What should I Know About My Freshman Year In High School?

Your freshman year will seem daunting, and probably a bit scary. The key is to focus on getting settled first. Know where things are, where people are, etc. After you find your comfort zone, branch out and meet new people. Don’t be afraid to get involved in activities. Don’t think that your involvement seems nerdy, but instead eager. That stuff you do in high school translates to a nice resume builder later on. Throughout everything, make sure you are happy with what is going on. Classes, friends, activities should all be in line with what you want to get out of it, naturally enjoyment and success. Enjoy your 1st year of H.S.!

How was your Middle School ? Your High School should be similar.

You will have many teachers and more students, so you are responsible for learning to get along with many more different people.

Everyone is scared of all the new things. Each person handles it differently. Some people will be nice and some people will act too cool, so that people won’t see that they are scared. Introduce yourself, work hard to remember everyone’s name, and stay upbeat, with a snese of humor about yourself.

Try to join a few very different clubs, so that you get a wide exposure to many different types of friends. Remember that you are starting at the bottom of the ladder,a gain… so sit back and listen – rather than talk – and pitch in to help, when possible.

This probably wont be much help to you now, but everyone made it sound like freshmen year was going to suck because people would be so mean and stuff. Yeah it def. was not like that. Mostly we were just left alone. It was actually one of the best years of high school. So when people talk big about how “omg wow your a frosh”, dont even take it to heart.

I guess just be aware that it will be different from what you’re used to. Be openminded & join lots of clubs/teams/activities to get to know people & get involved.

Is it a totally new high school, meaning you do not know any one, or a high school in your town? Let’s try the totally new one, and you can cut half of my advices to the other situation.

First thing, your parents need to register you. During the registration, your counselor will evaluate your middle school grades, state test scores to determine levels of core courses you should take. Most of high school do not give freshman a lot of room for electives; which is good for freshman because you won’t have too many classes sitting with upper classman. Your counselor also will ask you of history of special service to determine whether he/she needs to call a PPT or 504 meeting.

After the registration, you should ask the counselor to tour the campus. You can always go to high school in summer and walk around. The more you get yourself familiar with the physical environment the less anxiety you will have when you follow the schedule to change classrooms for different courses.

Ask to take out a yearbook if possible. You can always find updated yearbook in the town library. You will find the happiest faces in the world in the yearbook, you will find all kinds of sports/clubs you can join in the yearbook, and most important you can find teachers’ faces in there. Well, some pictures are historically old.

Ask for an Agenda Book or Student Handbook. Most school update them during summer, but you can easily find it in the school website. Pay attention to the “Attendance Policies”. High School is credit oriented, poor attendance will affect your ability to earn credits. You won’t like it happen. You also should pay attention to the “Make-Up” work policies regardless your health condition. Read carefully about the amount of time allowed to make up work, points deducted from make-up work or late work. Please keep in mind, all these regulations are to keep students in the safe enviornment and to be fair for students who takes school committment seriously. You will feel so rewarding when you get school work done on time.

Some sports/clubs start a week before school starts. Check it out with counselor or secretary in the main office as soon as possible. You will need health record and parental permission for playing sports. Don’t fall behind of the schedule. Sports and clubs are full of school spirit, you will feel included and become proud of your school.

How about the summer reading? Lots of high schools give summer reading to incoming freshman. Again, check the website or ask secretaries. Often time, the summer reading is part of the classroom activities or even test for the first quarter.

The most important part of your high school life is grades. Every grade counts, homework, quiz, test, and examination. If you are going to colleges, freshman year grades are as important as any other years. Your level of courses taken in the sophomore year is decided by your freshman performance, grades. The higher level of course you can get to, the more “grade points” you can earn and the higher “grade points average” and class rank you can get. College admission office look at level of courses high school students have taken, what courses have been taken, and grades of academic courses. So, getting in challenging courses is critical.

The last and the most abstract but important advice: skills of time management and ability of self-discipline are key elements to succeed in high school. High School teachers are not baby sitters, you are expected to be organized and accoutable. Do you have these skills? If you have started your summer readings on a well planned schedule, you have been cleaning your desk and room, helping Mom/Dad out with family chores, taking care of your pets, or doing whatever you said you would do, you are on the mark to start a wonderful high school career.

Did I just put you on the edge? If so, I am not surprised, but I sense you are one of the many good students who want to succeed in high school. Right?

Think about this:

Would you prefer to be on the edge now or September?

You will be taken advantage of, so take everything with a grain of salt