Remembering my first day of freshman year, I felt so excited yet completely unprepared. The shift from middle to high school is a daunting change, but it’s also the most memorable one. Everything was so new, and I found it difficult. I didn’t even like high school at first. As a sophomore, I laugh now, remembering how I struggled to find my classes, and would occasionally get lost in another classroom. Eventually, I was able to make my way around the school, get to my classes, and I even started to like high school. However, till you reach that point, here are a few tips to make the road a little less bumpy.
Get Involved and Explore:
This is your time to explore new clubs, subjects, and interests. Last year, I quickly joined all the clubs I was familiar with, but I missed some new clubs I’m eager to try this year. Whether it’s a sports team, choir, or whatever you’re interested in, it will help you find people who share the same interests as you, or maybe find an unexpected hobby. Personally, taking Ceramics this year was a new experience for me, because I never considered myself artistic. I ended up enjoying the class, despite how bizarre my creations came out.
Build Connections:
When I got my schedule for freshman year, I was upset since none of my friends had any classes with me. If you don’t have your friends in your class, take it as an opportunity to make new ones! I’m glad to say that I made new friends and talked with different people.[/pullquote] By the end of the year, the classes I dreaded the most, such as Honors Chemistry, became one of my most enjoyable ones. Be sure to also form a connection with your teacher in each class. Not only will it make the class more interesting, but you can ask the teacher for help with a recommendation letter or a college application in the future.
Consistency is Key:
It’s easy to get distracted when you enter high school, but consistency is important. It can be difficult to improve your grade last minute, during tests and finals. Especially in AP classes, classes at DVHS can be very fast-paced sometimes, making it very easy to fall behind. To avoid this, it’s better to make consistent study routines so you can stay updated. It may seem tempting to get easy assignments done, but by doing your harder assignments, you stay more focused and have more time. If you do miss an assignment, most teachers will be understanding and accommodating. Doing this also makes finals way less stressful, since you thoroughly know the content and you don’t have to rely on the finals to increase your grade.
Time Management:
It’s normal to get overwhelmed with academics, sports, and clubs. To avoid that, it’s important to develop the skill of time management. Make sure to balance your work with time for yourself. Try to get the majority of your work done in class, or student support, as, from experience, it is difficult to do your AP Bio lab assignment right after school. Complete tasks that are of higher priority first than lower ones. This skill will also keep you on top of your work, and allow you to see what you need to finish and have already finished. Starting these habits early is good for the later years of high school, when academics become more intense.
Prioritize your well-being:
Your well-being is just as important as your grades and extracurriculars. The goal in high school is not only to do well in your academics and extracurriculars but also to keep yourself happy and healthy. Make sure to give time for yourself outside of school, and never compromise sleep for work. It’s also completely okay if you feel like you can’t handle the load or need to drop something, in order to do your best work. At DV, there are numerous opportunities for you if you’re feeling stressed, like our Wellness Center, or the De-Stress Fest, where you can play with adorable bunnies. I know many people who beat themselves up for dropping , but it’s better to succeed in a few classes, than trying to juggle many things at once.
