Shrouding darkness, flashing lights, and blaring music accompanies a surge of swarming students confined in one small hallway. Streamers and tape litter the floors due to the constant jumping and movement of students. This intense scene is commonly referred to as the Senior Wall of Magnet’s Spirit Week.

Next week marks the beginning of Homecoming week, aka Spirit Week, that carries on traditions such as Generation Day and Wall Day, but for incoming freshmen this experience is all new and often overwhelming. The rush of excited upperclassmen through the hallways and spontaneous dance parties are essential to Spirit Week, and with the right attitude, this can be just as fun for the underclassmen as it is for the returning Magnet students.

This week should first be noted as a very serious event. Freshmen often underestimate the intensity of competitiveness that occurs during this week. The points earned for each activity accumulate by the end of the week, and the feeling of coming in first place as a grade level creates such a rush of adrenaline that usually ends up with a wall theme prop being destroyed out of excitement at the pep rally. Dressing up for each themed day already boosts the chances of a grade level earning more points, and participating in the daily activities also increases the possibility of winning. In short, don’t be afraid to go all out on your Spirit Week costumes. The more confident you seem, the less intimidating any other grade levels will feel.

Besides the importance of winning, the actual hustle and chaos of the hallways on Wall Day during bell breaks may either be taken as a positive or negative thing. Nearly all upperclassmen join the raves that take place at their respective Walls, however the Senior Wall tends to always be the place with the most student activity on Friday.

The Senior Wall resides in the lobby, also known as the Key, and entering this otherworldly party that consists of screaming and jumping usually causes newcomers to shrink in fear.  Freshmen often make the mistake of getting caught in the middle of the chaos when trying to get to class or lunch, but showing no signs of fear when passing through will likely make you appear unbothered or unafraid of the festivity occurring around you. Alternatively, clinging to the walls around the actual rave and hoping you don’t get trampled until the next bell rings also works.

If making it through the competitiveness and high energy of Spirit Week seems like a breeze, then chances are the Pep Rally won’t tear you down. Hundreds of high school students cheering and supporting the multiple sports teams and clubs that appear during this event will eventually become what seems louder than a Metallica concert. School spirit is key to making your grade more united, and freshmen underestimate how loudness is equivalent to power when it comes to the Pep Rally. Nearly every year, freshmen back down to using their voices to join in on the cheering, but this year could be the first that the youngest grade can finally overcome the confidence of other grades.

Of course, not all traditions and secrets of Spirit Week can be revealed in one article. Part of becoming a true Magnet student is experiencing Wall Day and the Pep Rally in all of its highs and lows. Upperclassmen may have already exposed senior class secrets or tricks to the freshmen class, but every year, new surprises always arise. Homecoming Week shouldn’t just be a week of survival for freshmen, but also a week of low stress and school spirit.