Freshman year of high school is something we all have to go through, whether we like it or not. It can be extremely intimidating and nerve-wracking during one’s transition from middle school to high school, but there is no need to stress. There are seemingly endless reasons to worry about freshman year of high school, such as getting good grades, making friends, and fitting in. If any of these things sound familiar, do not worry about it. There are countless ways in which you can ease your worries and absolutely crush your freshman year; here are just a few of them.
#1 - Pay attention during Orientation. Freshman orientation is where most information needed for freshman year of high school is found, such as giving a tour of the school, meeting fellow students, and the school’s schedule. It may seem boring, but pay close attention to the information given; as most of it is important to know.
#2 - Stay organized. Get a weekly planner and use it to write down test dates and homework due dates to stay on top of things. To go along with the planner, make sure to have either a binder or folder to keep track of your assignments and to keep them all in one place.
#3 - Be friendly with Your teachers. Having good relationships with teachers is extremely important, as being on their good side will make life a lot easier. Complete every assignment given, and be sure to ask questions. If teachers see that an effort is being made in their class, they are more likely to be lenient and understanding.
#4 - Find extracurricular activities You enjoy. Sports and clubs make high school a lot more enjoyable, and they are a great way to meet new people. Sports and clubs are just big groups of people with the same or similar interests, which makes it easy to make new friends. Do not act “too cool” for school events; high school does not last forever.
#5 - Ask for help if needed. People will help out if asked, but it is expected that they are asked first. Do not be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, or teachers. Struggling in a class can be easily changed by simply asking for help. No teacher wants to see their students fail; even if it seems like it.
#6 - Show up on time. Coming to class late is a pretty silly reason to get in trouble, so make sure to get to class on time. Not only could it result in some form of discipline from the school, it can also be easy to miss out on valuable information given at the beginning of class.
#7 - Be Kind to Your Body. - Getting plenty of rest is essential for a successful day at school. Being exhausted at school makes it really hard to pay attention in class and actually learn the material. Not only this, but a lack of sleep can make the day seem like it’s been dragging on forever.
#8 - Ask questions in Class. If nobody else is asking questions in the class, that does not always mean everyone fully understands the material. It is likely that there are more than a few other students in your class with the same question, but are too afraid to ask. Do yourself a favor and ask questions.
#9 - Do your homework. Getting your homework done will help to reinforce knowledge learned in class, and it helps to boost your grade as well. If you cannot get the homework done before the due date, it is important not to get discouraged and to get it done and turned in for partial credit. Something is better than nothing.
#10 - Avoid Drugs and Alcohol. Realistically, there is nothing cool or fun about ruining your body. It is possible you will have encounters with drugs and alcohol while in high school, and it is extremely important to realize how much better off you will be if you choose to abstain from drugs and alcohol. If you ever find yourself in a situation where drugs and alcohol are present, simply remove yourself.
#11 -Know that the Year Counts. Some people falsely believe that freshman year is not as important as other years of high school, but the truth is that it is just as important as any other year. Colleges look at and judge your academic performance from all years of high school; not just the years after freshman year. Keep this in mind when you decide not to turn in that one assignment simply because “freshman year is not important.”
Hopefully, these tips have helped to ease the worries brought on by freshman year, and increased confidence about the first day of school. If this list has not helped to ease the school-induced anxiety, just know this: you are not the only one feeling this way. Most people are overcome with worries and anxiety before beginning their freshman year, but there really is nothing to worry about. Keep these tips in mind, do not overthink it, and freshman year will be a breeze.