How to Start a High School Freshman Year the Right Way

You've just finished middle school and are at the top of the student ladder, but you've realized that come the end of summer, you have to go back to the bottom rung. For a number of reasons ranging from academic to social, high school is intimidating. Now is a good time to think about putting some strategies in place for starting your freshman year the right way.

Instructions

1. Plan to attend freshman orientation. Some schools hold orientation at the end of the school year for eighth graders, and some schedule it for the end of the summer. Whenever yours is happening, make sure you go so that you can familiarize yourself with the layout of the school and meet other incoming freshmen.

2. Talk with upperclassmen. If you know any upperclassmen or meet some at orientation, get them talking about their experiences in the high school. They can fill you in on extracurricular activities, the fastest routes to your classes and study tips that work for them, and you'll get to know someone you can rely on for information.

3. Prepare yourself for more work. It's time to accept that starting high school means a larger workload. Don't panic: you're building on skills you already have, but you'll be expected to work more independently and you'll have more assignments to tackle.

4. Reassess your study habits. Once you've gotten your class requirements, you can take some time at home to figure out when and how much you'll need to study. You may already have great study habits and won't have to adjust all that much, or you may have to cut out some down time to make room for your increased workload.

5. Spread your wings. Starting high school marks a new time in your life and there will be many more extracurricular opportunities to choose from. Round out your freshman education by joining a new sport or club to nurture your interests and to make new friends.

6. Seek help when necessary. If you've done everything you can to start your freshman year the right way and still find that you're having trouble with your grades or adjusting socially, see your guidance counselor. He's trained as an expert in all things high school and should be able to get you on track or get you additional help for a great freshman year.

Tips & Warnings

• While it's tempting to join a lot of new activities in high school, don't overbook yourself; make sure to schedule in some "do-nothing" time.

• Even though your teen sensibilities have you pulling away from your parents, keep them in the loop and go to them when you're having trouble. They've been there and can help you.