Hello friends! Welcome to the first Two Minute Talk Tuesday of the school year!
I know that U.S. public schools start at different times—some in August and others in September—but this advice should be useful for most students.
Today I will share TEN TIPS FOR BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL!
Whether you are entering your freshman year or becoming a senior, there will be suggestions for all! Let’s begin.
- Bring a pack of gum! This will come in handy after lunch, or even to make friends. Just offer your neighbor a piece and you can start having a conversation from there! Ask their name afterward, and a few questions to get to know them. Generosity is a great way to make a good first impression.
- Be polite to teachers, say good morning/afternoon, and thank them when they hand you something or help you with something. People call this “sucking up” to a teacher, but I personally disagree. Respect should be a given, and it’ll benefit you tons. If your teacher likes you, they’re more likely to trust you and allow you to get out of small things.
- Need an extra day for an assignment? If it’s not an AP class, or you have a lenient teacher teaching your AP class, you can tell them you need an extra day because your mental health hasn’t been the best. Make sure to let them you’re stressed and overwhelmed with work and would appreciate an extra day. It may not always work, but it often does. Make sure to be genuine and not lie about this, and don’t overuse this excuse.
- Ask questions. This one is so simple, but many students shy away from asking questions because it may feel embarrassing. At the end of the day though, it’s your grade. If you need help, you shouldn’t care how you look to others when asking for the guidance you need. Also, if someone is judging you for something so silly, it’s not worth trying to please them. I repeat, it’s your grade! You need to understand the material to learn and pass tests! P.S. Teachers like students that are engaged and ask questions. It shows you are paying attention and care about the work.
- That leads me into my next point, which is engagement. Not going to lie, people look down on hard workers and label them as “try-hards.” Maybe because they get validation from a statement that puts down those who actually try in school. 😆 Anyway, participation is very important in your learning. When you involve yourself in class discussions and assignments, you will absorb more information. Additionally, your teacher will be proud of your hard work!
- Stay after school for tutoring if necessary. A big part of high school is managing your time wisely. If you need extra practice with a subject, some schools and teachers offer tutoring. Choosing to spend time at a tutoring lesson rather than hanging out with friends or going home to sleep is a good form of discipline that will be helpful throughout high school. Plus, why not seize these opportunities to help you grasp the material better and potentially get a better grade on your next exam?
- Have fun and go to school events. One of the biggest regrets many of my senior friends have are not going to school events. This includes pep rallies, football games, school spirit days, homecoming, prom, Junior Takeover, and more. These events keep school lively and interesting, so why miss out on them? Although it’s not some people’s cup of tea, I think these events tend to be exciting and really enhance school spirit. Why not go to them and check them out? If you don’t like them, at least you know you’re not missing out on anything.
- Join clubs and sports. There are many extracurriculars offered at most schools that may pique your interest. Usually, they help create new friendships and strengthen your college application. Colleges tend to like when applicants have diversity in their lives, including an interest out of school. Note: This doesn’t need to be a school club or sport. You can also practice things outside of school to include on your application!
- Enjoy your life outside of school. It’s important to take the pressure off yourself at times in order to relax and destress. Overworking yourself can lead to burnout which can have great negative effects on your well-being and performance in school. Doing enjoyable things, whether alone or with friends, makes H.S. more memorable.
- And lastly, choose necessary classes, but also classes that interest you. If you’re not interested in the subject, you probably won’t retain as much information as you would otherwise. Don’t only take easy classes either; challenge yourself!
That is all, and I’m wishing you lots of luck this year! 🤞
Read more about extracurriculars here: The Bonus of Extracurricular Activities 🏃♀️ – Nicole’s Everything Blog (nicoleseverything.com)
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