<p>Hey ballerina22,
I’m a new lower at Andover right now, so I can tell you a little bit about the adjustment. </p>
<p>It’s not easy. Being a new lower is tough in many different ways. Academically it’s pretty tough, as well as socially. Teachers don’t slow down the material like they do for freshman. Also as a new lower, you won’t immediately know the majority of your grade, so it feels little bit weird. </p>
<p>That being said, the transition is manageable, and you can find your place here. Here’s my advice:</p>
<p>-Request flagstaff. Or maybe PKN or one of the quads. Just not Abbott. You do NOT want to be put into Abbott. The daily walks will murder you.</p>
<p>-Request a roommate. I requested a single, and I regret it. It allows you to get know someone extremely well early on. </p>
<p>-Dorms are up to you. I’m in a small dorm, and it has it’s pluses and minuses. On the plus side, I know everyone in my dorm extremely well–something I wouldn’t have in a big dorm of 40 kids. On the downside, I didn’t get to meet as many people. Orientation is much easier if you’re in a large dorm because you get to meet more people, and you’ll always have someone to talk to. Also, it really depends on your dorm/the chemistry of people in your dorm. Some dorms click immediately. Other dorms take time. Other dorms never click. </p>
<p>-Put yourself out there somehow and get known for something. Helps so much. Also, I’d advise running for student council. One of my friends ran for lower rep as a new lower, and he met so many more kids from doing that. He now knows almost all of our grade. So, I’d definitely advise that if you’re looking to meet people, student council is a great bet.</p>
<p>-Don’t be afraid to approach people you don’t know during the first few days. The way I met two of my best friends here was in the lunch line one day. </p>
<p>Anyways, PM me if you have any more questions. I’ll continue to update more about the transition.</p>