

Samantha Dombar