First Day of High School Tips- Freshman Year Advice
Starting high school is a very exciting, but somewhat daunting, time. Lots of students worry about the transition from middle school to high school. If you’re feeling nervous about making friends or adjusting to a new routine, you are definitely not alone – these nerves are totally normal! Even so, being prepared on your first day of high school will help ease your apprehensions about this great new chapter in your academic life.
Here are our 10 top tips on how to prepare for your first day of high school and to start your freshman year off on the right foot.
1. Organize your mind.
Write down everything on paper that is making you feel anxious or uneasy about your first day of school. This may be to do with socializing or being prepared for your classes. Seeing your anxieties written down in front of you allows you to start thinking of solutions without your mind spiraling. The next step is to categorize these worries into what you can and can’t control.
With what you can control (i.e. making sure you have the right equipment), draw an arrow and write down an action task – something you can do to translate this worry into an action/solution. With what you can’t control, (being in a bigger school), take some time to
unpick why this is causing you anxiety and then let it go. Half of surviving freshman year is figuring out how to manage your stress and anxiety about it!
This is easier said than done, but spending time worrying provides no solution other than stressing yourself out even more. Take a deep breath and focus on what you can control. Feeling particularly anxious? Try a student meditation offered by MyStudyZen to find a sense of calm.
2. Make sure you’ve got everything you need.
There is a lot to organize when starting a new school. Your school should provide you with a back to school supplies list of everything you will need to bring or wear in advance, but don’t hesitate to try some extra tools that may be helpful. Some students like having a whiteboard in their bedroom to study with, others like colored pens and notebooks. Freshman year is a good time to try to figure out what study tools are the best fit for you as your workload changes. More comfortable with a digital tool? Try out a note-taking device to improve your productivity.
It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with your class schedule ahead of time so that you are familiar with when you have certain classes. Take some time to input all of your classes into MyStudyLife’s calendar and turn on reminders so that you can take some pressure off yourself to memorize your schedule. Once you start getting homework, avoid procrastination by adding them to your schedule right away and setting yourself due dates to make sure you stay ahead of the game.
3. Prepare yourself the night before.
Preparing everything the night before allows you to simply get ready without much thought or rushing around. This means, laying out your uniform or your first day of school outfit, charge your laptop for school, packing your school bag, setting an alarm and getting lots of sleep. Pack a healthy lunch for yourself filled with brain foods to give yourself enough energy for the day. You’ll want to make the morning of your first day of high school as easy as possible, and not worry about whether you’ve forgotten to pack a pencil case.
4. Plan your route to school.
Another aspect of moving from middle school to high school will be taking a new route in the mornings. You may even be travelling to school without your parents, which can feel daunting. Especially before you start your first day of high school, be sure to plan your route to avoid a stressful journey on the day and consider taking a practice trip to figure out your timings. Having a travel buddy is also a great way to break the ice before you’ve even arrived.
5. Be yourself.
I am sure you will have heard this tip before and it certainly can be a lot harder than it sounds, but there’s a reason everybody says it. There is nothing worse than wondering whether you’ll be liked in a new environment or if you’ll fit in, and as an incoming freshman this is usually everyone’s biggest worry. Just remember that your classmates will all be feeling the same way, no matter how much it may not seem like it. In order to find like-minded friends you need to stay true to yourself because there’s nothing better than having friends you can fully be yourself around. High school inevitably has a lot of peer pressure as everyone is trying to figure out who they are, but having a solid group of friends you can lean on makes this a lot easier.
6. Keep multiple copies of your class schedule.
In high school you’re given a lot more independence and responsibility when it comes to attending your classes. Keeping copies of your class schedule at home and in your school bag makes sure you can get to your lessons on time, in the correct room and with the right materials. If you prefer something on your phone or computer, the MyStudyLife digital planner app can help you set up your schedule on both your laptop and/or phone, so you’ll never have to worry about losing it.
You can make a good first impression on your teachers by staying organized. At the same time, your teachers will understand that navigating a new environment and school building will take time to adjust to, so don’t be afraid to ask where your classrooms are if you get lost. On the first day of high school, odds are a lot of people will be feeling the same.
7. On your first day of high school- don’t be afraid to introduce yourself.
One of our best tips for freshman entering high school is to take the lead when trying to make new friends. Chances are everyone else is feeling shy, so being extra friendly is a great way to settle into your new classes and find people you click with. All it takes is a quick hello! Even comparing class schedules or asking what kind of study music they like can be a helpful way to break the ice.
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8. Try some of the clubs and extracurricular activities on offer.
School is not just about keeping on top of your studies, it’s equally important to explore some clubs that can expand your interests and hobbies. Clubs provide a great opportunity to meet people with the same interests as you, and it also allows you to take a breather from the stresses of school life. With the fresh start of a new school year, maybe even try joining an extracurricular club doing something that you’ve never done before, whether that be art, sport or maybe a new language. You’ve got nothing to lose!
9. Advice to freshman: your teachers are there to help you.
Entering high school, you may find that teachers are covering material that you’ve never come across before or teaching at a faster pace than you are used to. It is normal to feel anxious about this and it is important to remember that the only way to progress and get better is to ask questions and make mistakes. The sooner you get over the hurdle of putting up your hand in class, the more you’ll get used to it. Always remember- there is no judgement coming from your teachers, they just want to make sure you can reach your potential.
10. Enjoy it!
Our most important freshman year tip is that as scary as back to school season can be, starting a new school is exciting and an amazing opportunity to learn and grow your confidence. Once you have made sure you’re prepared in every way you can, all there’s left to do is throw yourself in and start your first day of high school with a positive attitude. You’ve got this!
The Ultimate School Planner
The My Study Life online student planner enables you to keep track of all your classes, tasks, assignments and exams – anywhere, on any device. My Study Life will organize your academic life for you, ensuring that you never miss a piece of homework, or forget a class.
