So you made it into high school, now what? You made it though elementary and a couple years of middle school. Just like the transfer between Elementary and middle, it’s still a change that takes some getting used to. Now that you’re actual freshmen, we think it’s important to give you all some tips and tricks to be able to survive your time here at Terrace. I was able to make it through last year and I know you guys will too!
1 – You will lose friends but also gain new ones.
Having friends is something that can help you get through school, but I’m pretty sure you made friends in middle school. It might be sad when you lose some friends but it shouldn’t make you feel too bad when you lose one. If you want help making friends we recommend joining clubs that interest you, joining team sports, and even trying to talk to people in your classes. So don’t worry about trying to keep friendships, you can make new ones.
2 – Join clubs and sports you want to try.
Joining clubs and sports that interest you if you have time after school is a great way to make friends and have long-lasting memories. Especially competitive clubs with the possibility of conventions and trips. Competitive clubs can also possibly have good scholarship opportunities for you if you go to a place like nationals that some clubs like TSA have! If you don’t want the high effort clubs there are also lots of clubs that are much more casual and laid back. Along with that there are also student unions like BSU (Black Student Union) and GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) for people who they pertain to and people who support them with all welcome. If you don’t know what club to pick you can ask your friends if they are joining any or ask upperclassmen for ideas.
3 – Classes are going to get a whole lot harder.
Classes in middle school were hard, yes, but high school will be a whole new experience for you. You might have been told by your middle school teachers that your teachers here will be a lot harsher on deadlines and a late policy along with them saying you will have homework for every class. Yes that’s mostly true, but what most students aren’t prepared for is how hard the assignments can get at times like the mid terms for example. The silver lining though? Not all teachers are as strict as your middle school teachers made them out to be.
4 – Studying is important.
This goes into workload again, but it is important to study for classes even when you don’t have a test in the morning and you finally start studying at 10 p.m. Yes, that sometimes is able to pull off but let me tell you now before it gets into a habit, that isn’t a sustainable way to study especially when mid-finals and you have multiple tests on the same day.
I recommend at least 2 hours every week at a minimum especially if you have light homework for that week. You don’t even have to do it all in one sitting (I actually recommend you don’t!) if you don’t want to study on the weekends that is only around 25 minutes a day and if you are willing to work sometimes on the weekends? That’s only around 17 minutes per day. But of course when you have a big test coming up it should be more.
5 – Use advisory to its full extent.
Sometimes you have things to do right after school and that is totally okay, but that is why you should be using advisory as a place to actually do homework and study and not just as a break time. It’s not that you can’t use it as a nap time or a break time ever, just that it’s also a great time to get a headstart on homework and study independently. But don’t always rely on advisory as sometimes you have mandatory things to do in there like Naviance.
6 – Get comfortable with your teachers.
You might have most of your teachers all year so it is important to set up a comfortable trust to be able to ask them questions about the material. Asking questions about things you are confused by is important and most of the time your teachers will be happy to answer and help you. Your teachers will be with you for at least a semester and being able to trust them can help you not just learn from the marital but from what your teacher can help and support on your weak points. Another quick point? Just be honest with them, they are usually understanding.
7 – Hygiene is important.
You’re formal teens now, and if you didn’t start having body odor in middle school? You most likely will get it now, but it isn’t anything to be ashamed or embarrassed about! Everyone goes through changes and odor isn’t one of them. Showers in the morning or night every 1 to 2 days, deodorant every morning or reapply as needed, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer after using the bathroom or before eating are examples of good hygiene. If you do sports be sure to also remember that working out might need you to shower more often!
I get it, being in high school is stressful, but you’re also not the only one who is confused and scared!
You were able to get through being new to middle school and you will do good here. It’s all about self confidence and the ability to persevere when it gets hard.
If you still need help, the councilors here at the school will be happy to help you with school or personal needs you might have.
Now we hope you enjoy your time here at Terrace Class of 2029!
