How to Prepare for Freshman Year
It seems like you just changed schools from elementary school to middle school; now it's time already for another transition as you prepare for your freshman year in high school. Even if you don't think that it will be that big of a change, there are several differences in course loads and independence. Read on to see how you can better prepare for your high school career.
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Instructions
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Select your freshman curriculum. This year, you'll have the opportunity to choose a few electives that eighth grade didn't allow. Sit down with your parents and guidance counselor to make informed decisions.
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Plan on attending freshman orientation day. Almost all high schools offer an orientation day, which often splits students from parents. While your parents are hearing from administrators, you'll most likely be touring the halls with peer counselors, trying out lockers and meeting some teachers.
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Walk through your schedule. Once you've chosen your courses and gone to orientation, your new freshman schedule should arrive at the end of the summer. Go to the school as soon as it opens and follow your schedule from room to room, from first through last period to prepare for your first day.
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Allow for some changes to former habits. Your old routines and study habits that you've used in past years may not work anymore. High school offers you more independence with a heavier load, so plan to change your study times and increase the number of hours you study to ensure success in all your classes.
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Ask for help in getting organized which is essential to keeping track of homework assignments, projects, quizzes and tests. Learn new organizational techniques from your parents, teachers or guidance counselors for tips and tools to reorganize your notebooks, folders, locker and home study area to tackle your heavier workload.
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Tips & Warnings
As you enter a new stage in your life and start to want more freedom, work on gaining and keeping your parents' trust.
High school offers a lot of extracurricular activities, so open yourself up to trying new things during your freshman year.
Although you're older, your parents will probably feel the need to know more about you, your friends and your social activities, so be ready and be patient with them.
