How to Survive Your Freshman Year in High School

Freshman year is a crucial time in your life. You have finally grown out of middle school, and it is now time to hang with the big kids. These simple tips will help you get through that oh-so-stressful freshman year, and maybe even have some fun.

Steps [edit]Make good first impressions, especially on teachers. The impressions you make during the first week of school affect the entire school year…with most teachers, if they get it in their heads that you’re a good student early on, you can get away with murder later. Be sure to be on time for every class during this short period of judgment. When all of your teachers hand you those silly little syllabus papers to get signed, carefully present it to your teacher the very next day. (Even though it is almost cruelly easy to forget, TRY.) In regards to your fellow classmates; be yourself. It is important to earn the respect and companionship of your peers early on in the school year.

Find a group of people to sit with at lunch – as soon as possible. The lunch “break” that high-schoolers are allowed is, at first, one of the most stressful experiences of the beginning of the year. If you spot some of your middle school friends gathering together at a table, join in. Be aware, though, that these seating arrangements are often permanent. Pick your table wisely.

Find someone who you can follow to class. If John Doe is in both your first and second periods, then he can help you find your way to your next class. High Schools are big and scary at first, so it can’t hurt to have your own personal tour guide through your labyrinth of a school. If your classmate is as lost as you are, at least you won’t be lost alone.

Be nice to upper-classmen. As a freshman, you have absolutely no status. You are the scum of the school. Most upperclassmen would be perfectly happy if you just went away. Do not try to be friends with upperclassmen unless you have obtained a prior relationship, or if they approach you first. If an upper-classman invites conversation, approach with caution. Most upper-classmen are warm and friendly, but the occasional freshman-hater is thrown in the mix.

Do not procrastinate. The sooner you get things done, the more time you will have to do the things you like to do. No matter how much you would love to plop down in front of the T.V. after a hard day, try to get to work as soon as possible.

You need your friends for survival. Do not let go. Friends are your lifejackets in the shipwreck of high school — without them, you could sink. Everyone needs someone to lean on and someone who cares. Never, EVER start unnecessary drama among your friends, and do not try to work your way into a more popular clique. (Chances are, they won’t respect you anyway, and you risk losing your REAL friends.) Stick with those who know you best and like you for who you are.

Accept change. Accept change in your friends. Accept change in your school. Accept change in your teachers. Accept change in your homework. Accept change in yourself. High school is a huge landmark in life, and from here on out, there’s no going back. Do not try to keep things from changing, because change is good. Watch people around you become who they are going to be.

Many people find flashcards helpful studying tools. Flashcards are one of the most efficient ways of studying because by making them, you have already begun to study. Writing down the questions and answers on note cards helps the information stick in your brain just long enough to take that pesky midterm. (of course, they aren’t for everybody)

Immerse yourself in some sort of extracurricular activity. Fall sports that begin before school are always a plus because they allow you to meet new people and make new friends before school even begins. High school is a great time to figure out what you are interested in, and follow your interests through clubs and sports. These activities are also a crucial part of your college application. As more and more people apply to colleges every year, colleges become more and more focused on the smaller details, such as your extracurricular activities.

Bring lunch. This is almost self-explanatory. School lunch is usually DISGUSTING! If you do happen to forget your lunch, opt for vending machines and pre-packaged foods – just to be on the safe side. Even if you don’t find school lunch to be all that repulsive, those around you probably will. Nothing is less appetizing than the fake throw-up sounds of your tablemates as they sniff your taco pie.

Tips [edit]Relax! Try not to get yourself too worked up about that test you bombed or the homework you left in your printer at home.

Use your locker. Not only do you look like a hunchback, toting all of your books around on your back, but it can’t be very comfortable either. Find which times of the day are best for you to go to your locker.

You’ve heard it a million times, but actually do it! Be Yourself! Make sure that people like you for who you are, rather than who you are pretending to be.

Do not write your locker combination on your hand. Really. Keep it in an inconspicious, easily accessible place that doesn’t touch soap.

Girls- It’s okay to have a mirror in your locker and check your appearance quickly. Don’t worry, it doesn’t make you vain. Keep extra hairties and such in case of bad hair days, they happen.

Enjoy yourself! Freshman year can be so much fun if you choose to make it so.

Warnings [edit]Be aware of the ever famous “Freshman Friday”. This is where the upper-classman will beat the daylights out of you. Very few freshmen actually get beaten up on these days, but (boys especially) should be on the lookout. Be extra nice to the seniors in your classes.

Don’t try to be something you are not. Posers are never well respected.

We all send the occasional text message during class, but avoid, at all costs, eagle eyes of a teacher. Some teachers may only warn you, some may take your phone for the period, and some may even hang onto it for the whole day. Don’t let this happen to you!

Keep your locker(s) locked at all times. High school theft is not uncommon.

Beware of some sophomores – some have a strangely intense hatred for freshman – a hatred stronger than that of the other classes.Others may like you and want to go out with you.

Freshman year is a new start with a clean slate. Make it what you want. The key is to get involved in school. Join a club, a sport, student council anything that sounds fun to you. The more involved you are at school the more you care about it the more fun it is to go. High school work is not really that hard. Stay on top of your assignments and turn them in and you will do great. Plan to spend an hour a night on homework and set it aside as study time (no phone, TV, radio, or computer chats) Most of the time you will not need the whole hour but it is a great habit. the first part of the year will appear really easy as teacher review but stay focused the new stuff starts 6-8 weeks in. One third of the freshman class will fail 2 or more classes and be freshman again next year or drop out so you really need a good start. Oh, don’t worry about being a freshman, nobody really cares what grade your in once your there.

Be friendly to everyone. Get on everyone’s good sides. And most importantly, don’t try to be someone you aren’t.

you should not act like you are better then everyone else