As school approaches, many anxious soon-to-be freshmen await the new experience. As someone who has experienced high school and will soon be a freshman in college, I know the feeling all too well. It can be scary, to say the least. Have no fear, here is a list of tips that I have gathered from my high school experience from a "been there, done that" perspective. Enjoy!
1. It's JUST high school...
Yes, I said it. It's just high school. It may not seem like it now, but just bear with me. Yes, it's a new experience and a big one, at that. But it is not everything, it's not your whole life, it's not the end of the world. Trust me, you don't want to be the person who hits their peak in high school because it's truly not that serious. There's a lot more to life than just high school, so don't sweat it too much. Which leads me to my next point...
2. That does not mean it is not important.
Despite it being "just high school," that's no excuse to just not care at all. Grades and your GPA are important, especially if you want to be accepted into college. Each year of high school is important, no matter what anyone tells you. So, take it seriously, but don't lose too much sleep over that test and don't beat yourself up over that C- or whatever the case may be.
3. Stock up on AP/DC classes.
Many schools offer a large array of AP/DC classes for students to choose from. Take advantage if you have this opportunity, it's not one that everyone receives. These classes can give you college credit so that you are ahead of the game, and many classes are much cheaper when taken in high school rather than college. However, do not overload yourself with AP/DC, because you will struggle. Only take as much as you can handle without not taking any at all.
4. Getting a tutor does not make you any less intelligent than anyone else.
You may believe that having a tutor makes you dumb, but that could not be any farther from the truth. In most cases, having a tutor can give you the upper hand in a class. They can help you understand class work and may even predict what will be on the test and what you should be studying and focusing on. Remember, there is nothing wrong with ever asking for extra help.
5. Stay as organized as possible and come prepared.
This may seem like a no brainer, but staying organized is extremely crucial to success, and many people do not do this. Keep folders, notebooks, pencils and anything you may need for a class. You don't want to be the kid constantly asking for things from others. Using a planner is also a great idea so that you remember and can plan what needs to be done each night.
6. The friends you come in with will not be the friends you leave with, and that is okay.
You may swear up and down that these friends you have now going into freshman year will be your besties for the resties, but more likely than not, they will not be. On an off chance, maybe you are correct, but that is a very rare occurrence. Throughout these next four years you will change a lot, and your friends will too, and that's okay. You will meet so many new people who will become your friends. It's easier to accept it now than to try to fight it later on, trust me.
7. TALK TO NEW PEOPLE
Going off of my last point, talking to new people is essential to having a successful high school experience. Talking to new people can be overwhelming and frightening, especially is you're extremely shy like me, but it can also be a lot of fun to make new friends. So don't panic when you realize no one you know has the same lunch as you, play it cool and casually ask the nice girl sitting next to you in algebra what lunch she has. If it's the same as you, you're in luck! You just found someone to become friends with and someone to sit with at lunch.
8. Going to dances isn't lame.
Please do not get the idea in your head that you're "too cool" for dances. You're not. Some kids think that being "anti-dances" is cool so they can just watch movies and eat pizza while everyone else is at that "lame" dance. But you can do that any old night. Dances are fun, it's fun to get dressed up and take pictures and dance and listen to music. Even if you don't have a date, go with friends - you'll probably have a better time with them, anyways.
9. Joining clubs also isn't lame.
Joining clubs, especially as freshman, is a great way to meet new people who share similar interests with you. It's also a great way to get involved and truly be a part of your school. Many schools offer a large variety of clubs, so it's not too hard to find at least one that interests you. However, if you find that no clubs interest you to the point of joining, try creating your own. Oftentimes, all you need is a few friends and a staff member to make it happen.
10. Go to football games, basketball games, baseball games, etc.
I guess what I'm really trying to say with this one is show some school spirit and support your school's teams. Even if you don't understand football in the slightest, its still fun to grab some friends and go to the big game on a Friday night. Support the lesser appreciated sports too, such as tennis or swimming. The team members will appreciate your support more than you can imagine.
11. Your time in high school goes by faster than imaginable, so do your best to make the most of it.
Whatever you do, please do not spend your days wishing away high school. I know that it's not the most exciting part of your life but there will be days when you're out of high school that you wish you could go back to. At graduation, take a moment to breathe and to look around at all of the people that have gone through the past four years with you. Until then, make the best of your time there by making new friends and taking classes that interest you and joining extracurricular activities. Believe me, four years will be over in a blink.
I wish the best of luck to all the freshman starting high school soon! Enjoy it.
Sincerely,
A Class of 2016 graduate
