High School Survival Guide: How to Thrive from Day One
Ah, the transition from middle to high school; where an individual begins to explore more of their identity, and interests and is challenged to prepare for adulthood while also ensuring they pass their Physics exam. Some people remember high school as the “best days of their lives” and others are glad it’s over. No matter what your experience was like, we can all recall that starting high school was exciting but also full of anxiety.
Embracing the High School Experience
When you transition to high school, you may have some friends enrolled in the same school as you, or you may be attending a school where you don’t know anyone, either way, here are some tips to help you make a smooth transition:
Work on your time-management skills.
High schools typically have 3-8 periods a day (depending on the schedule), which will result in having some assignments to work on during and after school. Be sure to practice managing your time so that you are on top of your work. Being more organized and aware of your deadlines may help reduce the anxiety of completing work last minute or forgetting it completely. Here are some ways to develop your time-management skills:
Get familiar with using a calendar. See if you prefer a paper calendar, using your phone or device, or maybe even making your own!
Schedule time to study for your classes. The more you study something, the higher the likelihood you will retain it for a longer period (Cowan, 2008).
Try to organize your daily tasks as a to-do list.
Learn when you need to prioritize your studies over spending time with friends.
Limit your distractions in your workspace.
Take breaks!
Seek advice from your older peers.
If you have friends or family members who have already made the transition, don’t be afraid to ask them what their experience was like going from middle to high school. Having that perspective can prepare you for what to expect when you begin.
Create goals for yourself.
Try to create a goal for yourself to accomplish by the end of each school year or by the time that you graduate. Make sure these goals are SMART (specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and timely). Make sure this is somewhere accessible and visible, and don’t be afraid to tweak your goals if you change your mind along the way!
Participate!
Explore new clubs or sports! Challenge yourself to take an elective you have always been interested in! Now is the perfect time to try new things and meet friends along the way. Trying new things not only helps build a community, it is also helpful for college applications!
Participate in internships, this is a great opportunity to see the reality of a job interest you may have.
Learn how to handle peer pressure.
It is perfectly normal to want to fit in with everyone at school, but you shouldn’t have to risk going against your personal values to do so. Identify what your values are and learn when you should say no. Here are some tips to help combat peer pressure:
Find friends that you are proud to associate with, and that do not challenge you to do things you think are wrong. Do not forget that friends should not put their friends in danger.
Learn to say “no” when you don’t want to participate. It’s better to not be “cool” in the moment than to do something that may affect the rest of your life.
Avoid getting into situations that are hard to get out of.
Trust your gut.
Know when you’re at your limit.
Build your friendships.
Whether you start high school with your best friend, or you make friends throughout the year, work on your friendships. Identify if a friendship is harming you or the other person and either fix or end those, and build friendships with the individuals you can be yourself around and who can do the same around you.
Cultivate strong relationships with your community.
Teachers, counselors, coaches, and other community members can also help make the transition much easier. These individuals can help with advice, guidance, support, and encouragement. These relationships can also benefit you with references or letters of recommendation for college and job applications. Building these relationships can also help you with networking in the future!
Learn to manage your stress!
High school will have its own set of challenges. It is very normal to experience anxiety during this time of your life. Experiment with trying coping mechanisms in school so that you know the most effective ones by the time you graduate. Some ways to help cope with stress that you can try are:
Being outside as often as you can.
Daily journaling.
Exercising regularly and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Sleep a healthy amount - teens should get about 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night.
Practice relaxation exercises like yoga or guided meditation.
Identify your support system and lean on them when needed.
“Whether you’re excited or nervous about the change, the high school experience is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. If you are still feeling anxious regarding this change or would like to prepare for it more, Movement Counseling + Wellness has individuals excited to help you along the way! ”
Suggested resources for the transition from Middle to High School:
Source:
Cowan N. (2008). What are the differences between long-term, short-term, and working memory?. Progress in brain research, 169, 323–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6123(07)00020-9