Let’s face it – leaving behind the familiarity of grade-wide Agora meetings and the three flights of stairs of Fieldston Middle for completely new teachers, classes and a high school building is inevitably scary, but it is especially nerve-racking for incoming freshmen who are not coming from Fieldston Middle. If you are a rising ninth-grade student reading this, please note that I was equally as scared entering high school as you might be. Not only did I survive, but I also enjoyed my first year of high school, and I am here to share four valuable pieces of advice on how to make the transition easier and achieve the same success.
1. Feed your Interests
At the beginning of the school year, I encourage you to sign up for every club that interests you. (I think that I signed up for at least twenty!) This does not mean that you have to attend every single meeting, but at least you have the opportunity to, and then you can narrow them down. Whether it is something you are already passionate about or know nothing about, joining and taking part in a club not only helps you meet new people with similar interests, but simultaneously makes you a better version of yourself.
2. Don’t Procrastinate
I’m sure that you are often told not to procrastinate, and that it is still something you unintentionally do. What has helped me to avoid procrastination is to think about how much happier I will feel once I get my work done. This results in having more time to do whatever else, as opposed to procrastinating and having to cram everything in last minute. It helps to leave any unnecessary devices in a different room and develop study habits that work for you. I find the Pomodoro Technique to be helpful, as it involves devoting 25-minute intervals to completing tasks and 5-minute breaks in between each.
3. Be a Friend to Everyone
It is important to genuinely get to know the people in your grade and beyond. When you are kind to and take the time to talk to someone, it makes them happy, and you establish a meaningful relationship. There is truly no reason not to be nice because these are the people you are going to spend the next four years of your life with, and you can make the best possible experience for everyone by creating a positive environment.
4. Live in the Moment
If you forget everything else, this last tip is what you should remember the most because I think it is the most essential to your high school experience. You are only going to be in high school once, which is why you should actively make decisions that move yourself forward every day. Every choice that you make will somehow contribute to what happens next – stay present, work hard, and enjoy yourself by finding value in this next chapter of your life! With that being said, good luck (although I know you don’t need it) and see you in high school!
