With August just around the corner, I'm sure you all have seen the back to school sale advertisements on TV and the internet. As a rising junior with two years of public high school under her belt, I consider myself pretty knowledgeable on the topic of high school. Here are my tips and tricks to navigating this tricky time in your life.
1. Don't be afraid to make new friends!
My first high school experience actually started in July, when band camp started. I didn't really know anyone, and I showed up on that first day in July scared and alone. However, I quickly realized that other people were in the same exact boat as I was, and we bonded over common interests like marching band, good food, and nerdy TV shows. I still kept my old friends from middle school, but I also expanded my friend circle to include freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors from the band program.
2. Talk to a school counselor about your schedule if you have any concerns.
When I first filled out my high school course selections sheet in the spring of eighth grade, I was worried about how I would manage the homework load of advanced classes. My eighth grade teachers had all recommended me for advanced classes, but I was wary of taking Honors Biology, as I didn't care much for science. I stupidly requested to be in the regular science class, and I quickly realized my mistake. Now, however, I talk it out with my counselor either through email or in person, and now I take all advanced courses!
3. If you can manage the workload, take AP classes!
Sophomores at my high school have the option of taking the Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics course to fulfill their Social Studies credit requirement. I took it this past school year, and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who's had teachers recommend that they take it. Not only did the class rekindle my interest in politics, but I also managed to get a 5 on the AP exam! This "5" means that I am pretty much guaranteed college credit for that class at any university that I go to. Because of my positive experience with the AP program this past year, I'm taking four AP classes this upcoming year!
4. Pack your own lunch every day. You'll thank me later.
At my slightly overcrowded high school, lunch is basically a free-for-all. You have to get there as soon as the bell rings to release you if you want to have any chance of getting your food in a timely manner. For some reason. the chicken sandwich line in my high school cafeteria is always busy. We get less than 30 minutes for lunch if you calculate travel time, so this means that some students simply don't have time to eat their school lunch that they just spent $3 on. My solution? Bring your lunch every day! It'll be fresher, cheaper, and much tastier than the school food. Just don't bring microwaveable foods if you can avoid it. That line is often worse than the regular food lines!
5. Make friends with your teachers!
Your schedule gets REAL busy once high school starts, and teachers understand. If you have any problems with a due date for an assignment, come to the teacher before hand, and explain your reasoning for an extension. Most of the time, the teacher will be happy to work something out with you.
This will also be beneficial when you have to have recommendation letters for college applications, so be nice to your teachers and pay attention in class!
6. Write your homework down every day!
Either buy yourself a planner or use your phone's calendar, but you NEED to write down your assignments every day! I don't care if you have the mind of an elephant; you're gonna forget an assignment at one point or another. And that's okay, since you've already made friends with your teachers. Right?
7. Understand that everyone else is going through this with you.
Understandably, you'll feel alone in high school. It's easy to think that nobody else has it as rough as you, whether it be dealing with bad grades, mean teachers, or petty drama, but you need to remember that you do have options. Reach out to that school counselor that helped you squeeze another AP class into your schedule. Talk to your geometry teacher about how you can bump up your grades before the semester final. Strike up a conversation with that quiet kid that sits in the back of your English class. Just don't force yourself to be alone.
High school is a crazy yet wonderful experience, and I know that I'll look back on these years fondly. Hopefully, with these tips, you'll have a great, or at least mildly pleasant, experience as well!
