High school is a new and exciting part of your academic career. Transitioning to a new school and a higher set of standards might seem intimidating at first, but there are a few things you can do to make your time in high school more enjoyable.
1) Get Familiar with the School Setting
See if your school has a freshman orientation day and go to it. Take a friend or go with your parents and get acquainted with the layout of the building. Find your locker and the rooms where you’ll have most of your classes so you can navigate without getting lost.
2) Know Your Schedule
Make sure your schedule is right before the first day. If you find a mistake or have any questions, call the school for answers. This will ensure that everything goes smoothly and helps you get familiar with your class schedule before the semester gets underway.
3) Take Academics Seriously
High school has higher expectations than middle school, and you need to be prepared to live up to them. Pay attention to what you’re learning in class, make time to study and ask questions to ensure that you really understand the information. What you’re learning now will lay the foundation for college and beyond.
4) Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
That said, you don’t have to take on everything all by yourself. Your parents, teachers and guidance counselor are there to help you through this new phase in your life. Don’t hesitate to talk to someone if you’re struggling with a tough subject or a daunting personal problem.
5) Stay Organized
Books, papers and binders add up over the course of the year. Stay on top of the clutter to avoid a huge mess in your locker or your bedroom. Keeping things in order makes it easier to find what you need in class and when the time comes to study for quizzes and exams.
6) Don’t Be Shy
Making new friends in a new setting can be intimidating, but you’d be surprised how many people you’ll get to know if you open up a bit. Be nice, smile, pay attention when others talk and be genuinely interested in their wellbeing and you’ll develop new relationships in no time.
7) Avoid the Drama
As you make friends, you’ll find that someone is always going to be in “crisis mode” over everything. Don’t get dragged into this drama. It’s emotionally draining, eats up time better spent on academics and isn’t important in the long run.
8) Try Something New
A new school means new opportunities for extracurricular activities. Find clubs or sports that really interest you and get involved. Don’t overextend yourself to try and look good on a college application; rather, pick activities that you enjoy or try something that you’ve always wanted to do but never got a chance to before.
9) Take Care of Yourself
Getting into the swing of high school can take a lot out of you. Make sure that you sleep enough and make good food choices. Working in some time to exercise can’t hurt, either. Staying in good shape will give you the energy and concentration you need to do well.
10) Enjoy Your High School Career
High school is a big responsibility, but it can also be a lot of fun. The people you meet and experiences you encounter will be fresh and interesting, so make the most of the time you have and take every opportunity to grow as a person. These days will be over before you know it.