WELCOME, freshies, and returning Lancers. We all know going back to school is either the most dreaded or long-awaited date to come, but whether you love or hate it, it’s inevitable, so it’s important to be well prepared for the year ahead of you.

My personal favorite way to start off every school year is to get all the supplies I need for the classes on my schedule and to plan ahead before buying them. For any class, you know you’ll need a large number of pens and pencils because you’ll lose them faster than you buy them.

And to write on with those brand-new pencils, you’ll need composition notebooks. Taking notes is extremely important, especially in CE or AP classes, because those notes will help you remember the material. Keeping those notes organized and easy to read is a bit harder, though.

I would suggest getting highlighters and colored sticky notes so you can find what you need fast and effectively. Teachers have been giving out more and more papers and worksheets. To make sure you don’t lose them, you should get a large folder and label each paper with its class.

This helps you keep track of what you have and what you need to do. Planners are extremely helpful, too.

Don’t get me wrong, classwork is important, but please keep on top of your personal hygiene. Nobody wants to smell last night’s onion fart while walking behind you. You’ll need deodorant to stop the sweat, or at least make it more tolerable, and if you wish, a body spray to make you smell even better.

Avoid Axe, and get those compliments you so desperately desire. Gum is also a must-have because your breath will stink at the most inconvenient moments, or you just need something to chew on to help you focus.

Trust me when I say you will need some sort of ChapStick or Vaseline, hair ties, baby or makeup wipes, and a brush. Especially if you’re in a sport, you will regret not having these after school.

Now motivation plays a big part in our lives, especially as lazy little teenagers. To make your life a bit easier, set a clear routine for your week. You can buy a whiteboard and write down what you need each day, crossing it off when you’re done.

Wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day because studies show that it helps your mental game in the long run. Even if you need five more minutes, no, just get up. Five more minutes does nothing but waste time. It takes discipline and time to adjust.

And don’t let yourself slack off or say, “I’ll do this later.” It is better to endure a few late or sleepless nights than to fall behind and get a bad grade. We all need breaks, so just plan ahead for when you’ll need yours.

Give yourself one to two hours a day for homework. And pro tip: making lunches at home saves time and money, and it is probably way healthier than getting In-N-Out every day of the year.

Speaking of sports, you will 100% regret not joining any sort of club or team. Everyone you know will be talking about things going on in their life that you could have been a part of if you chose to join a team.

I’m not saying you should let people force you into things, but if you do join, you won’t regret the memories you’ll make here. It’s not just about you joining; just going to school events like dances, assemblies, or games can create amazing memories and nostalgia for you to look back on.

So don’t hide in a corner all of high school. Even if it’s your last year, take that risk! Lastly, but definitely not least, connect with your teachers and make friends. Don’t just be a face on the seating chart that nobody will remember. C’MON, make a name for yourself and have fun.

Have a good year, Lancers!